Big Ten: C.J. Beathard
Quarterback competitions took center stage around the Big Ten this spring and will continue to do so when preseason camps kick off in August. As camp approaches, we're examining each of the unsettled signal caller races in the league, where they stand and what needs to be done in the all important summer months.
Next up, Iowa.
The candidates: Jake Rudock, 6-3, 205, sophomore; Cody Sokol, 6-2, 215, junior; C.J. Beathard, 6-2, 195, redshirt freshman
Statistics: Rudock didn't see any game action in 2012 despite being the primary backup to Hawkeyes starter James Vandenberg. Sokol redshirted at Iowa last season after passing for 3,807 yards and 43 touchdowns as a sophomore, and 2,443 yards and 24 touchdowns as a freshman at Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. Beathard has yet to see action in a collegiate game.
Where things stand: Rudock emerged from the spring with a slight edge, and head coach Kirk Ferentz said last month that if the season started immediately, Rudock would be the starter. But the race remains fairly close, and while Rudock and Sokol have a bit more experience, Beathard can catch up with a strong summer. Rudock looked the best in the two open scrimmages Iowa held this spring, but Sokol wasn't far behind and Beathard also had his moments.
Summer buzz: Iowa lacks a quarterback who has taken a snap in an FBS game, so not surprisingly, Ferentz didn't expect to make any big decisions coming out of the spring.
Rudock and Sokol practiced with the second-team offense in 2012, while Beathard spent those workouts running the scout team. Spring practice provided a platform for all three to finally work with the team's top receivers, tight ends, backs and linemen. Ferentz achieved his goal of an equal and fair competition in the spring, but he expects all three quarterbacks to look different when the team reconvenes in August.
"It's fair to say that Jake and Cody were at a little different plane than C.J.," Ferentz recently told ESPN.com, "but the biggest thing now after going through 15 days of spring practice that this is where they have an opportunity to go back and look at that tape in a more sterile environment and see what they can pull from it. And, as they work with their teammates over the course of the summer, hopefully sharpen their skills a little bit.
"Ultimately, it's what they do in August that’s going to determine how this thing shakes out."
Ferentz is seeking proficiency, decision-making, accuracy, ball protection and the ability to move the offense in the quarterback who starts for Iowa in 2013. Although all three quarterbacks have what Ferentz called a "workable" knowledge of the offense, which sputtered under first-year coordinator Greg Davis last season, they all must make strides during the summer.
Inexperience is the common denominator, and all three candidates have the needed throwing ability and mobility, Ferentz said. But there are some differences with each, which is nothing new at Iowa.
"We’ve had all kinds of quarterbacks play here historically," Ferentz said. "Brad Banks is a very different quarterback from Nathan Chandler, and Drew Tate was a very different quarterback from those guys. And then [Ricky] Stanzi came along later and certainly was different than all three of those guys. We don't have the luxury of being locked in, because we don't always get the first choice. If you're able to draft in the first round every time, you can figure out, 'Hey, this is what we're looking for.'
"But we try to find the guy who we think is best in every recruiting class, and as they come along, we'll try to bend toward their skill set."
Rudock and Sokol have a slight leg up entering camp, but Beathard isn't "miles behind," Ferentz said.
"He's just not quite as knowledgeable right now, for obvious reasons," Ferentz said. "But I could also argue that he's got the best opportunity to gain ground and change more than the other guys, because this is a time where, if a summer is done right for a college player, they can improve at any position. The less experienced a guy is, the more opportunity there is to look more significantly different than a guy who has played three years."
Ferentz doesn't have a rigid timetable for determining the starter in camp, noting that if separation doesn't take place naturally, he'll need to make some decisions and divide the reps differently. At some point in August, "you’ve got to let a guy work with the first team and prepare to be the starter," he said.
What is done now, while the quarterbacks work with teammates away from the coaches, likely will shape who emerges.
"All three need to take what they learned in the spring," Ferentz said. "The challenge now is to push their game forward."
Next up, Iowa.
The candidates: Jake Rudock, 6-3, 205, sophomore; Cody Sokol, 6-2, 215, junior; C.J. Beathard, 6-2, 195, redshirt freshman
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Matt QuinnanJake Rudock emerged from the spring with a slight edge in Iowa's wide-open QB competition.
Where things stand: Rudock emerged from the spring with a slight edge, and head coach Kirk Ferentz said last month that if the season started immediately, Rudock would be the starter. But the race remains fairly close, and while Rudock and Sokol have a bit more experience, Beathard can catch up with a strong summer. Rudock looked the best in the two open scrimmages Iowa held this spring, but Sokol wasn't far behind and Beathard also had his moments.
Summer buzz: Iowa lacks a quarterback who has taken a snap in an FBS game, so not surprisingly, Ferentz didn't expect to make any big decisions coming out of the spring.
Rudock and Sokol practiced with the second-team offense in 2012, while Beathard spent those workouts running the scout team. Spring practice provided a platform for all three to finally work with the team's top receivers, tight ends, backs and linemen. Ferentz achieved his goal of an equal and fair competition in the spring, but he expects all three quarterbacks to look different when the team reconvenes in August.
"It's fair to say that Jake and Cody were at a little different plane than C.J.," Ferentz recently told ESPN.com, "but the biggest thing now after going through 15 days of spring practice that this is where they have an opportunity to go back and look at that tape in a more sterile environment and see what they can pull from it. And, as they work with their teammates over the course of the summer, hopefully sharpen their skills a little bit.
"Ultimately, it's what they do in August that’s going to determine how this thing shakes out."
Ferentz is seeking proficiency, decision-making, accuracy, ball protection and the ability to move the offense in the quarterback who starts for Iowa in 2013. Although all three quarterbacks have what Ferentz called a "workable" knowledge of the offense, which sputtered under first-year coordinator Greg Davis last season, they all must make strides during the summer.
Inexperience is the common denominator, and all three candidates have the needed throwing ability and mobility, Ferentz said. But there are some differences with each, which is nothing new at Iowa.
"We’ve had all kinds of quarterbacks play here historically," Ferentz said. "Brad Banks is a very different quarterback from Nathan Chandler, and Drew Tate was a very different quarterback from those guys. And then [Ricky] Stanzi came along later and certainly was different than all three of those guys. We don't have the luxury of being locked in, because we don't always get the first choice. If you're able to draft in the first round every time, you can figure out, 'Hey, this is what we're looking for.'
"But we try to find the guy who we think is best in every recruiting class, and as they come along, we'll try to bend toward their skill set."
Rudock and Sokol have a slight leg up entering camp, but Beathard isn't "miles behind," Ferentz said.
"He's just not quite as knowledgeable right now, for obvious reasons," Ferentz said. "But I could also argue that he's got the best opportunity to gain ground and change more than the other guys, because this is a time where, if a summer is done right for a college player, they can improve at any position. The less experienced a guy is, the more opportunity there is to look more significantly different than a guy who has played three years."
Ferentz doesn't have a rigid timetable for determining the starter in camp, noting that if separation doesn't take place naturally, he'll need to make some decisions and divide the reps differently. At some point in August, "you’ve got to let a guy work with the first team and prepare to be the starter," he said.
What is done now, while the quarterbacks work with teammates away from the coaches, likely will shape who emerges.
"All three need to take what they learned in the spring," Ferentz said. "The challenge now is to push their game forward."
Ferentz to write Iowa's depth chart in pencil
June, 6, 2013
Jun 6
10:00
AM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Like many coaches, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz releases a Week 1 depth chart about 10 days before each season opener.
Here's a tip: Don't take this year's version too seriously.
