Iowa features only sophomore left tackle Riley Reiff and senior right guard Julian Vandervelde returning with experience.

Reiff started in 11 of the Hawkeyes’ 13 games and Vandervelde started in nine, saw action in 12, but suffered with consistency issues all season because of missing summer with an injury.

Reiff was named to CollegeFootballNews.com’s third team Freshman all-America and Sporting News’ first team Big Ten all-Freshman. Vandervelde impressed in 2008 before last summer’s injury.

So, we know both are capable, it’s the other slots in the trenches that need to be filled by the right guys for Iowa to be successful again this fall.

Junior Adam Gettis saw some action at left guard and sophomore James Ferentz will likely see plenty of time this season after off-field troubles kept him from playing last year.

Gettis improved as the season went on after struggling in a start against Northern Iowa. But who didn’t struggle in that game for the Hawks? If he continues to make progress in spring and summer practice the spot should be his.

Plenty of pressure is on the coach’s son, as center is heavily relied upon in the Iowa offense. Ferentz may have seen playing time last year had he not suffered from a lapse in judgement.

From there, however, it’s anybody’s guess as to who will get the nod in the leftover gaps.

What Seems Like a Long, Long, Time Ago

The last time the Hawkeyes’ offensive line looked this young was 2007—not a good year for the Hawks, who went 6-6 and rightfully missed out on a seventh-straight bowl berth after losing to a Western Michigan team that was 3-7 at the time.

Iowa’s offensive line for 2007 featured two returning starters in Seth Olsen at right guard and Rafael Eubanks at center. Both would later be named an all-Big Ten honorable mentions as consolation, I guess.

As for the rest of the offensive line, the Hawkeyes featured widely young and inexperienced players in the trenches after Iowa lost Mike Jones, Mike Elgin and Marshal Yanda to graduation in 2006.

The result was 46 sacks allowed by the end of the year. That stat was good for 114th in the nation. Iowa had only given up 22 sacks the previous season.

Iowa did a lot of shuffling with the 2007 offensive line due to injuries and lacks of cohesion and experience. They were the doormat of offensive lines in the Big Ten before finding themselves in 2008.

That inexperienced squad included a young Bryan Bulaga, Kyle Calloway and Rafael Eubanks. Dace Richardson sat out much of 2007 due to injury.

Back to the Future

Last season, Iowa gave up 29 sacks, which tied for 82nd in the country. That’s by no means a pretty number.

With a younger offensive line this season, it’s reasonable to expect that number to increase.

What does that mean for the Hawkeyes? Everybody else has to step it up.

Quarterback Ricky Stanzi has to lead the team and make better decisions all around.

Receivers have to get open and catch the ball to take the pressure off the running game.

Luckily for the incoming o-line uglies, they’ll be protecting three very talented backs in Adam Robinson, Brandon Wegher and Jewel Hampton.

On a positive note, the Hawkeyes return plenty of players with starting experience—largely in thanks to last season’s injuries—to back up the offensive line.

Also, here’s to hoping this year’s playmakers are smarter in the off-season than they were in 2007. That will go a long way in ensuring Iowa’s success.

Overall, though, this young o-line needs to mature very quickly and find that groove 2007’s squad couldn’t.

Hopefully, they’ll also put on some meat in the off-season, as Vandervelde and red-shirt sophomore Casey McMillan are the only ones in the discussion over 300 pounds. We’ll get an update on that situation closer to spring practice.

Finally, as always, nobody gets injured.

Knock on the wood nearest you.

I’m hoping to have all my design ideas live and all the kinks worked out within the week.

Thanks,

Tim

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound basketball, track and football athlete out of Mid Prairie High School (Wellman, Iowa) was holding on to preferred walk-on offers from Iowa State and Nebraska, an 80-percent scholarship offer from Northern Iowa and full ride offers from South Dakota and South Dakota State.

He also received attention from smaller basketball programs and an offer to continue his track success at Missouri.

Miller, who grew up in a Hawkeye black and gold community, had accepted the football offer from Northern Iowa.

