IOWA CITY, Iowa — With seven composite four-stars and its highest nationwide recruiting rating in 16 years, Iowa’s 2021 class took on the position as a foundation-setting group.

One 12 months into this system, three early enrollees turned starters as true freshmen and the heart of that 19-member group seem poised to dent the Hawkeyes’ depth chart this fall.

Connor Colby turned solely the fifth true freshman to begin alongside the offensive line below Kirk Ferentz, and his 11 begins are three greater than any of Iowa’s rookie linemen. Keagan Johnson (9) and Arland Bruce IV (4) joined 4 earlier true freshmen to begin at huge receiver. Defensive again Cooper DeJean competed in Iowa’s last seven video games, whereas walk-on lengthy snapper Luke Elkin performed in each recreation however one.

These 5 true sophomores from the nation’s Twenty fourth-ranked recruiting class will serve a crucial position this fall. The opposite second-year gamers will develop at their very own tempo, however many have proven their trajectory parallels that of their classmates. In the event that they catch up, this group may pay main dividends this season.

“Everyone seems to be at a special stage of their growth,” offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz mentioned. “We’re a developmental program. So, I can’t stroll into a gathering room and count on the identical issues. Everybody’s not on the identical degree.

“If we’re instructing a category, we bought some guys which are in primary math. We’ve bought some guys that are actually Algebra II and there’s most likely some AP Calc guys in there, too. So, you’re making an attempt to succeed in all people within the room.”

Such is the case with Iowa’s six scholarship second-year offensive linemen. Colby (6-6, 310) was named a first-team freshman All-American by The Athletic and FWAA. Beau Stephens (6-6, 300) labored with the varsity, noticed motion in a single recreation and appeared as a backup all through the autumn. Accidents shuffled middle Mike Myslinski (6-3, 278) between the Iowa offense and the scout workforce whereas they saved David Davidkov (6-6, 286) and Griffin Liddle (6-3, 267) on the scout workforce. Gennings Dunker (6-5, 291) additionally was on the scout workforce.

This spring, Davidkov entered the spring depth chart because the No. 2 left deal with, whereas Stephens was listed because the No. 2 left guard. Colby, who began the ultimate 11 video games at proper guard, saved that spot as properly. All three had been four-star recruits. With middle huge open after Tyler Linderbaum’s NFL departure, Myslinski is on the shelf till June after a bowl-practice harm. Myslinski decommitted from Texas to signal with Iowa.

“Loads of these younger guys, I feel they’re going to be actually enjoyable to look at sooner or later, three, 4 years down the highway,” Linderbaum mentioned. “They’re frickin’ enormous guys. Beau Stephens is big. Davidkov, clearly, is big. Connor Colby. Michael, he’s like a bit like a pit bull. He performs so onerous; you like the best way that he performs the sport. Gennings, the child’s large.

“The practices we had in bowl prep, they’ve bought lots of reps, and a number of the issues that they’re in a position to do, some older guys can’t even do it. So, it’s fairly spectacular what they’ve been doing.”

For the second-year linemen, their push to enjoying time this fall began with January exercises. Solely Colby’s weight is accurately listed — he mentioned he gained 15 kilos this offseason; the others’ weights weren’t up to date for the reason that fall. It’s possible all of them have placed on weight.

Power coach Raimond Braithwaite supervises their weight features. Colby, particularly, has added lean weight and stuffed out.

“We’re extra fearful about motion high quality versus simply throwing weight on it and seeing how heavy they will carry,” mentioned Braithwaite, who’s halfway via his second season in his position. “There must be high quality of approach. We’re not making an attempt to load dysfunctional patterns as younger guys. As soon as they set up environment friendly motion, all proper, then we will add weight to that.

“You get to a sure level the place you may’t hold pushing energy, particularly together with your oldest guys as a result of they’re so near their peak that they will get fried. There are the areas you may discover with a youthful man. I feel Connor Colby continues to be fairly distant from his bodily potential that you may nonetheless be aggressive with him.”

Of the six offensive linemen, Colby possible will stay a starter whereas Davidkov, Stephens and maybe Myslinski may wind up on the two-deep this fall. With Liddle’s harm standing, Kirk Ferentz mentioned he’s “making an attempt to encourage him to assume large image now.”

Receivers

At first blush final spring, Bruce and Johnson regarded like a pair of four-star luxuries. The Hawkeyes had three key returning receivers, together with two who had served as de facto starters for 2 seasons. However by late September, it was obvious each freshman receivers had been wanted properly past the preliminary evaluation.