Iowa will have no shortage of position battles when preseason camp begins in August. The three-man quarterback race between Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard will get most of the attention, but Iowa is unsettled at spots like wide receiver, right guard, defensive end and cornerback. The Hawkeyes return several familiar names at running back, and the competition there should be spirited.
Eventually, Ferentz will fill out a depth chart for the Aug. 31 opener against Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium. He'll do so in pencil.
"When you go 4-8, there aren't a lot of incumbents," Ferentz told ESPN.com this week. "I'm not a big one for incumbents anyway, but everybody's got a chance to compete. In fairness to our team, at every position, we'll make those decisions as we go along in August."
Iowa officially returns six offensive starters and eight defensive starters from 2012, including all three linebackers and Mark Weisman at running back. But the Hawkeyes are looking for difference- makers to emerge on both sides of the ball, as they hope to spark a passing attack that ranked 99th nationally in 2012 and a pass rush that struggled for much of the fall (113th nationally in sacks, 105th in tackles for loss).
Although preseason camp should provide some clues, the true answers might not come until the games begin. The Hawkeyes who start against Northern Illinois might not be the same ones who start the Big Ten opener Sept. 28 at Minnesota.
Ferentz, always prepared with a historical reference, recalled the 2008 season -- the start of Iowa's mini renaissance -- when quarterback Ricky Stanzi and linebacker Pat Angerer didn't emerge as starters until late September. Stanzi and Angerer played key roles as Iowa went 17-3 between Oct. 11, 2008, and the end of the 2009 season.
"I could see a lot of that going on with our team right now," Ferentz said. "We're a young team. The quarterback [race] is prominent because that's what any guy on the street is going to ask about, but we have a lot of those situations on our football team right now, a lot of different positions where we have some interesting competition."
Here's a tip: Don't take this year's version too seriously.
Iowa will have no shortage of position battles when preseason camp begins in August. The three-man quarterback race between Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard will get most of the attention, but Iowa is unsettled at spots like wide receiver, right guard, defensive end and cornerback. The Hawkeyes return several familiar names at running back, and the competition there should be spirited.
Eventually, Ferentz will fill out a depth chart for the Aug. 31 opener against Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium. He'll do so in pencil.
"When you go 4-8, there aren't a lot of incumbents," Ferentz told ESPN.com this week. "I'm not a big one for incumbents anyway, but everybody's got a chance to compete. In fairness to our team, at every position, we'll make those decisions as we go along in August."
Iowa officially returns six offensive starters and eight defensive starters from 2012, including all three linebackers and Mark Weisman at running back. But the Hawkeyes are looking for difference- makers to emerge on both sides of the ball, as they hope to spark a passing attack that ranked 99th nationally in 2012 and a pass rush that struggled for much of the fall (113th nationally in sacks, 105th in tackles for loss).
Although preseason camp should provide some clues, the true answers might not come until the games begin. The Hawkeyes who start against Northern Illinois might not be the same ones who start the Big Ten opener Sept. 28 at Minnesota.
Ferentz, always prepared with a historical reference, recalled the 2008 season -- the start of Iowa's mini renaissance -- when quarterback Ricky Stanzi and linebacker Pat Angerer didn't emerge as starters until late September. Stanzi and Angerer played key roles as Iowa went 17-3 between Oct. 11, 2008, and the end of the 2009 season.
"I could see a lot of that going on with our team right now," Ferentz said. "We're a young team. The quarterback [race] is prominent because that's what any guy on the street is going to ask about, but we have a lot of those situations on our football team right now, a lot of different positions where we have some interesting competition."
1. Ohio State: The Buckeyes haven't lost a game since January 2012, and nothing that happened this spring changed the reality that they're the team to beat in 2013. The defensive front was a major question mark, but sophomore defensive ends Adolphus Washington and Noah Spence calmed concerns there with huge springs. A blue-chip recruiting class will only add depth to the league's top team.
2. Michigan: We put the Wolverines No. 5 in our initial 2013 rankings. That was before we knew Taylor Lewan would return and before Michigan signed stud running back prospect Derrick Green. Those developments, plus the continued progress of Devin Gardner at quarterback, should be enough to overcome the loss of star linebacker Jake Ryan to a knee injury and make the Maize and Blue a Legends Division favorite.
3. Northwestern: The Wildcats had a mostly drama-free spring, which suited Pat Fitzgerald just fine. The team was missing several projected starters because of injury, but they should all be ready by fall camp. With most important pieces back from a 10-win team, including all-American running back/returner Venric Mark, Fitzgerald is confident that Northwestern can contend for a Big Ten title.
4. Nebraska: The good news: The Cornhuskers' prolific offense, powered by senior quarterback Taylor Martinez, looked to be in midseason form this spring. The bad news: The defense definitely needs a few more months, at least, to figure things out. A favorable early schedule should help Bo Pelini's club get off to a strong start, but Nebraska will go only as far as its young, unproven defenders will take it.
5. Wisconsin: The Badgers appear to be adapting well to new head coach Gary Andersen, though the loss of defensive end David Gilbert to recurring foot injuries was a setback. Joel Stave and Curt Phillips played well at quarterback this spring, though neither has won the job outright. Andersen has enough returning talent to give Ohio State all it can handle in the Leaders Division race.
6. Michigan State: Remember what we said about Nebraska? Just flip first those two sentences around. The Spartans' defense looked strong as ever this spring, and maybe even a little better up front. But that defense may have to be great if the offense plays like it did in the spring game. An unsettled quarterback situation and questions over who replaces Le'Veon Bell at running back puts Michigan State a notch behind the top Big Ten teams, though the schedule is desirable.
7. Penn State: Whoever plays quarterback for Penn State will be making his major-college debut after Steven Bench surprisingly transferred shortly after spring drills. It looks like junior college import Tyler Ferguson is the man under center for head coach Bill O'Brien, whose Year 2 fortunes could revolve around that position's progress and how the Nittany Lions replace several key defensive leaders from last season.
8. Minnesota: Getting to a bowl game last season seems to have helped the Gophers' confidence this offseason. That and the comfort level for the players under third-year coach Jerry Kill and his staff have Minnesota thinking about taking the next step this fall. Sophomore quarterback Philip Nelson held onto the starting job this spring and needs to lead a better downfield passing attack, while Kill is hoping some junior college transfers help fill the holes at linebacker. Don't sleep on the Gophers this year.
9. Indiana: Teams are going to have to score a lot of points to beat the Hoosiers this year. They led the Big Ten in passing last year despite having to shuffle three quarterbacks, and now all three (Tre Roberson, Nate Sudfeld and Cameron Coffman) are battling for the right to throw to a loaded receiving corps. If Indiana can just reach mediocrity on defense -- that's a big if, based on recent history -- Kevin Wilson's club could make some noise in the Big Ten and get to a bowl game.
10. Purdue: This may be too low for a team coming off back-to-back bowl bids. But we're in wait-and-see mode with the Boilermakers because they're undergoing a coaching transition and have questions at quarterback and linebacker. Darrell Hazell's arrival should bring some more discipline and toughness, however. The secondary could be one of the best in the league, and running back Akeem Hunt looked like one of the league's most improved players this spring.
11. Iowa: The Hawkeyes have nowhere to go but up after an uncharacteristic 4-8 season under Kirk Ferentz last year. Of course, they're also breaking in a new quarterback and haven't yet chosen between Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard. There are issues on the defensive line, at receiver and in the secondary. But the running game should be a strength, with Mark Weisman and Damon Bullock leading a deep tailback group.
12. Illinois: The Illini showed in the spring game that they're not afraid to throw the ball around in new offensive coordinator Bill Cubit's system, and that should help a team that finished last in the Big Ten in scoring last year. Several junior college players, including receiver Martize Barr and linebacker/safety Eric Finney, stepped in and contributed already this spring. Yet second-year coach Tim Beckman still has several holes to fill after a 2-10 season.