But then a phone call came on the bus ride home from a basketball game on Feb. 1. Iowa Hawkeyes’ head coach Kirk Ferentz was on the other end with a full-ride scholarship offer.

Miller pounced on the offer. His basketball teammates celebrated.

The Hawkeyes rounded out their 2010 recruiting class with Miller’s commitment. Miller will take a shot at safety for the Hawkeyes this season.

In the past, the last guy on board for the Hawkeyes has been prone to success.

Some notables who have been final additions include NFL tight end Brandon Myers and next year’s starter at tight end, Allen Reisner.

Miller Could Follow Suit

He’s got the head to succeed at Iowa, no need to worry there. Miller was a member of the prep honor roll with a 3.56 GPA. Also, kids coming out of small Iowa communities tend to have that motivation and work ethic Ferentz wants out of his athletes prepackaged.

As a multi-sport standout, he’s got the versatility and athleticism to succeed at the U of I. Miller earned four letters in track as a hurdler and sprinter. He won the 400-meter hurdles state title as a junior. His time of 53 seconds was one of the Top 25 times in the nation.

Miller, however, excelled in football. In his senior season, Miller racked up 68 tackles as a free safety and totaled 1,846 yards and 23 touchdowns as a running back. Miller was also a punter, averaging 38 yards per boot.

Miller holds multiple school records including career points (513), single season points (266), touchdowns in a game (6), touchdowns in a season (32 his junior year), career rushing yards (4,004) and rushing yards in a single season (2,034).

But what stands out the most is Miller’s resemblance to current Iowa safety Tyler Sash.

Miller vs. Sash

Miller’s size is similar to Sash (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) and they were both known for their excellent running abilities in high school—perhaps more so in Miller’s case. Both played defensive back and running back.

Both were two-time first team all-state selections. While Sash’s sophomore season was a bit more impressive with a third team all-state selection, Miller didn’t lag far in comparison with his first team all-district selection in his sophomore year.

As far as recruiting goes, well, nobody can honestly say they saw Sash’s success coming. He held offers from just Iowa and Iowa State, while Kansas and Northern Iowa also took notice.

Miller’s recruiting experience was similar, if not just a bit more under the radar. I’ll bet not too many people will be able to say they saw him coming if he succeeds at Iowa.

I guess we’ll see what happens. It’s probably unlikely Miller will see much playing time at safety with Sash and second team all-Big Ten media selection Brett Greenwood. With the transfer of David Cato, however, Miller may have an opportunity to move up on the depth chart.

Miller might also be the next big-play guy on special teams for the Hawkeyes. He might also need a year or two to develop.

Only time will tell, but I’d set your sights on Miller as a player to watch come fall.

Though he’ll lend the University of Iowa his linebacking skills for the next four years, Morris has made a statement in this year’s Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament.

While Morris may have a tad more success on the football field, having helped lead Solon High School to its third straight state football championship, he shares his love for wrestling with many of his fellow Iowa athletes.

Iowans love their football whether it’s high school, college or professional. The Hawkeyes’ trumping of Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl shows promise for a team that has most the state excited for the 2010 season.

But for Iowans, wrestling is more than a sport. Calling it a way of life may come off as far too cliche but it’s simply a truth for many Iowans.

Iowa and wrestling are as inseparable as Canada and hockey.

Wrestling is a one-on-one battle against you and your opponent. It takes hard work, determination, passion and guts. As the legendary, former University of Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable once said:

“Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.”

The sport represents the pride and work ethic of the Midwest.

Many kids first learned wrestling in their own living rooms from their father, or from an older brother who learned it from their father and wanted an excuse to “hone their skills” on a little twerp.

Making it to the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament is a feat in itself. James Morris is one of many young Iowans who have stood tests of endurance, strength, patience and pure heart.

Morris entered the tournament with an impressive 34-0 record but was handed his first defeat in the Class 3A 215-pound quarterfinals Friday afternoon by Senior Ryan Fank of Independence (40-2).

Morris will wrestle Logan Johnson of Algona High School tonight for a chance to wrestle for third place—no small accomplishment in the country’s best high school wrestling showcase.

