I get a little tired of hearing about how Iowa takes overlooked players and coaches them up. Iowa does a pretty good job of recruiting. The difference between Iowa and Elite programs is the depth at every position. Iowa cannot afford significant injuries at multiple positions. Iowa's starting lineup is filled with "3 and 4 star" players. The Hawks starters were mostly highly recruited. The exceptions would be FS Brett Greenwood, FB Brett Morse, TB Adam Robinson, and DT Karl Klug although I think several Big Ten teams were in on Klug. Iowa does do a good job of coaching up their players and there are great stories of the "diamond in the rough" variety every season. But to say that Iowa doesn't have players that other programs' didn't covet or recruit isn't accurate. Here is a look at the two Sites that rank Hawkeye recruits Rivals and Scout and comparing them to Texas starting lineup.
Pos. Name Rivals Scout Year
WR Trey Stross 3* 4* 2005
WR Derrell Johnson- Koulianos 3* 3* 2006
WR Colin Sandeman 3* 3* 2007
ATH Marvin McNutt 3* 3* 2007
WR Keenan Davis 4* 4* 2009
RB Adam Robinson 2* 2* 2008
RB Brandon Wegher 4* 4* 2009
QB Brett Morse 2* 2* 2006
TE Tony Moeaki 4* 5* 2005
TE Allen Reisner 2* 2* 2007
QB Ricky Stanzi 3* 2* 2007
OL Brian Bulaga 4* 4* 2007
OL Dace Richardson 4* 5* 2005
OL Rafael Eubanks 4* 4* 2005
OL Julian Vandervelde 3* 2* 2006
OL Kyle Calloway 3* 3* 2005
OL Andy Keumpal 3* 3* 2005
DL Riley Reiff 3* 3* 2008
DL Adam Gettis 2* 2* 2007
DE Adrian Clayborn 4* 4* 2006
DT Karl Klug 2* 2* 2006
DT Christian Ballard 4* 4* 2007
DE Broderick Binns 3* 3* 2007
LB A.J. Edds 3* 4* 2006
LB Pat Angerer 3* 3* 2005
LB Jeremiha Hunter 4* 4* 2006
CB Amari Spievey 2*/4*juco 2*/4*juco 2006
CB Shaun Prater 3* 3* 2008
FS Brett Greenwood N/A 2* 2006
SS Tyler Sash 3* 3* 2007
P Ryan Donahue 2* 4* 2006
K Daniel Murray 2* 2* 2006
and now Texas starting lineup
QB McCoy 3 4 2005
TB McGee 4 4 2007
WR Shipley 4 4 2004
WR Kierkendoll 4 4 2007
WR Chiles 4 4 2007
TE Smith 3 2 2006
T Ulaloski 3 3 2004
T Tanner 3 3 2005
G Hall 3 3 2005
G Snow 4 4 2008
C Hix 4 4 2007
DE S. Acho 3 4 2007
DT Randall 4 3 2008
DT Houston 4 4 2005
DE Kindle 5 5 2006
LB E. Acho 3 4 2008
LB Robinson 4 4 2008
LB Muckelroy 3 4 2006
CB Williams 4 5 2008
CB Brown 5 4 2007
S Thomas 4 4 2008
S Gideon 2 3 2007
There isn't a drastic difference between the two line-ups. The difference is between the talent of the back-ups. Another "4 or 5 star" is waiting on the bench at a Texas or Florida or USC. Iowa has to coach up the back ups and project a linebacker into a d-end or tackle. They turn high school tight ends into tackles or qbs into linebackers or wide receivers. They do more coaching and teaching at Iowa. But the front line players at Iowa are just as talented as the front line players anywhere else. You can't tell me a coaching staff wouldn't find a place for Clayborn, Edds, Spievey, or Bulaga? Moeaki couldn't find a place in any scheme? Even Stanzi shows flashes of brilliance at times. You can see why Rivals rated him a 3 star. So the next time Iowa is on ESPN2 and Pam Ward is talking about how Northwestern and Iowa are evenly matched talentwise just giggle. Or when Lou Holtsh is trashing Iowa's players while praising Iowa's coaching staff remember he is saying they can't recruit. Or when Gerry Dinardo is saying, well I never understand whay he is saying, but he is better than Mason. That is part of the coaching staff's job too. And they have landed one of their better classes ever already and its not even November yet. Iowa's Coaching Staff is problaby already working on the 2011 class since the 2010 class is pretty much full.
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