2012 record: 4-8
2012 conference record: 2-6 (tied for fifth in Legends Division)
Returning starters: Offense: 6; defense: 8; kicker/punter: 2
Top returners
RB Mark Weisman, RB Damon Bullock, LB James Morris, LB Christian Kirksey, LB Anthony Hitchens, CB B.J. Lowery, WR Kevonte Martin-Manley, TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, OT Brandon Scherff
Key losses
QB James Vandenberg, WR Keenan Davis, CB Micah Hyde, DL Steve Bigach, DL Joe Gaglione, C James Ferentz
2012 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Mark Weisman* (815 yards)
Passing: James Vandenberg (2,249 yards)
Receiving: Kevonte Martin-Manley* and Keenan Davis (571 yards)
Tackles: Anthony Hitchens* (124)
Sacks: Joe Gaglione (5)
Interceptions: Christian Kirksey*, Tom Donatell and Greg Castillo (2)
Spring answers
1. Ground and pound: Iowa is at its best when its offensive line is paving the way for a powerful running game. The Hawkeyes look ready to get back to that this year. The return of Brandon Scherff and Andrew Donnal from leg injuries means the offensive line is deep and experienced, and for once the Iowa running back curse did not rear its head during the offseason (though we've still got a few months to go). Bulldozer Mark Weisman leads a group that includes Damon Bullock and Jordan Canzeri and that gives offensive coordinator Greg Davis some versatility to use in the backfield. If injuries and other off-the-field problems can be avoided, this should be the strength of the Hawkeyes offense.
2. Linebackers set: Few teams return as much production at linebacker as Iowa, where all three starters are back after each recorded at least 95 tackles in 2012. That doesn't mean that they always played great, as none of the three have earned any All-Big Ten honors. But the linebackers -- Christian Kirksey, James Morris and Anthony Hitchens -- are without a doubt among the leaders on this defense, and all three played well this spring. Kirk Ferentz said that Hitchens -- who needed to improve despite his gaudy tackle numbers last year -- showed growth this offseason. All three must raise their games, but they're capable of doing so.
3. Carl's coming on strong: The Hawkeyes really need someone to emerge as a disruptive force on the defensive line, and junior Carl Davis showed he might be ready for that in the spring game. He had three sacks and batted down two passes, and though it was just a scrimmage, the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder has all the physical tools to be a star if he can stay healthy.
Fall questions
1. QB derby: Hey, Iowa's production at quarterback can't get much worse than last year. Still, the Hawkeyes have to settle on a starter, and the coaches say that it's an even three-man battle between Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard following spring drills. Rudock and Sokol look to have pulled away a bit, but Iowa doesn't plan on naming a starter until mid-August.
2. Playmakers at receiver: Davis wants the offense to go more vertical this season after too many wasted horizontal passes in 2012. The question remains whether Iowa has the players to implement that. Martin-Manley is a reliable slot guy, and Jordan Cotton has good speed. But the Hawkeyes' receivers still have trouble gaining separation and creating yardage after the catch. Davis hopes the running game can open up things via the play-action pass, but the receivers need to spend this summer maximizing every ounce of their ability.
3. This is the end? Iowa generated only 13 sacks in 12 games last year, ranking last in the Big Ten by a large margin. Only 8.5 of those came from the defensive line. While there's promise with Davis and at the other defensive tackle spots, there are large questions about who can come off the edge and cause opposing quarterbacks trouble. Can Dominic Alvis take the next step? Will young players like freshmen Faith Ekakitie and Jaleel Johnson make an impact? This is an area that has to get better, both in rushing the passer and containing plays on the perimeter.
2012 conference record: 2-6 (tied for fifth in Legends Division)
Returning starters: Offense: 6; defense: 8; kicker/punter: 2
Top returners
RB Mark Weisman, RB Damon Bullock, LB James Morris, LB Christian Kirksey, LB Anthony Hitchens, CB B.J. Lowery, WR Kevonte Martin-Manley, TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, OT Brandon Scherff
Key losses
QB James Vandenberg, WR Keenan Davis, CB Micah Hyde, DL Steve Bigach, DL Joe Gaglione, C James Ferentz
2012 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Mark Weisman* (815 yards)
Passing: James Vandenberg (2,249 yards)
Receiving: Kevonte Martin-Manley* and Keenan Davis (571 yards)
Tackles: Anthony Hitchens* (124)
Sacks: Joe Gaglione (5)
Interceptions: Christian Kirksey*, Tom Donatell and Greg Castillo (2)
Spring answers
1. Ground and pound: Iowa is at its best when its offensive line is paving the way for a powerful running game. The Hawkeyes look ready to get back to that this year. The return of Brandon Scherff and Andrew Donnal from leg injuries means the offensive line is deep and experienced, and for once the Iowa running back curse did not rear its head during the offseason (though we've still got a few months to go). Bulldozer Mark Weisman leads a group that includes Damon Bullock and Jordan Canzeri and that gives offensive coordinator Greg Davis some versatility to use in the backfield. If injuries and other off-the-field problems can be avoided, this should be the strength of the Hawkeyes offense.
2. Linebackers set: Few teams return as much production at linebacker as Iowa, where all three starters are back after each recorded at least 95 tackles in 2012. That doesn't mean that they always played great, as none of the three have earned any All-Big Ten honors. But the linebackers -- Christian Kirksey, James Morris and Anthony Hitchens -- are without a doubt among the leaders on this defense, and all three played well this spring. Kirk Ferentz said that Hitchens -- who needed to improve despite his gaudy tackle numbers last year -- showed growth this offseason. All three must raise their games, but they're capable of doing so.
3. Carl's coming on strong: The Hawkeyes really need someone to emerge as a disruptive force on the defensive line, and junior Carl Davis showed he might be ready for that in the spring game. He had three sacks and batted down two passes, and though it was just a scrimmage, the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder has all the physical tools to be a star if he can stay healthy.
Fall questions
1. QB derby: Hey, Iowa's production at quarterback can't get much worse than last year. Still, the Hawkeyes have to settle on a starter, and the coaches say that it's an even three-man battle between Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard following spring drills. Rudock and Sokol look to have pulled away a bit, but Iowa doesn't plan on naming a starter until mid-August.
2. Playmakers at receiver: Davis wants the offense to go more vertical this season after too many wasted horizontal passes in 2012. The question remains whether Iowa has the players to implement that. Martin-Manley is a reliable slot guy, and Jordan Cotton has good speed. But the Hawkeyes' receivers still have trouble gaining separation and creating yardage after the catch. Davis hopes the running game can open up things via the play-action pass, but the receivers need to spend this summer maximizing every ounce of their ability.
3. This is the end? Iowa generated only 13 sacks in 12 games last year, ranking last in the Big Ten by a large margin. Only 8.5 of those came from the defensive line. While there's promise with Davis and at the other defensive tackle spots, there are large questions about who can come off the edge and cause opposing quarterbacks trouble. Can Dominic Alvis take the next step? Will young players like freshmen Faith Ekakitie and Jaleel Johnson make an impact? This is an area that has to get better, both in rushing the passer and containing plays on the perimeter.
Our spring fling with the Big Ten has come to an end. Our final spring game recap of 2013 turns to Iowa, where the offense won 61-37 before 16,500 fans. You can find coverage of the game here, here, here and here.
Star of the game: Defensive tackle Carl Davis had three sacks and batted down two passes. On the offensive side, true freshman Cameron Wilson caught 10 passes for 131 yards.
How it went down: First of all, don't get too excited about that final score, because it was a modified scoring system that head coach Kirk Ferentz said favored the offense.
