Position Battles for Fall Camp

For a team with fourteen returning starters plus all specialists returning Iowa has some intriguing position battles heading into the fall camp. Today's post will concentrate strictly on the Offensive line. Later I will delve into the Offensive Skill positions and finally the Defensive Line and Cornerback battles and the Place Kicker battles. Now for the Oline.





Center: The leader of Iowa's zone blocking scheme, he needs to make all the line calls, be nimble enough to double initially on a defensive tackle and then find a linebacker or defensive back on the second level to spring running backes for cutbacks. Must be strong enough to anchor against bigger and (probably) more athletic defensive tackles in the passing game and agile enough to pick up stunting defensive ends and blitzing line backers. Also must be smart enough to read the blitz and know which player to pick up in the passing game.





Candidates- Rafael Eubanks 6'3" 280 lbs Sr. (25 career starts) Former 2 year starter lost his job last season to Rob Bruggeman but was initially sharing time at left guard with Julian Vandervelde. Eventually he became the back up to Vandervelde, he did see some meaningful time including the entire Penn State game, but was probably seventh in the rotation by the end of the season. He is most likely the leader heading into the season as he has the most experience and had a very solid freshman campaign. He is not known as a really physical player and isn't as tall as his listed size. He needs to step us his run blocking and his footwork in the passing game.





Josh Koeppel 6'2" 267 lbs Jr. (5 games 2008, 5 games 2007) Koeppel could be the next "Iowa walk on success story." He is really undersized if the weight listed is correct, but he has played meaningful minutes stepping in for Eubanks in 2007 when he was injured and for Bruggeman last season. Koeppel hasn't started a game yet or played an entire game yet so he has a long way to go.





James Ferentz 6'2" 265 lbs R.Fr. ( Suspended for Spring, suspended for UNI) Ferentz really hurt his chances at winning the job by getting a second alcohol related offense and missing the entire spring practice. He may be the most physically gifted player at the position but he will be playing from behind and probably will struggle to get reps because of his off the field transgressions. He has been compared favorably to his brother who bounced around NFL training camps for three seasons. I don't expect to see him get game action until the Arkansas State game in week 5.





Julian Vandervelde was taking reps here but that experiment will probably end with his recovery from surgery reportedly not going as smoothly as once hoped. My guess is that he will just hope to be ready to play by ISU in week two.





Guard: Both positions seem to be up for grabs although I expect Vandervelde to man one of them most likely the left one when he is healthy. Guards are responsible for blocking DTs, DEs and LBs initially on running plays depending on the front and may get a crack at Dbs if they get out to the secong level. They also need to be able to anchor against bigger and (probably) more athletic DTs in the passing game and still be able to diagnose blitzing LBs and twisting DEs.





Candidates Julian Vandervelde 6'3" 300 lbs Jr. (9 st 2008, 6 st 2007) The leader to win the left guard position is recovering from surgery. Vandervelde had a great 2008. He is also one of the smartest and most verbose players on the team. As soon as he is healthy enough to play he will be on the field. Reports following media day put him on schedule to possibly be ready by the season opener.





Dan Doering 6'6" 300 lbs Sr. (5 games 2008, 5 st 2007) Possibly the most talented player in the mix, hasn't been able to stay on the field. Was one of the few bright spots of the line play of 2007. A monster and healthy season could get him into a NFL camp. I expect him to start the season at Right Guard. He played 5 games last season when he was healthy and has been listed as a co- starter every season heading into fall camp only to have injuries derail him at some point.



Dace Richardson 6'6" 305 lbs Sr. (1 st 2007, 8 st 2006 20+career games) One of the best stories of the spring Dace was once thought to be done with football after having undergone reconstructive knee surgery. After knocking the rust off during spring drills he was listed as a Co-starter at left guard following spring drills. Even if he doesn't win a job out of fall camp he can back up both interior spots and right tackle. Chances are he will earn a start vs. UNI with the suspension of Kyle Calloway. He is also a likely candidate to earn a sixth year of eligiblity losing all of last season and over 70% of 2007 to injury. It would be nice to see him regain even 80% of his former ability. He was on track to play in the NFL before his injury.

Andy Keumpel 6'7" 300 lbs Sr. (2 st, 3 gms; 4 gms 2007) Missed spring due to shoulder surgery. Filled in ably for Seth Olsen last season and then was hurt himself. Has a chance to play himself into the mix for a starting spot if he can stay healthy. Very physical run blocker. Is also versatile to back up both guard and tackle spots. Could start the UNI game at the very least.

Adam Gettis 6'4" 280 lbs So. (5 gms 2008) Consistently singled out for praise during spring and mentioned again during KF's presser during media day. Unlikely to start but if he does win a job or competes for playing time could be the next Olsen or Yanda. Probably heavier than his listed weight.

Tackle: There is no competition at tackle. Bulaga (18 career starts, every game last season) will anchor the left tackle spot and Calloway ( every game the last two seasons) will anchor the right tackle spot after the UNI game. I was rough on Calloway before last season and no one improved more than him between 2007 and 2008. The only competition at tackle is who backs these two up. The players to watch at this postion are Riley Reiff (red shirt freshman) who has been singled out for praise by Norm Parker all off season, Kyle Haganman Jr., Markus Zusevics So. who is listed as second string right tackle, Casey McMillan (red shirt freshman) and incoming recruit Nolan MacMillan who will try to hold off a red shirt. Hopefully none of these guys have to see significant playing time. It would be nice to get Reiff and Zusevics some serious minutes as both Bulaga and Calloway are projected to play in the NFL next season.