Johnson stepped up because the workforce’s X (break up finish) and began eight of the ultimate 9 regular-season video games, then the Large Ten championship earlier than lacking the Citrus Bowl with an belly harm. Bruce labored all season in a number of roles and opened the ultimate 4 contests. On senior day in opposition to Illinois, the regular-season finale at Nebraska and the Large Ten title recreation in opposition to Michigan, Iowa opened with Johnson and Bruce as the one receivers.

Bruce labored loads of shorter routes and completed with 25 catches for 209 yards and a landing. He additionally rushed 10 instances for 65 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson was the workforce’s main downfield menace with a 19.6 yard-per-catch common. He caught 18 passes for a unit-best 352 yards and two touchdowns.

“The oohs and ahhs Keegan and Arland dropped at the desk,” receivers coach Kelton Copeland mentioned, “had been superior, particularly as true freshmen. However there’s quite a bit to work on.”

To that time, each receivers agree. Johnson (6-1, 197) and Bruce (5-10, 193) had signature video games, from Bruce’s six-catch evening at Maryland to Johnson’s breakaway 43-yard landing in opposition to Minnesota. However there have been rising pains, reminiscent of dropped passes (Johnson had seven). And there are development alternatives awaiting in particular areas this spring.

“My freshman 12 months was a blessing,” Johnson mentioned. “Undoubtedly greater than I may have requested for, greater than I anticipated. I knew I wished to contribute, however the best way I feel I contributed and helped the workforce, I feel it was greater than I used to be anticipating. However I really feel like I can do a greater job of capitalizing on my alternatives. I feel a few of that’s simply going to return with expertise.”

“The No. 1 factor was simply studying the protection,” Bruce mentioned. “Final 12 months I had no concept learn how to learn a protection till like the center of the 12 months. I understand how to learn a protection now, and I can run my routes in keeping with how the protection is enjoying me.”

One other second-year receiver additionally has an opportunity to make the rotation. Brody Brecht (6-4, 205) splits time between soccer and baseball; he’s a right-handed pitcher with a fastball that has reached 102 m.p.h. this spring. As for soccer, Brecht’s dimension and breakaway pace may present a special component to Iowa’s passing recreation.

“I’ve lots of respect for Brody,” Bruce mentioned. “I had hassle balancing college and soccer once I first bought right here, however him doing two sports activities and faculty like that’s insane. And when he’s at follow, he has the most effective angle. He’s working onerous. Brody’s superior.”

The energy workers has arrange an individualized exercise program for Brecht to keep away from stressing his elbow or different areas important to baseball. There are days he returns from highway journeys previous midnight, so Braithwaite permits Brecht to relaxation fairly than stress out his physique. When there’s a scheduling battle, Brecht usually will carry out extra mushy tissue, mobility or torso exercises.

“Since he’s in season, I deal with him fully otherwise,” Braithwaite mentioned. “We now have to be sensible with the best way we practice with him.”

The subsequent large factor

Practically each Iowa coach has talked about DeJean as a participant who has caught their eye this spring. At western Iowa’s OABCIG Excessive Faculty, DeJean scored 80 touchdowns and handed for 78 whereas main this system to a pair of state titles. In basketball, he completed with 1,832 profession factors, which places him barely behind T.J. Hockenson and 55 forward of Sacramento Kings ahead Harrison Barnes on the state’s all-time scoring listing. Then on the Class 2A state monitor meet in 2021, DeJean received the lengthy leap, 100-meter sprint and guided the 4×100 to victory.

DeJean (6-1, 203) shifted to defensive again at Iowa and was slated to redshirt till the Hawkeyes traveled to Wisconsin with a gap to fill on particular groups. In the end, DeJean performed in Iowa’s last seven video games on particular groups and backup cornerback. This spring, he’s shifting between security and the money position on protection whereas returning kicks, competing as a gunner on punts and even holding for further factors and subject objectives.

“I used to be actually nervous stepping into there the primary time at Wisconsin, simply being my first expertise in Large Ten play,” mentioned DeJean, a four-star prospect. “Then because the season went on, I bought extra particular groups reps after which issues began to decelerate for me.”

If there was one play that outlined DeJean to the teaching workers, it was his deal with on Kentucky huge receiver Wan’Dale Robinson on the Citrus Bowl. DeJean sprinted from left cornerback to trace down Robinson alongside the correct sideline after a 52-yard achieve at Iowa’s 1-yard line.