Still, there were some positives to be taken out of this game for the Hawkeyes' offense. We might as well start with the quarterbacks, where a three-man battle raged all spring between Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard. All three had good numbers on Saturday:
Rudock: 18-of-29 for 174 yards
Sokol: 13-of-18 for 183 yards and a touchdown
Beathard: 10-of-20 for 110 yards and a touchdown.
None of the quarterbacks threw an interception, and except for a fumbled exchange involving Sokol, avoided big mistakes. Rudock didn't throw a touchdown, but ended his day by going 6-for-6 and leading the team down the field for a score in a two-minute drill. Iowa coaches insist that it's still even between the three, though it looks like Rudock and maybe Sokol have the upper hand.
"We didn't plan on making any decisions coming out of today," Ferentz said. "All three are doing good things and have things to work on. We'll try to address those things moving forward."
Just as encouraging was the play of some receivers who weren't well known before this weekend. That includes the redshirt freshman Wilson, who had a breakout performance, and walk-on junior Blake Haluska, who had four catches for 58 yards.
“I’ll be honest, he was fairly invisible for the majority of spring practice, and then this past week he has really done some good things,” Ferentz said of Haluska. “He had a good practice both Wednesday and Thursday and caught our eye. And certainly today, he took another step forward. And historically for us, we’ve needed people to step forward that maybe nobody saw coming, stories that you didn’t see coming. I’m not ready to crown him right now, but certainly this has been a good three-day period, not just today. And we need help everywhere, so it would be a great thing."
Running backs Damon Bullock and Mark Weisman didn't do much, and after the game Bullock said he'd been practicing at receiver. Redshirt freshman Michael Malloy was the leading rusher, with 12 carries for 56 yards.
Davis was the story of the day for the defense. He's always had impressive physical tools, but has been hurt a lot during his career. Iowa could really use someone to step up and become a dominant pass-rusher on a defensive line that looks underwhelming on paper.
"I’m starting to understand everything,” Davis said. "Things are starting to click. ... I want to be able to do that -- three sacks in a game -- this fall,"
It was a pretty good show for the fans and by Iowa, which broke with recent tradition by staging more of a game than a regular practice. Though Ferentz said the scoring system reminded him of "an arena game" at times, he might stick with the new format.
"We'll certainly consider it," he said. "I bet when I walk in [to the locker room] the defensive guys will be complaining and the offensive guys will say it's a great system."
Star of the game: Defensive tackle Carl Davis had three sacks and batted down two passes. On the offensive side, true freshman Cameron Wilson caught 10 passes for 131 yards.
How it went down: First of all, don't get too excited about that final score, because it was a modified scoring system that head coach Kirk Ferentz said favored the offense.
Still, there were some positives to be taken out of this game for the Hawkeyes' offense. We might as well start with the quarterbacks, where a three-man battle raged all spring between Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard. All three had good numbers on Saturday:
Rudock: 18-of-29 for 174 yards
Sokol: 13-of-18 for 183 yards and a touchdown
Beathard: 10-of-20 for 110 yards and a touchdown.
None of the quarterbacks threw an interception, and except for a fumbled exchange involving Sokol, avoided big mistakes. Rudock didn't throw a touchdown, but ended his day by going 6-for-6 and leading the team down the field for a score in a two-minute drill. Iowa coaches insist that it's still even between the three, though it looks like Rudock and maybe Sokol have the upper hand.
"We didn't plan on making any decisions coming out of today," Ferentz said. "All three are doing good things and have things to work on. We'll try to address those things moving forward."
Just as encouraging was the play of some receivers who weren't well known before this weekend. That includes the redshirt freshman Wilson, who had a breakout performance, and walk-on junior Blake Haluska, who had four catches for 58 yards.
“I’ll be honest, he was fairly invisible for the majority of spring practice, and then this past week he has really done some good things,” Ferentz said of Haluska. “He had a good practice both Wednesday and Thursday and caught our eye. And certainly today, he took another step forward. And historically for us, we’ve needed people to step forward that maybe nobody saw coming, stories that you didn’t see coming. I’m not ready to crown him right now, but certainly this has been a good three-day period, not just today. And we need help everywhere, so it would be a great thing."
Running backs Damon Bullock and Mark Weisman didn't do much, and after the game Bullock said he'd been practicing at receiver. Redshirt freshman Michael Malloy was the leading rusher, with 12 carries for 56 yards.
Davis was the story of the day for the defense. He's always had impressive physical tools, but has been hurt a lot during his career. Iowa could really use someone to step up and become a dominant pass-rusher on a defensive line that looks underwhelming on paper.
"I’m starting to understand everything,” Davis said. "Things are starting to click. ... I want to be able to do that -- three sacks in a game -- this fall,"
It was a pretty good show for the fans and by Iowa, which broke with recent tradition by staging more of a game than a regular practice. Though Ferentz said the scoring system reminded him of "an arena game" at times, he might stick with the new format.
"We'll certainly consider it," he said. "I bet when I walk in [to the locker room] the defensive guys will be complaining and the offensive guys will say it's a great system."
Big Ten spring football wraps up Saturday as both Iowa and Minnesota hold their annual spring games/scrimmages. We're taking a quick look at each one.
First up, Iowa's spring scrimmage presented by Coke Zero.
When: Saturday, 3:05 p.m. ET
Where: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa
Admission: Free. The west and south grandstands are open, and Gates A and G open at 2 p.m. ET. Parking is available in all university lots around Kinnick Stadium. Fans are invited to bring nonperishable food items for the ANF Food Bank Drive.
TV: Live on BTN2Go. Big Ten Network will broadcast scrimmage on tape-delay at 8 p.m. ET Sunday.
Weather: Partly cloudy, 60-64 degrees, winds at 7-9 mph.
What to watch for: Iowa has been more fan friendly this spring, and the theme continues with the spring scrimmage, which will be more like a real game with four 15-minute quarters and a scoring system for both the offense and the defense. Most of the attention will be on the quarterbacks, as Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard continue to compete for the starting position.
Rudock looked like the man to beat in the April 14 scrimmage in West Des Moines, although offensive coordinator Greg Davis said Wednesday that he has "no idea" who the starter will be. The race will spill into fall camp, but Saturday marks the final chance for the candidates to impress the coaching staff before the summer. Davis said each quarterback likely will get to lead his own drive in the scrimmage.
"They've all done some really good things," Davis said, "but they have not separated themselves yet."
Fans also want to see who emerges at wide receiver, where returning starter Kevonte Martin-Manley, Don Shumpert and Tevaun Smith are getting the most work. The running back rotation also will be a focal point as Iowa's coaches have talked a lot about using multiple backs on the field together. Mark Weisman and Damon Bullock are getting the most work, and Jordan Canzeri also is in the mix.
The defensive line also figures to be in the spotlight Saturday as Iowa works toward filling out its rotation. Tackle Carl Davis has impressed the coaches this spring, and true sophomore Drew Ott is working as a starting defensive end. Young players like Darian Cooper and Faith Ekakitie also will be in the spotlight Saturday, as Iowa looks to boost its pass rush.
"Faith, he's probably the most intriguing guy," defensive coordinator Phil Parker said. "He can play inside and I think he can play outside as an end. Very impressed with the way he can run and move. We moved him out here late a little bit at the end. He probably had four or five days of practice. So we're intrigued by putting him out on the edge."
Iowa is solid at linebacker but has a few question marks in the secondary. Cornerback Jordan Lomax, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, is in the mix to start opposite B.J. Lowery.
First up, Iowa's spring scrimmage presented by Coke Zero.
When: Saturday, 3:05 p.m. ET
Where: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa
Admission: Free. The west and south grandstands are open, and Gates A and G open at 2 p.m. ET. Parking is available in all university lots around Kinnick Stadium. Fans are invited to bring nonperishable food items for the ANF Food Bank Drive.
