The Iowa Hawkeyes football team held their first spring practice, beginning the team’s spring football season.
With this start to the spring season, the Hawkeyes released a new depth chart for the upcoming season, which included a number of expected changes, after Iowa’s busy offseason involving the transfer portal.
Whether it be incoming freshmen or transfers, the new Iowa depth chart includes a number of new faces looking to make an impact in 2023.
Offensive Depth Chart Notes
The offensive line looks to be a strong point in 2023, as the Hawkeyes left side of the line included returning starters in junior left tackle Mason Richman, junior left guard Connor Colby, and junior center Logan Jones.
Currently leading the depth chart at right guard is sophomore Beau Stephens, with senior Nick DeJong at right tackle. The Hawkeyes have some serious experience with almost a full starting offensive line of upperclassmen, with the exception of sophomore Beau Stephens.
Listed as the backup right tackle as of now, Saginaw Valley State transfer Daijon Parker will be someone to keep an eye on throughout the course of the spring, as he hopes to impact the Hawkeyes in 2023 in a positive way.
The #Hawkeyes' spring depth chart:https://t.co/GW3AyYOhrp pic.twitter.com/LZTWviSaNl
— John Steppe (@JSteppe1) March 22, 2023
Iowa’s Receivers
Senior Nico Ragaini and junior Diante Vines highlight the Hawkeyes’ starting receivers, with Ragaini being followed by redshirt freshmen Reese Osgood and Jacob Bostick. Vines being followed by sophomore Alec Wick.
One interesting note as far as Iowa’s receivers are concerned involves the stepping away of incoming junior, Brody Brecht. On March 24th, Brecht announced on Twitter that he would be stepping away from the Iowa football team in order to focus on baseball, seeing as he is currently the Friday night starter for the Iowa baseball team, and regularly features a fastball that reaches over 100 MPH.
Last season, Brecht appeared in 11 games, making five starts, totaling nine receptions for 87 yards, as well as a four-yard rush. This loss is particularly impactful for the Hawkeyes, seeing as they had already lost two receivers by way of the transfer portal following the 2022-2023 season.
The running back position did not provide any surprises, as sophomore Kaleb Johnson was listed as the starter, being followed by junior Leshon Williams, and redshirt freshman Jaziun Patterson. Iowa’s lone fullback, sophomore Eli Miller holds down the position.
Nico Ragaini comes up BIG for the Hawkeyes and Gus Johnson is hyped 😤
(via @CFBONFOX)pic.twitter.com/iY310Ct1DE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 9, 2021
Tight Ends
As far as tight ends are concerned, junior Luke Lachey has emerged as the starter in this first edition of the depth chart. He is followed by senior Michigan transfer, Erick All and sophomore Addison Ostrenga.
Concluding the offense with the quarterback position, again, there were no surprises. Senior Michigan transfer, Cade McNamara is listed as the starter, followed by sophomore Joe Labas, and sophomore transfer from Wisconsin, Deacon Hill.
PADILLA TO LUKE LACHEY TOUCHDOWN IOWA
pic.twitter.com/WujW7rFP2f— SuperHawkeyeFan (@superhawkeyefan) November 25, 2022
Defensive Depth Chart Notes
Much like the offensive line, the Hawkeyes are featuring a very experienced defensive front. Junior Deontae Craig is listed first at left end, followed by sophomore Max Llewellyn. Fifth year senior Noah is listed as number one at left tackle, being followed by sophomore Aaron Graves. At right tackle, senior Logan Lee is listed first and is followed by junior Yahya Black.
At the right end, fifth year senior Joe Evans leads the chart, followed by junior Ethan Hurkett. The Leo/Cash position is led by senior Sebastian Castro, who is followed by sophomores Kelby Telander and Jaxon Rexroth.
Senior Jay Higgins is listed to start a middle linebacker, with sophomore Jaden Harrell backing him up. At weak side linebacker, sophomore Carson Sharar is listed as the starter and is followed up the depth chart by senior Kyler Fisher.
With no surprises at all, the MVP of the Music City Bowl, junior Cooper DeJean is listed as the starting left corner, being followed by sophomore TJ Hall. At right corner, junior Jermari Harris is listed as the starter, after missing all of 2022 due to injury.
He is followed by redshirt freshman Deshaun Lee. Sophomore Xavier Nwankpa is listed to start at strong safety and is followed by senior Sebastian Castro, who is also listed as the starting Leo/Cash. Senior Quinn Schulte is listed as the starting free safety, with redshirt freshman Koen Entringer listed as his backup.
Iowa’s Cooper DeJean: Highest graded CB through four weeks
⭐️ 90.6 overall grade
⭐️ 0 TDs allowed
⭐️ 3 INTs pic.twitter.com/DnyfWat0I7— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 28, 2022
What Is The Status Of The New Recruits?
With the start of the 2023 Iowa Hawkeyes spring football season and the release of the new depth chart, there are a number of questions answered regarding the status of many of the transfers that were brought in this offseason.
Iowa’s strength is their defense, which did not provide many, if any surprises with the release of the depth chart. The offensive side of the ball is a different story.
While there might not have been significant surprises in regard to where players were listed on the depth chart initially, all eyes will be on the transfers as Iowa looks to improve the offense as a whole, hopefully featuring a team in 2023-2024 that doesn’t have to rely so heavily on its defense to win football games.
Back In Pads💪#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/KhCP4i3cwM
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) March 25, 2023
Credits on Featured Image: Matt Radick
