Iowa football roster breakdown: Position options against tight scholarship numbers

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — As the Iowa Hawkeyes brass closed the books on the early signing period last December, recruiting director Tyler Barnes knew his work only was partly completed. The transfer portal — both additions and subtractions — remained open, which made his job only more difficult.

“If you can tell us how our roster is going to look in two weeks, I’d happily give you a hard number,” Barnes said. “I think in this day and age, it’s extremely fluid.”

The Hawkeyes added five more scholarship players in the portal after that conversation, and in total, 11 scholarship players left via the portal during that cycle. In addition, two other players retired, one left early for the NFL, and another decided to focus on baseball.

This time around, the Hawkeyes face a numbers crunch when it comes to their roster. With four players entering the portal this week, the Hawkeyes have 64 athletes on scholarship plus at least 20 committed incoming players. Unlike last year, Iowa has little wiggle room to either add or retain a possible sixth-year player.

There are a few juniors who could declare for the NFL Draft, including defensive back Cooper DeJean, a likely first-round pick, and tight end Luke Lachey. Eight key players could return for an extra year of eligibility: linebacker Jay Higgins, tight end Erick All and defensive backs Sebastian Castro, Jermari Harris and Quinn Schulte, plus part-time starters like linebacker Kyler Fisher and offensive linemen Nick DeJong plus backup tackle Daijon Parker. Linebacker Nick Jackson could apply for a waiver based on his 2022 season ending early after a tragic shooting claimed three teammates’ lives at Virginia.

There are needs both related to and separate from the portal departures. Not everyone is going to walk away happy. A few oft-injured players might wind up with medical scholarships. A few extra-year candidates might not have a seat. And a few players in both camps probably will leave after wanting to stay. Such is life in major college football.

So with 84 players pledged for 2023, nine others with extra-year possibilities and a few holes to fill, let’s examine the Hawkeyes’ roster by position.

Soph.; Kaleb Brown, R-Fr.; Jacob Bostick, R-Fr.; Jarriett Buie, Fr.; Dayton Howard, Fr.; Alex Mota, Fr.

Committed (2) — Reese VanderZee, K.J. Parker

Graduated (1) — Nico Ragaini

Portal exit (1) — Diante Vines, Jr.

Breakdown: As usual, Iowa has issues at wide receiver. Through 13 games, the receivers have totaled 71 receptions for 712 yards, which is still below last year’s mark of 76 catches for 796 yards. The 2022 totals were the lowest total in either category since 1982, and the Hawkeyes have an extra game to surpass them.

The Hawkeyes did find an emerging receiver, Brown, who transferred from Ohio State, although Anderson was not used enough this fall. The question the new offensive coordinator needs to ask is can Bostick or the three true freshmen become adequate rotational players?

Either way, adding at least one experienced receiver in the portal seems important.

Tight end

Roster (5) — Luke Lachey, Jr.; Addison Ostrenga, Soph.; Zach Ortwerth, Fr.; Cael Vanderbush, R-Fr.; Grant Leeper, Fr.

Committed (2) — Michael Burt, Gavin Hoffman

Graduated (1) — Steven Stilianos

Extra-year possibility (1) — Erick All

Portal exit — None

Breakdown: This position has the most upside and the most questions on the offense. Lachey was well on his way to becoming a Mackey Award finalist before breaking his leg in Iowa’s third game. He hopes to play in the Citrus Bowl, but that remains undetermined. All still leads the Hawkeyes with 299 receiving yards and three touchdowns after tearing his ACL early in the seventh game. Both are NFL-caliber players but must decide whether another year at Iowa would boost their draft positioning or not affect it.

Should either one return, Iowa is in a great spot along with Ostrenga and Ortwerth, who started the Big Ten Championship Game. But if All and Lachey turn pro, the Hawkeyes should look at adding a portal candidate.

Offensive line

Roster (14) — Mason Richman, Jr.; Tyler Elsbury, Jr.; Connor Colby, Jr.; Logan Jones, Jr.; Gennings Dunker, Soph.; Beau Stephens, Soph.; Mike Myslinski, Soph.; Griffin Liddle, Soph.; Kale Krogh, F-Fr.; Jack Dotzler, R-Fr.; Leighton Jones, Fr.; Trevor Lauck, Fr.; Kade Pieper, Fr.; Cannon Leonard, Fr.

Committed (4) — Cody Fox, Bodey McCaslin, Josh Janowski, Will Nolan

Graduated (1) — Rusty Feth

Extra-year possibility (2) — Nick DeJong, Daijon Parker

Portal exit — None

Breakdown: After a two-year downward slope, the offensive line made strides despite several injuries this season. It bottomed out in 2022 by giving up 38 sacks and rushing for 2.9 yards per carry. This year, Iowa has allowed 28 sacks and rushed for 3.3 yards per carry. It’s meager progress, but considering four core starters still have eligibility, this group can further improve.