TV: Live on BTN2Go. Big Ten Network will broadcast scrimmage on tape-delay at 8 p.m. ET Sunday.
Weather: Partly cloudy, 60-64 degrees, winds at 7-9 mph.
What to watch for: Iowa has been more fan friendly this spring, and the theme continues with the spring scrimmage, which will be more like a real game with four 15-minute quarters and a scoring system for both the offense and the defense. Most of the attention will be on the quarterbacks, as Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard continue to compete for the starting position.
Rudock looked like the man to beat in the April 14 scrimmage in West Des Moines, although offensive coordinator Greg Davis said Wednesday that he has "no idea" who the starter will be. The race will spill into fall camp, but Saturday marks the final chance for the candidates to impress the coaching staff before the summer. Davis said each quarterback likely will get to lead his own drive in the scrimmage.
"They've all done some really good things," Davis said, "but they have not separated themselves yet."
Fans also want to see who emerges at wide receiver, where returning starter Kevonte Martin-Manley, Don Shumpert and Tevaun Smith are getting the most work. The running back rotation also will be a focal point as Iowa's coaches have talked a lot about using multiple backs on the field together. Mark Weisman and Damon Bullock are getting the most work, and Jordan Canzeri also is in the mix.
The defensive line also figures to be in the spotlight Saturday as Iowa works toward filling out its rotation. Tackle Carl Davis has impressed the coaches this spring, and true sophomore Drew Ott is working as a starting defensive end. Young players like Darian Cooper and Faith Ekakitie also will be in the spotlight Saturday, as Iowa looks to boost its pass rush.
"Faith, he's probably the most intriguing guy," defensive coordinator Phil Parker said. "He can play inside and I think he can play outside as an end. Very impressed with the way he can run and move. We moved him out here late a little bit at the end. He probably had four or five days of practice. So we're intrigued by putting him out on the edge."
Iowa is solid at linebacker but has a few question marks in the secondary. Cornerback Jordan Lomax, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, is in the mix to start opposite B.J. Lowery.
Greg Davis tries to fix Iowa's offensive woes
April, 24, 2013
Apr 24
3:30
PM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
Iowa fans, know this: Greg Davis felt your pain about last year's offense.
"It obviously wasn't the season we wanted, and it was frustrating for all of us," the second-year Hawkeyes offensive coordinator told ESPN.com. "It was frustrating for me."
Iowa finished 11th in the Big Ten in scoring in 2012 and averaged just 16.7 points in the final six games of a dismal 4-8 season. So Davis, along with head coach Kirk Ferentz and the rest of the offensive staff, set about trying to fix things this offseason. The problems weren't hard to pinpoint when they gathered together to go over what went wrong.
"Everybody came in with a list of things that was pretty similar," Davis said. "There were a lot of things that were on everybody's sheet."
The lack of a downfield passing game checked in very high on that list. One of the indelible images of the Hawkeyes' season was watching quarterback James Vandenberg throw horizontal passes to receivers well short of the first-down marker.
Davis wants to use the vertical passing game a lot more this year, but that is easier said than accomplished.
"We had to look at, how do we get the ball deep?" he said. "We're not all of a sudden going to have Jerry Rice and John Taylor on the outside."
The Hawkeyes' lack of playmakers at receiver became painfully obvious last season. Though Davis likes the progress of slot receiver Kevonte Martin-Manley and the speed of Jordan Cotton and Don Shumpert, Iowa still looks a little athletically challenged on the perimeter.
So Davis' plan is to use one of the team's main strengths -- its running game -- to shore up a weakness.
"Because of our ability to run the ball, we've really worked hard on play-action shots," he said. "Hopefully, many of our big plays will come off play-action."
With the healthy return of Brandon Scherff and Andrew Donnal, Davis thinks the offensive line will perform like a typical group of Iowa mashers up front. The Hawkeyes -- dare we tempt fate by saying it -- are now flush with running backs, led by bulldozer Mark Weisman and the speedier Damon Bullock. Building pass plays out of run looks should both improve the protection for the quarterback and give receivers more time to get 15 yards or so downfield and read the defense.
"There's more of a threat all around," running back Jordan Canzeri said. "We have some new plays where we're taking more shots downfield, different routes."
Davis also wants the offense to simply have more opportunities, period. Iowa averaged only 66 offensive snaps per game last year, running the fewest plays in the Big Ten. Part of that, of course, is converting third downs and staying on the field. But Davis also hopes to incorporate more no-huddle, which the Hawkeyes used in stretches last year.
"We want to play faster, we want to get more snaps and we want to stress the defense more," Davis said. "We do so much at the line of scrimmage anyway, so why huddle?"
That doesn't mean that Iowa is about to become a spread team by any means. But having both Bullock and Weisman, who were almost never healthy at the same time last year, adds more options. Weisman can line up as the fullback in the I-formation, or the Hawkeyes can use him as a single back with Bullock splitting out as a receiver. If they do that without huddling, that should create some favorable matchups against defenses.
Of course, first and foremost, the Hawkeyes need to identify a starting quarterback, and they're not much closer to doing so with spring practice set to end Saturday. Davis said the three contenders for the job -- Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard -- are still "too close to call."
"They've all done some things where you say, 'Wow, this is really pretty good,'" he said. "They've also all done some things where you say, 'Wow, this is really not very good.' I'm pretty sure won't know until [preseason] camp."
Throughout the spring, Iowa has rotated the three quarterbacks every two plays. Last Saturday, for the first time, each was given a chance to lead a drive until its completion during team drills. Yet, there's still not much separation.
Davis said it reminded him a little of when he was at Texas and the quarterback race was so close that the Longhorns began the season alternating freshmen Colt McCoy and Jevan Snead. McCoy didn't show he was the guy until he actually had to make plays with defenders chasing him and without the comfort of a no-contact jersey.
Iowa fans -- and Davis -- just hope that whoever starts ends up running an offense that makes many more plays than last year.
"It obviously wasn't the season we wanted, and it was frustrating for all of us," the second-year Hawkeyes offensive coordinator told ESPN.com. "It was frustrating for me."
Iowa finished 11th in the Big Ten in scoring in 2012 and averaged just 16.7 points in the final six games of a dismal 4-8 season. So Davis, along with head coach Kirk Ferentz and the rest of the offensive staff, set about trying to fix things this offseason. The problems weren't hard to pinpoint when they gathered together to go over what went wrong.
"Everybody came in with a list of things that was pretty similar," Davis said. "There were a lot of things that were on everybody's sheet."
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Charlie NeibergallMark Weisman led the Hawkeyes in rushing last season with 815 yards.
Davis wants to use the vertical passing game a lot more this year, but that is easier said than accomplished.
"We had to look at, how do we get the ball deep?" he said. "We're not all of a sudden going to have Jerry Rice and John Taylor on the outside."
The Hawkeyes' lack of playmakers at receiver became painfully obvious last season. Though Davis likes the progress of slot receiver Kevonte Martin-Manley and the speed of Jordan Cotton and Don Shumpert, Iowa still looks a little athletically challenged on the perimeter.
So Davis' plan is to use one of the team's main strengths -- its running game -- to shore up a weakness.
"Because of our ability to run the ball, we've really worked hard on play-action shots," he said. "Hopefully, many of our big plays will come off play-action."
With the healthy return of Brandon Scherff and Andrew Donnal, Davis thinks the offensive line will perform like a typical group of Iowa mashers up front. The Hawkeyes -- dare we tempt fate by saying it -- are now flush with running backs, led by bulldozer Mark Weisman and the speedier Damon Bullock. Building pass plays out of run looks should both improve the protection for the quarterback and give receivers more time to get 15 yards or so downfield and read the defense.
