Iowa Hawkeyes hopeful that youthful offensive line sheds 2021 criticisms
If you watch any of the Hawkeyes in 2021, you know that the offensive line was very un-Iowa like. Typically the motor that guides the high-powered black and gold rushing attack, Iowa’s front five were undermanned and overmatched for much of the season. The rushing attack was sub-par, averaging 3.4 yards per carry.
This was with a 1,000-yard rusher in Tyler Goodson, a back who has possibly earned a roster spot with the Green Bay Packers this preseason. There was also far too much pressure on Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras. The deficiency really held Iowa back from what they do best, leading through their offensive line play.
In Chad Leistikow of Hawk Central’s latest report, there is a ton of optimism internally regarding the O-line.
Head coach Kirk Ferentz relayed his optimism that things would be better in 2022. Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz remarked that “we’ve seen results” when it comes to improvement. Quarterbacks Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla have been enthusiastic about concept changes in the passing game. And in the “Kids Day at Kinnick” scrimmage on Saturday, the offense looked crisper than usual at this time of year.
Why the bullishness across the board?
Because of the horses up front. – Leistikow, Hawk Central.
It will be a very different unit than the year prior, something that has caused alarm for some. Of course, losing super center Tyler Linderbaum is a massive loss. His impact carrying the offensive line last year cannot be overstated.
There is a reasonable logic that since the Iowa line underperformed last season and lost their best player heading into this season that it could pose a massive problem to the offense once again. However, there is now a massive injection of youthful energy up front.
“It’s awesome. The kids’ ability to come out every day with an energy to them, just the way they’re working and the physicality they’re playing with right now,” Barnett said with Hawk Central of the Hawkeyes’ youth. “They’re going to make mistakes. But, man, they’re doing it at full speed. The meetings have been great. They’re thick in that Iowa camp development phase, and it’s been enjoyable.”
Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz remarked after Kids’ Day that he saw a jump with last year’s offensive line before and during the Vrbo Citrus Bowl against Kentucky.
“I thought all season long last year that—again, we have access to practice, you guys get to see our team on Saturdays, so I saw that growth. I think in the bowl game, that was probably as close as we were to looking like we want to look,” Ferentz said.
Left tackle Mason Richman also commented that they are looking a lot better as a whole this year. While they lost some experienced players, they are on to “better and newer things.”
Richman leads the charge for the new generation of Hawkeye bullies. As a redshirt freshman, Richman got his feet wet starting at left tackle. There were some growing pains, but it was valuable experience going against some of the best pass rushers in the nation. He’s added some mass during the offseason, self-reportedly up to 315 pounds now, and has the makings of the next great Iowa offensive tackle. He’s a boulder who’s light on his feet but still packs a punch.
Connor Colby also received starting time as a freshman last season, filling in at right guard. Colby is another rangy, athletic lineman who has filled in at right tackle over the offseason. He has that inside-outside potential and is another lineman to keep an eye on. Left guard Tyler Elsbury and defensive tackle turned center Logan Jones have also impressed.
This line is bigger and younger than last year, and is hungry to prove that Iowa is still the crown jewel for the big guys up front in the Big Ten.
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