But are any of them first-team All-Big Ten-caliber linemen like Alaric Jackson, Tristan Wirfs or Tyler Linderbaum? It’s doubtful. If Iowa landed a high-level tackle in the portal, for example, it could juggle the starting lineup to go from average to good in 2024. Or, if the unit returns healthy and intact, perhaps it could reach that level on its own.

Defensive line

Roster (12) — Deontae Craig, Jr.; Yahya Black, Jr.; Ethan Hurkett, Jr.; Aaron Graves, Soph.; Max Llewellyn, Soph.; Jeremiah Pittman, Soph.; Jeff Bowie, Soph.; Caden Crawford, R-Fr.; Brian Allen, R-Fr., Max Borcherding-Johnson, Fr.; Chase Brackney, Fr.; Kenny Merrieweather, Fr.

Committed (4) — Drew Campbell, Devon Kennedy, Chima Chineke, Joseph Anderson

Graduated (4) — Noah Shannon, Joe Evans, Logan Lee, Chris Reames

Extra-year possibility — None (Lee will turn pro)

Portal exit (1) — Anterio Thompson, Soph.

Breakdown: Iowa’s development in this area has been a staple in its annual success. With four main players returning and two other rotational cogs, Iowa once again should be a dominant defensive line next year. But it will need some growth from a couple of younger players to rotate with the necessary effectiveness of recent Iowa lines.

The Hawkeyes could use another edge rusher in the portal, but with scholarship numbers so tight, other positions will take priority.

Linebacker

Roster (7) — Jaden Harrell, Soph.; Karson Sharar, Soph.; Zach Twedt, Soph.; Jayden Montgomery, R-Fr.; Landyn Van Kekerix, R-Fr.; Ben Kueter, Fr.; Aidan Hall, Fr.

Committed (2) — Cam Buffington, Derek Weisskopf

Graduated (1) — Nick Jackson (a waiver is possible for an extra year)

Extra-year possibility (2) — Jay Higgins, Kyler Fisher

Portal exit — None

Breakdown: This position is filled with uncertainty depending on whether Higgins returns. An All-American by most outlets, Higgins leads Power 5 defenders in tackles (155) and is 16 shy of tying Iowa’s 51-year-old record. If he leaves for the NFL, there’s a major void at middle linebacker perhaps requiring the portal. If he returns, the Hawkeyes could stand pat.

Jackson could look into a waiver, and Fisher could secure an extra season. But if Higgins doesn’t return and if Jackson doesn’t get a waiver, Iowa might need at least one experienced linebacker from the portal.

Defensive back

Roster (10) — Cooper DeJean, Jr., Xavier Nwankpa, Soph.; T.J. Hall, Soph.; Deavin Hilson, Soph.; Deshaun Lee, R-Fr.; Koen Entringer, R-Fr.; John Nestor, Fr.; Zach Lutmer, Fr.; Khalil Tate, Fr.; Teegan Davis, Fr.

Committed (3) — Jaylen Watson, Preston Ries, Rashad Godfrey

Graduated — None

Extra-year possibility (3) — Sebastian Castro, Quinn Schulte, Jermari Harris

Portal exit (1) — Brenden Deasfernandes

Breakdown: Iowa could bring back the entire secondary intact or lose four of the five starters. DeJean, the Big Ten’s defensive back of the year, will decide between a fourth year at Iowa and starting his NFL career. Castro, Schulte and Harris should have NFL opportunities next spring, or they could return and bolster their next-level chances. Harris missed all of the 2022 season because of injury and has elevated his game during the back half of this season. Castro is one of college football’s hardest-hitting defensive backs and is a potential preseason All-American should he return. Schulte has dental school on the horizon if a pro career doesn’t come to fruition.

After Nwankpa and Lee, the Hawkeyes are green in the secondary. So if two players with options return, Iowa could avoid the portal. Any less, then Iowa’s staff needs to start exploring veteran options.

Specialists

Roster (2) — LS Luke Elkin, Jr.; K Drew Stevens, Soph.

Committed (2) — Australian punter TBA; Tripp Woody (walk-on kicker)

Graduated (1) — P Tory Taylor

Extra-year possibility — None (Taylor will turn pro)

Portal exit — None

Breakdown: Iowa plans to sign another punter from ProKick Australia to replace Taylor. If that fails, special teams coordinator LeVar Woods could consider a transfer. But that’s not considered an option right now.