"There's more of a threat all around," running back Jordan Canzeri said. "We have some new plays where we're taking more shots downfield, different routes."
Davis also wants the offense to simply have more opportunities, period. Iowa averaged only 66 offensive snaps per game last year, running the fewest plays in the Big Ten. Part of that, of course, is converting third downs and staying on the field. But Davis also hopes to incorporate more no-huddle, which the Hawkeyes used in stretches last year.
"We want to play faster, we want to get more snaps and we want to stress the defense more," Davis said. "We do so much at the line of scrimmage anyway, so why huddle?"
That doesn't mean that Iowa is about to become a spread team by any means. But having both Bullock and Weisman, who were almost never healthy at the same time last year, adds more options. Weisman can line up as the fullback in the I-formation, or the Hawkeyes can use him as a single back with Bullock splitting out as a receiver. If they do that without huddling, that should create some favorable matchups against defenses.
Of course, first and foremost, the Hawkeyes need to identify a starting quarterback, and they're not much closer to doing so with spring practice set to end Saturday. Davis said the three contenders for the job -- Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard -- are still "too close to call."
"They've all done some things where you say, 'Wow, this is really pretty good,'" he said. "They've also all done some things where you say, 'Wow, this is really not very good.' I'm pretty sure won't know until [preseason] camp."
Throughout the spring, Iowa has rotated the three quarterbacks every two plays. Last Saturday, for the first time, each was given a chance to lead a drive until its completion during team drills. Yet, there's still not much separation.
Davis said it reminded him a little of when he was at Texas and the quarterback race was so close that the Longhorns began the season alternating freshmen Colt McCoy and Jevan Snead. McCoy didn't show he was the guy until he actually had to make plays with defenders chasing him and without the comfort of a no-contact jersey.
Iowa fans -- and Davis -- just hope that whoever starts ends up running an offense that makes many more plays than last year.
Iowa QB could have solid supporting cast
April, 15, 2013
Apr 15
1:45
PM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Kirk Ferentz's decision to have senior quarterback James Vandenberg take all 793 snaps of Iowa's 2012 season received heavy scrutiny, but there's no going back.
The bottom line is the Hawkeyes' starting quarterback for the 2013 opener against Northern Illinois will be making his FBS debut. It's a scary prospect that went 4-8 last season -- its worst mark since 2000 -- and finished 114th nationally in total offense and 111th in scoring.
But there appears to be some good news, in addition to the fact that Jake Rudock, Vandenberg's primary backup in 2012, performed well in Sunday's open scrimmage in Des Moines. Whoever wins the starting job -- Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard are competing and splitting snaps so far this spring -- should have a decent to better-than-decent supporting cast this fall.
Before going any further, I realize the following words could tempt AIRBHG to strike again. But hasn't Iowa suffered enough? There's a merciful side to AIRBHG, I know there is, and perhaps this is the season we see it because ...
Iowa's running back depth should be the offense's strength in 2013.
We saw what Mark Weisman could do when healthy last season, and Damon Bullock also showed some promising signs when he wasn't nursing an ailment. There's talk of using both players on the field together this fall, and Bullock lined up at slot receiver during Sunday's scrimmage. Jordan Canzeri, who missed last season after tearing his ACL last spring, stood out in the scrimmage with runs of 39 and 21 yards.
"We like Mark and Damon," Ferentz said after Sunday's workout. "They're different kinds of backs, but we consider both of them starters. Jordan looked really good today, too, and that was encouraging."
Iowa's offensive line could be improved as Brandon Scherff and Andrew Donnal return from major injuries. If the Hawkeyes can consistently run the ball with a variety of backs who have proven themselves to different degrees, it will take a bunch of pressure off of the new quarterback.
Tight end also could be a strength as C.J. Fiedorowicz and Ray Hamilton combined for seven receptions and 143 yards in the scrimmage. Iowa fans are waiting for the supremely talented Fiedorowicz to become a superstar. Perhaps he turns the corner this season in his second year in coordinator Greg Davis' system.
Wide receiver remains the big question mark and dropped passes continued to surface in Sunday's scrimmage. But redshirt freshman receiver Riley McCarron, a walk-on, had a breakout performance of sorts before the crowd at Valley Stadium. Iowa's new quarterback needs much more from the wideouts, but McCarron's play is a good sign. The Hawkeyes need some playmakers to come out of nowhere to make the offense go this fall.
Will Iowa be an offensive juggernaut in 2013? Doubtful. Could the lack of experience at quarterback doom the Hawkeyes to another lousy season? It's possible. But the pieces are in place around the new signal caller to foster improvement and produce a respectable offense that will put Iowa in position to win more games.
The bottom line is the Hawkeyes' starting quarterback for the 2013 opener against Northern Illinois will be making his FBS debut. It's a scary prospect that went 4-8 last season -- its worst mark since 2000 -- and finished 114th nationally in total offense and 111th in scoring.
But there appears to be some good news, in addition to the fact that Jake Rudock, Vandenberg's primary backup in 2012, performed well in Sunday's open scrimmage in Des Moines. Whoever wins the starting job -- Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard are competing and splitting snaps so far this spring -- should have a decent to better-than-decent supporting cast this fall.
Before going any further, I realize the following words could tempt AIRBHG to strike again. But hasn't Iowa suffered enough? There's a merciful side to AIRBHG, I know there is, and perhaps this is the season we see it because ...
Iowa's running back depth should be the offense's strength in 2013.
We saw what Mark Weisman could do when healthy last season, and Damon Bullock also showed some promising signs when he wasn't nursing an ailment. There's talk of using both players on the field together this fall, and Bullock lined up at slot receiver during Sunday's scrimmage. Jordan Canzeri, who missed last season after tearing his ACL last spring, stood out in the scrimmage with runs of 39 and 21 yards.
"We like Mark and Damon," Ferentz said after Sunday's workout. "They're different kinds of backs, but we consider both of them starters. Jordan looked really good today, too, and that was encouraging."
Iowa's offensive line could be improved as Brandon Scherff and Andrew Donnal return from major injuries. If the Hawkeyes can consistently run the ball with a variety of backs who have proven themselves to different degrees, it will take a bunch of pressure off of the new quarterback.
Tight end also could be a strength as C.J. Fiedorowicz and Ray Hamilton combined for seven receptions and 143 yards in the scrimmage. Iowa fans are waiting for the supremely talented Fiedorowicz to become a superstar. Perhaps he turns the corner this season in his second year in coordinator Greg Davis' system.
Wide receiver remains the big question mark and dropped passes continued to surface in Sunday's scrimmage. But redshirt freshman receiver Riley McCarron, a walk-on, had a breakout performance of sorts before the crowd at Valley Stadium. Iowa's new quarterback needs much more from the wideouts, but McCarron's play is a good sign. The Hawkeyes need some playmakers to come out of nowhere to make the offense go this fall.
Will Iowa be an offensive juggernaut in 2013? Doubtful. Could the lack of experience at quarterback doom the Hawkeyes to another lousy season? It's possible. But the pieces are in place around the new signal caller to foster improvement and produce a respectable offense that will put Iowa in position to win more games.
Legends Division spring notebook
April, 10, 2013
Apr 10
5:00
PM ET
By
Brian Bennett and
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Every Legends Division head coach, along with a player from each of the six teams, participated in a Big Ten spring teleconference with the media on Wednesday.
Here are some notes and updates from those teams:
IOWA
MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN STATE
MINNESOTA
NORTHWESTERN
Here are some notes and updates from those teams:
IOWA
- After six practices, the Hawkeyes' three-man quarterback race between Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard is "about where we expected," head coach Kirk Ferentz said. All three are receiving equal reps, and all are working with the first-, second- and third-team offenses. "At this point, it's a jump ball for all three guys," Ferentz said.