Just placing is reason enough to hang your head high and Morris won’t finish any worse than sixth place.

No matter where he stands on the podium when it’s all said and done, Morris has shown that he has the right traits to make a mark in Norm Paker’s Iowa defense.

Hopefully for Morris, now that his wrestling career winds down, everything else will be easy.

Read this article and more Iowa Hawkeyes coverage on Bleacherreport.com.

It’s not too early for speculation, right?

Even though this could amount to a crap shoot so early in the game, Kirk Ferentz and his recruiting staff appear to have their sights set high for 2011. Notice all the four-star athletes, too!

Kouandjio is 2011’s No. 1 offensive tackle out of DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, Md.)–the same school of future Hawkeye RB Marcus Coker. He stands at 6-foot-6 and hits 291 pounds on the scales. While that may seem smallish, remember he’s still got his senior season to develop and add some bulk.

Watch Kouandjio’s Scout.com video. The big guy is relentless, pushing defenders back twenty yards plus!

I’ve already forgotten that kid who went to USC.

Jameel Poteat is Scout.com’s No. 5 RB recruit for 2011 out of Bishop McDevitt High School (Harrisburg, Penn.). He is 5-foot-11, 200 pounds. He’s another physically focused back who runs a 4.48 40.

If the Hawkeyes can stay in the running for these recruits down the stretch–and record another solid season–look for Iowa to possibly return to the top 10 in recruiting classes.

Let’s just hope looking for star athletes this time around pays off for Ferentz and his crew. We don’t want a repeat of how the last top 10 class disintegrated.

Iowa City Press-Citizen: Ferentz ‘thrilled’ with recruiting class

If he’s happy, so are we.

Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa hitting a groove with recruits

The Hawkeye coaching staff will try to find high-level recruits with character this time around–because that’s what counts! No more trouble makers, please.

The Gazette: Derby wins his first QB derby at Iowa

A.J. Derby has upside at quarterback. He could be an All-American (Iowan) hero.

Iowa Prep Sports: Hawkeyes offer Kennedy’s French a scholarship

Christian French is a 6-foot-6 safety. The Hawkeyes want him at TE or DE–good idea.

Hawkmania (Quad City Times): No recruiting drama for Hawkeyes

Iowa recruits men of their word. We don’t like surprises anyway.

——————–

It’s been a fun ride providing my opinion and analysis. Thanks to everyone who has commented and linked to my site this fall and winter.

The good news is I’m not going anywhere! Nope, we’ve already got new faces showing up in Iowa City, looking to become Hawkeyes. What’s even more exciting is that if the Hawkeyes can put in another successful season, it could mean big success and big signings for 2011!

It’s never too early to look ahead–when it comes to recruiting.

Well…maybe Lane Kiffin and USC looked a little further ahead than most feel comfortable. Yeah, I think they did.

13-year-old David Sills is just that: a thirteen-year-old boy. Let the kid grow up and, yes, he is still a kid. He’s not even in high school yet.

Hopefully the NCAA steps in and stops things like this from happening in the future. USC has gone too far on this one.

I know he’s probably stoked, as he has a right to be, but the parents need to protect their child.

All he can hope to do now is live up to the expectations. For his sake, I sincerely hope he does.

That’s too much pressure on a teenager.

Enjoy. It took a while.

That’s all I want to say on the topic.

If he comes — great. If not, I’ll try to muster up some fake disappointment.

I’m finished with the drama. Finished.

The big guy will make his decision Wednesday.

—-

Bleacherreport.com — Could Seantrel Henderson be a bust?

The Hawkeyes could use a guy of Meyer’s talent. His strong leg will fill some holes in the Iowa kicking game and could put him in the running for the kickoff squad right away.

Last year, Meyer was eight of nine FGs from inside 50 yards, including a long of 56 for Wahlert. He also recorded touchbacks on 28 of his 30 kickoffs.

The good news: the field doesn’t get any longer in college football.

Not to put unnecessary pressure on the Hawkeyes’ latest signing, but it would be nice to see a kicker with some accuracy and range to match. Meyer may be able to offer just that.