“We had depth issues final 12 months resulting from harm at nook,” Kirk Ferentz mentioned, “and he jumped in there and he’s really the man that made the large deal with within the bowl recreation fourth quarter, throughout the sphere.

“And I may present you a similar factor, Bob Sanders is doing that, chasing them down, Jason Vaughn, Michigan in ’03. … It tells you a bit bit about how the child operates. This man’s a soccer participant, and I’m unsure the place he’ll settle. However he’s aggressive.”

DeJean may land because the backup kick and punt returner behind sixth-year senior Charlie Jones. However particular groups coordinator LeVar Woods despatched Iowa’s message boards ablaze this spring by mentioning DeJean as a possible holder on placekicks. Woods emphasised an important facet is holding for profitable kicks however conceded DeJean “actually provides a special dimension.”

“(Punters) Tory (Taylor) and Nick (Phelps) are gonna kill me for this,” Woods mentioned. “‘Coach, I’m such an excellent athlete. Did you see how briskly I ran? I maintain the shot put document,’ which is what Nick would inform me. However Cooper’s a special man, a special athlete. I feel all of us have seen that and know that.”

The primary query

Iowa’s three second-year defensive linemen — deal with Jeremiah Pittman and ends Max Llewellyn and Jeff Bowie — have made strides and will battle for rotational snaps later this fall. Llewellyn (6-5, 235) entered spring because the No. 2 left finish, and Pittman (6-3, 303) has offered depth at nostril deal with.

Among the many 4 scholarship linebackers — Jaden Harrell (6-2, 231), Karson Sharar (6-2, 201), Justice Sullivan (6-2, 233) and Zach Twedt (6-3, 229) — Harrell and Sharar have labored on the backup weakside and out of doors spots, respectively. Operating again Deavin Hilson (6-1, 192) sits third in his unit. A number of walk-ons, particularly safety-linebacker tweener Jaxon Rexroth (6-2, 193), have turned heads, too.

However the highest-profile query this offseason comes at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Joe Labas (6-4, 194) wowed his teammates final fall because the Hawkeyes’ scout-team quarterback for his intangibles as a lot for his play-making capacity.

“I feel he’s a pure at simply making one thing occur actually,” Johnson mentioned. “I feel that’s Joe’s robust go well with and with commanding the huddle and issues like that, I really feel like a few of these issues will come over time.

“He simply hasn’t clearly had this expertise at this degree with these crowds and stuff like that. I really feel like that may come over time, and I don’t really feel like he would have an issue figuring that out in any respect. I feel his moxie, simply as having the ability to make performs, making one thing out of nothing actually, I really feel like that’s what Joe has a very good trait of doing.”

Each Kirk Ferentz and Brian Ferentz introduced the workforce would have a contest on the place. Does Labas have an opportunity to win the job in August? Properly, it will get again all the way down to the mathematics equation, Brian Ferentz mentioned.

“The fact is, proper now, you may have to spend so much of additional time with Joe or guys in his class, younger guys, simply getting them in control on the essential math stuff,” Brian Ferentz mentioned. “Sadly, till you grasp the fundamentals, till you’re sensible at these fundamentals, lots of the higher-level stuff, you’re not going to enhance as shortly.”

Whether or not or not Labas supplants senior Spencer Petras, he received’t give up pushing. Neither will the remainder of his class. They’re simply not constructed that manner. They dedicated to Iowa through the COVID shutdown of 2020 and for a number of gamers, reminiscent of Myslinski, they didn’t step on campus till they had been residing within the dorms. They turned accustomed to assembly their place coaches over Zoom and had nowhere to go in the summertime of 2021. But as they develop into extra acclimated to the setting, their consolation degree has grown and with it, their significance to this system.

“I feel all of us have a fantastic connection,” DeJean mentioned. “We’re all actually shut with one another after which the brand new guys which have are available, they match proper in. We now have lots of expertise, so it’s good for us simply going up in opposition to one another every day in these one-on-one battles, simply making one another higher.

“There’s a bit little bit of speaking backwards and forwards, speaking crap each now and again. It’s simply form of enjoyable, however I feel either side benefit from the battles that we’ve got on the sphere.”

(Prime picture of Arland Bruce: Trevor Ruszkowski / USA TODAY Sports activities)