- Accountability is a big theme this spring at Iowa after the team endured its worst season (4-8) in more than a decade. Ferentz said he can't bury his head in the sand after a season like last year's. "We have to do a better job in all areas and that starts with me," he said. Linebacker James Morris was candid about the legacy he'd like to leave at Iowa. "The mark we've left so far, if we're being completely honest, isn't a particularly good one," Morris said. "I'm not happy about it, but I'm excited we have one more opportunity to change things."
- Ferentz said Sunday's open practice in West Des Moines gives Iowa a chance to say thanks to its fans in the central and western parts of the state. Hawkeyes players enjoy the chance to perform in front of their fans. "It's something to break the monotony of spring ball," Morris said. "This will be something different."
- Morris wants to see Iowa's defense translate its red-zone effectiveness -- the Hawkeyes allowed only 15 touchdowns on 48 red-zone chances in 2012 and held opponents scoreless 10 times -- to the rest of the field. Better communication also is a focal point for the defense this spring.
MICHIGAN
- Head coach Brady Hoke said the team will explore the possibility of adding a junior-college quarterback or a graduate transfer from an FBS program to address the position. Russell Bellomy, the projected backup, is scheduled for ACL surgery May 1 and could miss the entire season. Walk-on Brian Cleary is working as the No. 2 quarterback this spring behind Devin Gardner, and heralded recruit Shane Morris arrives in the summer. Asked generally about redshirting players, Hoke didn't sound as if he'd hesitate to use a player like Morris. "No matter if they're fifth-year seniors or true freshmen, the best players have to play," he said. "If you don't do your justice on playing the best players, you're going to cheat the kids on this team."
- Both Hoke and left tackle Taylor Lewan praised the young players competing for the three vacant starting spots on the interior offensive line. Hoke has seen "a lot of progress" with players like Ben Braden, Kyle Kalis, Chris Bryant, Blake Bars and Joey Burzynski. Lewan sees more "maulers" along Michigan's line as the unit aims to be more physically dominant this season in a pro-set scheme.
- Lewan said the experience of playing for Michigan and the opportunity to win a Big Ten championship led him to decide to return for his senior season rather than enter the NFL draft, where he likely would have been a first-round pick. He said his decision was his own, and that those who haven't played for Michigan can't truly understand the lure of remaining there. "There's no better decision I could have made than coming back to the University of Michigan," he said.
- Lewan said defensive end Frank Clark could be on the All-Big Ten radar by the end of the season, while Hoke singled out Chris Wormley for having a strong spring with the D-line. Hoke said running back Fitzgerald Toussaint is progressing well as he recovers from leg surgery.
MICHIGAN STATE
- Replacing Le'Veon Bell at running back remains a work in progress. While Nick Hill, Jeremy Langford and Nick Tompkins are working there this spring, head coach Mark Dantonio said players from other positions will "slide in and out" at running back to see how they handle the role. The Spartans are also bringing in three tailbacks this summer. "That's obviously a position of concern for us," Dantonio said. "We've got to find a guy you can give the ball to 250 times. I don't know if we have that yet. But that's part of who we are, and we're going to find him."
- Dantonio said placekicker Kevin Cronin has had an excellent spring and is the No. 1 on the depth chart now. But recruit Michael Geiger will come in this summer and push Cronin for the right to succeed the departed Dan Conroy.
- Spartans fans always seem to be curious about wideout and former Tennessee transfer DeAnthony Arnett. Here's what Dantonio had to say about him today: "He's a guy who runs great routes but needs to catch ball a little more consistently and be more physical at the point of attack. ... He's a guy who I think will play next year and will add to our offense once he starts moving in a more consistent basis. But I think he's taken big steps this spring, and you can see that coming."
- Linebacker Max Bullough said going 7-6 last year after two 11-win seasons "put things in perspective for us. We hadn't lost many games the previous two years. Now we have that knowledge and experience that it could happen to us. ... We use that as motivation to move forward."
MINNESOTA
- Head coach Jerry Kill said injured offensive tackle Ed Olson (ankle) and defensive lineman Roland Johnson (knee) are both progressing well, and he expects both to be ready to go for fall camp.
- Kill had high praise for safety Brock Vereen, saying he could follow his brother, Shane, into the NFL. "He's gotten better and better since we've been here, and he's turned into a great football player in our minds. We look for him to have a very productive year."
- Vereen said the team is practicing with a new sense of confidence. "We're finally comfortable with coach Kill's system. We know what they expect from us. And that just makes it a lot easier to show up every day and do what we need to do."
- Vereen on how far away the Gophers are from contending in the Legends Division: "We are closer than a lot of people think. If you look back to last season, a lot of those games we lost were in the fourth quarter. A loss is a loss, but at the same time, we were in a lot of those games. It's about pushing through, which is something we learned the hard way, but we still learned. ... I think we're going to shock some people this year."
NEBRASKA
- Linebacker David Santos (arm) will miss a portion of summer workouts but will be back before the Huskers open preseason camp, head coach Bo Pelini said. Defensive linemen Vincent Valentine and Greg McMullen, who missed Saturday's spring game, aren't seriously injured and will be fine for workouts and camp.
- Although Nebraska's defense had its ups and downs this spring, redshirt freshman linebacker Jared Afalava stood out. Pelini expects a lot of production this fall from Afalava, who is "probably further ahead of where I thought he'd be." Pelini also praised senior defensive end Jason Ankrah, saying the coaches gave him more freedom to move around this spring. "Hopefully, his best year is yet to come," Pelini said.
- Senior quarterback Taylor Martinez expects Nebraska to throw the ball "a lot more" this season, mainly because of the team's strength at wide receiver with Kenny Bell, Jamal Turner and others. Martinez said expectations are extremely high for the offense, and that coordinator Tim Beck is more comfortable calling plays. "I'd rather throw the ball 30 times a game … get the football to those guys and let them do their thing," Martinez said. Pelini has no argument, saying "the best is yet to come" with Martinez at quarterback.
- Martinez said the Memorial Stadium crowd was about as loud as he's ever heard it when 7-year-old cancer patient Jack Hoffman ran for a 69-yard touchdown in Saturday's spring game.
NORTHWESTERN
- The Wildcats won't hold a traditional spring game this year but just a normal practice session. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald said 13 players had surgeries after the season, and the team was limited to eight healthy offensive linemen this spring. "We've had to tweak things, so that's why we've kept the same routine throughout all 15 of our practices," he said.
- Some of the lesser-known Northwestern players who have had good springs, Fitzgerald said, included backup quarterback Zack Oliver, receiver Mike Jensen, superbacks Mark Szott and Jack Schwaba and defensive lineman C.J. Robbins. Fitzgerald said he's been "very, very impressed" by Robbins, who has been injured the past two years.
- A question on offering prospects early prompted this response from Fitzgerald: "I have just a fundamental issue with offering a kid a scholarship that doesn't have a driver's license. Just barely shaving. And because he looks good in shorts doesn't mean he's going to be a great Big Ten football player. The glorification of these kids at a young age is unfair to them. It's putting unfair and unrealistic expectations on them."
- Defensive end Tyler Scott, who Fitzgerald said is "poised to take the next step," said he's worked hard on becoming a more vocal leader this year and on his pass-rushing techniques. "I'm trying to bring more tools to that aspect of the defense," he said.
Ultimate Big Ten road trip: Week 8
March, 22, 2013
Mar 22
3:00
PM ET
By
Brian Bennett and
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
When a horse wins a big race like the Kentucky Derby, people usually say it had the perfect trip. We're seeking our own perfect trip through the Big Ten this fall.
