Iowa Hawkeyes among ESPN’s college football Future Power Rankings
The Iowa Hawkeyes are no stranger to being among the top 25 rankings in college football. In true Iowa fashion, it may not always be the most pretty, but it doesn’t have to be when it is effective.
Success in college football isn’t solely based on the current day, either. In fact, much of the success is being done in the dark with recruiting and development. Each of those are two areas where Iowa has turned a corner and is becoming more and more of a national player.
Due to the blend of past success, coaching history, and success in the transfer portal, ESPN has the Hawkeyes among college football’s Future Power Rankings at No. 20 nationally.
Designed to indicate the outlook nationally over the next three seasons, here’s why Adam Rittenberg and ESPN ranked Iowa 20th.
2023 Future QB ranking: Not ranked
2023 Future defense ranking: 5
2023 Future offense ranking: Not ranked
2022 Future team ranking: 21Scouting the Hawkeyes: The most important numbers with Iowa aren’t about its feeble offense or the bizarre contract provision that coordinator Brian Ferentz must meet this season. Since 2014, Iowa is tied for 13th nationally in overall record (78-36). The team has four straight AP top-25 finishes and has placed first or second in its division seven times in the past eight years. Iowa has done so recently with a woeful offense and an elite defense that projects to remain that way. If the offense gets marginally better, Iowa should remain a fringe Big Ten contender.
A more active approach in the portal yielded quarterback Cade McNamara (Michigan), tight end Erick All (Michigan), wide receiver Kaleb Brown (Ohio State), offensive linemen Rusty Feth (Miami [Ohio]) and Daijon Parker (Saginaw Valley State). McNamara, who helped Michigan to the 2021 Big Ten title, could be a multiyear answer at quarterback. The team added Wisconsin transfer Deacon Hill for insurance, signed an ESPN three-star recruit for 2023 (Marco Lainez III) and has another (James Resar) committed for 2024. – Rittenberg, ESPN
One of the most important areas for a team like Iowa is getting some improvement in the run game. Last year was not up to par for the Hawkeyes, but with some additions from the transfer portal, there should be more green grass for sophomore Kaleb Johnson who had a stellar year as a true freshman. Pair that with an influx of targets in the passing game via the transfer portal in Erick All, Kaleb Brown, and Seth Anderson, and there is a path to offensive firepower.
Iowa’s biggest keys are getting its run game and line play on track again. Kaleb Johnson rushed for 779 yards as a true freshman and should lead the rushing attack for several years, while getting help from junior Leshon Williams and others. Iowa will lean on tackles Mason Richman and Nick DeJong, but there are questions inside. Junior Connor Colby has starting experience at guard and tackle. Both Feth and Parker should be important rotation players. Luke Lachey and All form a very strong tandem at tight end, while veteran Nico Ragaini leads a receiver group that needs more production. – Rittenberg, ESPN
As always, the defense led by Phil Parker is expected to do its thing as they do year after year. They do have some question marks of players to replace but it isn’t necessarily if the talent is there, but more so of what the production looks like.
Coordinator Phil Parker’s defense has had stars come and go without veering off-course, and should remain strong despite losing two NFL first-round draft picks (end Lukas Van Ness, linebacker Jack Campbell). The unit returns proven standouts like cornerback Cooper DeJean, and others who could soon be in that category, including junior end Deontae Craig, senior tackle Logan Lee and sophomore safety Xavier Nwankpa. Despite losing Van Ness, Iowa’s line should be among the Big Ten’s best. Lee and fellow senior Noah Shannon lead a deep group of tackles, while Craig (6.5 sacks) and Joe Evans (6.5 sacks) are the headliners at end.
DeJean and junior Jermari Harris form a solid cornerback tandem, although depth is a mini concern. The safety spot looks strong, especially in the short term, with Nwankpa and seniors Quinn Schulte and Sebastian Castro. Linebacker is the most immediate question mark, although Virginia transfer Nick Jackson should help a group that includes senior Jay Higgins but will put more on younger players. – Rittenberg, ESPN
Just behind the Hawkeyes is future Big Ten member UCLA at No. 23. Current Big Ten members finding themselves set up for success includes the Wisconsin Badgers at No. 19, the Penn State Nittany Lions at No. 8, future Big Ten member USC at No. 6, the Michigan Wolverines at No. 4, and the Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 3.
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