2010 Iowa Hawkeyes: Shooting for the Stars (Part Two)

In part one of this look into the 2010 Iowa Hawkeyes, I took a look at who was returning from 2009’s remarkable squad.  While there is a lot of returning talent, there are still some holes that will need filling. 

Let’s look at what the Hawkeyes are doing on the recruiting trail. 

Who can help fill the holes?

Looking at the list of returning players, there are two places that should be of immediate concern for the Hawkeyes—the offensive line and linebackers.  The defensive line and most of the secondary stays in tact, as do their offensive skill positions.

What are needed are solid offensive linemen and quick, heavy-hitting linebackers.

(Four Star) ATH A.J. Derby— Derby wants to play quarterback, but Iowa doesn’t really need a quarterback right now.  A little depth would be nice, but I’m not sure Derby would see any real time for a few years. 

While Ricky Stanzi graduates after this coming season, his backup James Vandenberg looked good in his first start on the road against Ohio State.  What’s more, it doesn’t appear that Derby is the kind of quarterback Iowa would put into their pro style system anyway.

Derby’s speed (4.88 sec. 40) and size (6'4", 218 pounds) would be good as a linebacker.  Rivals.com also suggests that he could potentially play tight end, safety, or halfback.  Personally, I don’t think he has the speed for halfback, but he could be the next Tyler Sash at safety in a couple of years.  If immediate playing time is his goal though, linebacker is the best fit and most immediate need for the Hawks.

(Four Star) OL Andrew Donnal— Donnal is given very good marks by Rivals.com for his quickness and size.  At 6'7", 285 pounds, Donnal could bulk up a little more, but the reports on him so far are a good indicator that he could step in fairly early and be productive—especially if there appears to be any problems on the line.

(Three Star) LB James Morris

(Three Star) LB Jim Poggi

(Three Star) LB Austin Gray

All three of these linebackers are sized around 6'2", 215 pounds.  While Poggi doesn’t have a lot of notes surrounding his recruitment, both Gray and Morris are given good marks by scout.com for their aggressiveness and instincts.  Both appear to be solid hitters (which fits Iowa football to a tee), though Gray apparently needs to learn a little about pass coverage. 

Any of these three could challenge for one of the open spots in the linebacker corps, especially if Derby actually does fit into the Iowa roster as a QB. 

It might also be noted that Poggi was recruited by Ohio State, Penn State, and Tennessee, but verbally committed to the Hawkeyes.

(Three Star) OL Brandon Scherff— There’s not a ton of information available on the web about Scherff, but ESPN.com does indicate that Scherff has the speed to play on the offensive line or to slip over to defensive end.  Though he’s listed as an offensive tackle, it would be interesting to see if Iowa considers moving him over to defensive end to help fill the future void left by Clayborn and Binns. 

In the nearest future the Hawkeyes need offensive linemen, but it’ll only be a year before they’ll have to rebuild the defensive line. 

Other verbal commits of interest

(Four Star) TE C.J. Fiedorowicz —C.J. appears to be in mold of Tony Moeaki or (could it be?) Dallas Clark.  Rated No. 2 in the country by scout.com and Rivals.com, Fiedorowicz is a good size end at 6'7", 240 pounds.  Both scout and Rivals give him very high marks for his receiving ability, though his run blocking is in question. 

Fiedorowicz may not be a starter in his freshman year, but look for him to get ample playing time and be a big impact early.

(Four Star by Rivals.com, Three Star by Scout.com) RB Marcus Coker— It’s hard to say where Coker will fit into the lineup.  With Jewel Hampton returning, and both Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher getting solid playing time last season, it would seem that the Hawkeyes are already loaded at the back position. 

(Three Star) CB B.J. Lowery— A little small at 5'11", 175 pounds, Lowery could end up being the big surprise of the 2010 recruiting class.  With a few questions surrounding the CB position for the Hawkeyes, Lowery could see action very early in his career.  His high school coach (judge his bias for yourself) thinks Iowa is getting a very talented athlete, according to Rivals. 

ESPN says that he “grows on you…the more film you view,” and that he “has a knack for making big plays in coverage.” 

If those skills transfer well over to the college level, he could be an amazing addition across from Prater and with the support of Sash and Greenwood.

(Three Star) DE Louis Trinca-Pasat— Well, if Trinca-Pasat was planning on seeing any playing time as a freshman, it’s not likely.  With Binns anchoring one end and Clayborn returning to anchor the other, there’s just no room for Trinca-Pasat, except maybe in junk time.  Still, both Clayborn and Binns will be moving on to greener pastures after this year, and LTP couldn’t have better mentors to learn from. 

Look for him to be in the mix for the 2011 squad.

(Three Star) Donovan Johnson— I didn’t put a position nor mention him earlier because there’s a little controversy amongst the websites as to where exactly this young man is projected to play.  ESPN lists him as an offensive guard that might work better as a tackle.  Scout and Rivals both list him as a defensive tackle.  If the lone wolf ESPN is right, then there just might be a spot in the near future for young Mr. Johnson. 

If Rivals and Scout are correct about his position, it’ll likely be a waiting game before he sees the field. I’m more inclined to believe that he’s slated as a defensive player (that’s where he was in high school), in which case, he’ll be a backup to Klug and Ballard. 

(Three Star) DT Carl Davis— Davis is going to have to show something special.  Just look back over the list presented here.  Besides the current active Hawkeye defensive tackles, there are others coming in to give Davis some stiff competition.  At 6'4", 300 pounds, he has an early advantage over some of his competitors, but he’ll have to show that he has the speed and moves to go along with that size. 

Just remember, Mitch King and Matt Kroul were both three star recruits back in 2004, and look how they turned out.

What will Iowa look like in 2010? 

It might be difficult to overcome some of the holes that they’ll need to fill.  Still, there’s a ton of talent returning and some very good recruits coming to Iowa City. 

This coming year just may be one of the best Hawkeye teams ever fielded.