Saturday Tradition pinpoints Iowa’s biggest transfer portal loss
The 2023 offseason has had a whirlwind of changes to the Iowa Hawkeyes’ roster via the transfer portal. There was the initial wave of players transferring out that felt like a mass exodus only to be followed by Iowa reloading and upgrading positions of need soon thereafter.
Some losses hurt more than others, though. Talent walking out the door is never as easily replaced as some may think and there can be a void that teams struggle to replace. Iowa lost two receivers via the portal. Arland Bruce IV and Keagan Johnson found new homes at Oklahoma State and Kansas State, respectively. Saturday Tradition took a look at Iowa’s losses via the portal and pinpointed the biggest loss.
Iowa: Arland Bruce (Oklahoma State)
It’s a tossup between Bruce and fellow receiver Keagan Johnson, who departed for Kansas State. But Bruce’s move to the more pass-oriented Cowboys brings up shades of Charlie Jones heading to Purdue last year, so I’m giving Bruce the nod.
Either way, the constant turnover at receiver is not an encouraging sign for the program.
The loss of linebacker Jestin Jacobs is also significant, but the Hawkeyes have a far better record reloading at that position without any drop-off. – Alex Hickey, Saturday Tradition
Bruce was a versatile player for the Hawkeyes in the passing game with his quickness, and he paired that with some action in the run game when called upon. Bruce totaled 44 receptions for 396 yards and two touchdowns to go with 22 rushing attempts for 112 yards and four touchdowns during his time at Iowa.
While Iowa’s biggest loss was chronicled, the Hawkeyes are a recipient of another team’s biggest loss. Iowa’s new tight end Erick All is listed as Michigan’s biggest loss.
The Wolverines compensated All’s exit by adding Indiana’s Barner, but he’s still the best Michigan player to enter the portal this offseason. He was a candidate for a breakout season if he stayed in Ann Arbor, and now he will try to do the same with former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara at Iowa. – Hickey, Saturday Tradition
All brings in the skills to be part of one of the nation’s top tight end duos with Luke Lachey. The two will undoubtedly be targeted by Cade McNamara often this season and look to give the Hawkeyes’ passing attack an infusion of talent and success.
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