Now, perfection is nearly impossible to achieve in reality. There are budgetary concerns, editors' calls and other considerations to deal with. But we're imagining what it would look like if we had complete travel nirvana, picking the most interesting 2013 Big Ten games per week to attend while trying to create as much variety in our coverage as possible.
Here are our potential destinations for Week 8:
Indiana at Michigan
Iowa at Ohio State
Minnesota at Northwestern
Purdue at Michigan State
Wisconsin at Illinois
Bye weeks: Penn State, Nebraska
Brian Bennett's pick: Iowa at Ohio State
Uh, I guess? On paper, this is wildly underwhelming and makes me wonder if we can convince our editors to go anywhere on Oct. 19. You never know, though, which teams will emerge out of nowhere as unlikely contenders and which ones will flop, so what we think we know could be totally wrong.
For now, I'm pretty much going by process of elimination. I just saw Northwestern in Week 7 and have seen Purdue twice already. I covered Indiana in Week 6 and don't like the Hoosiers' chances in the Big House. I also would have seen Wisconsin twice. So that leaves Iowa-Ohio State, which could be a dog of a game if you just went by 2012 records. But this might be my only chance to get an up-close look at the Hawkeyes and find out how Kirk Ferentz & Co. respond to last year's 4-8 disaster. They'll have a new quarterback -- whether that's Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol or C.J. Beathard -- and hopefully someone will still be upright to play running back this late in the season.
The real appeal here, of course, is the home team. I will only have visited Ohio State once so far, and though I figure to come back later in the season (and maybe in Week 9), this is a team that could be in the national championship hunt. If given a choice between some lackluster-looking games, I'll go see Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde and Ryan Shazier and Bradley Roby do their things. While keeping an eye on the TVs and hoping one of these other contests proves interesting.
Adam Rittenberg's pick: Indiana at Michigan
Talk about a snoozer slate. I worry that we'll be staying home a lot in October. Boo to the double bye. The Indiana-Michigan game could be interesting, though, and I've yet to see Kevin Wilson's squad in 2013. Hear me out. Indiana took significant steps in Wilson's second season -- even if its overall record (4-8) didn't reflect it -- and should be equipped to have a more complete team this season. With eight home games on the slate, IU should make a bowl this fall. Its offense should be among the Big Ten's most dangerous after Indiana scored 30 points or more six times in 2012, including a 49-point effort against Ohio State.
Like many defenses, Michigan has had some troubles with up-tempo spread offenses, and Indiana should provide a good test for the Wolverines, who are looking for playmakers after losing star linebacker Jake Ryan to an ACL tear earlier this week (Ryan could be back by this game, but it's highly unlikely). Safety Thomas Gordon, cornerback Blake Countess and the rest of Michigan's defensive backs will have their hands full with Cody Latimer, Kofi Hughes, Shane Wynn and the rest of Indiana's pass-catchers. At the very least, the game should provide some offensive fireworks as Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner puts up big numbers as a starter late last season and should be even better in 2013.
Yes, I realize Michigan has won 17 straight against Indiana and 32 of the teams' last 33 meetings. Indiana hasn't won at the Big House since 1967. But these two offenses should provide plenty of entertainment, and it will be interesting to see who steps up for the defenses as both (Indiana much more so than Michigan) have some question marks. This one won't be the same without Bill Lynch. I'll throw some chewed gum on the field during the game in his honor.
Previous Trippin’
Week 1: Adam at Northwestern-Cal, Brian at Purdue-Cincinnati
Week 2: Brian and Adam at Notre Dame-Michigan
Week 3: Brian at UCLA-Nebraska, Adam at Wisconsin-Arizona State
Week 4: Adam at Michigan State-Notre Dame, Brian at Purdue-Wisconsin
Week 5: Adam at Wisconsin-Ohio State, Brian at Wisconsin-Ohio State
Week 6: Adam at Ohio State-Northwestern, Brian at Penn State-Indiana
Week 7: Adam at Penn State-Michigan, Brian at Northwestern-Wisconsin
Now, perfection is nearly impossible to achieve in reality. There are budgetary concerns, editors' calls and other considerations to deal with. But we're imagining what it would look like if we had complete travel nirvana, picking the most interesting 2013 Big Ten games per week to attend while trying to create as much variety in our coverage as possible.
Here are our potential destinations for Week 8:
Indiana at Michigan
Iowa at Ohio State
Minnesota at Northwestern
Purdue at Michigan State
Wisconsin at Illinois
Bye weeks: Penn State, Nebraska
Brian Bennett's pick: Iowa at Ohio State
Uh, I guess? On paper, this is wildly underwhelming and makes me wonder if we can convince our editors to go anywhere on Oct. 19. You never know, though, which teams will emerge out of nowhere as unlikely contenders and which ones will flop, so what we think we know could be totally wrong.
For now, I'm pretty much going by process of elimination. I just saw Northwestern in Week 7 and have seen Purdue twice already. I covered Indiana in Week 6 and don't like the Hoosiers' chances in the Big House. I also would have seen Wisconsin twice. So that leaves Iowa-Ohio State, which could be a dog of a game if you just went by 2012 records. But this might be my only chance to get an up-close look at the Hawkeyes and find out how Kirk Ferentz & Co. respond to last year's 4-8 disaster. They'll have a new quarterback -- whether that's Jake Rudock, Cody Sokol or C.J. Beathard -- and hopefully someone will still be upright to play running back this late in the season.
The real appeal here, of course, is the home team. I will only have visited Ohio State once so far, and though I figure to come back later in the season (and maybe in Week 9), this is a team that could be in the national championship hunt. If given a choice between some lackluster-looking games, I'll go see Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde and Ryan Shazier and Bradley Roby do their things. While keeping an eye on the TVs and hoping one of these other contests proves interesting.
Adam Rittenberg's pick: Indiana at Michigan
Talk about a snoozer slate. I worry that we'll be staying home a lot in October. Boo to the double bye. The Indiana-Michigan game could be interesting, though, and I've yet to see Kevin Wilson's squad in 2013. Hear me out. Indiana took significant steps in Wilson's second season -- even if its overall record (4-8) didn't reflect it -- and should be equipped to have a more complete team this season. With eight home games on the slate, IU should make a bowl this fall. Its offense should be among the Big Ten's most dangerous after Indiana scored 30 points or more six times in 2012, including a 49-point effort against Ohio State.
Like many defenses, Michigan has had some troubles with up-tempo spread offenses, and Indiana should provide a good test for the Wolverines, who are looking for playmakers after losing star linebacker Jake Ryan to an ACL tear earlier this week (Ryan could be back by this game, but it's highly unlikely). Safety Thomas Gordon, cornerback Blake Countess and the rest of Michigan's defensive backs will have their hands full with Cody Latimer, Kofi Hughes, Shane Wynn and the rest of Indiana's pass-catchers. At the very least, the game should provide some offensive fireworks as Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner puts up big numbers as a starter late last season and should be even better in 2013.
Yes, I realize Michigan has won 17 straight against Indiana and 32 of the teams' last 33 meetings. Indiana hasn't won at the Big House since 1967. But these two offenses should provide plenty of entertainment, and it will be interesting to see who steps up for the defenses as both (Indiana much more so than Michigan) have some question marks. This one won't be the same without Bill Lynch. I'll throw some chewed gum on the field during the game in his honor.
Previous Trippin’
Week 1: Adam at Northwestern-Cal, Brian at Purdue-Cincinnati
Week 2: Brian and Adam at Notre Dame-Michigan
Week 3: Brian at UCLA-Nebraska, Adam at Wisconsin-Arizona State
Week 4: Adam at Michigan State-Notre Dame, Brian at Purdue-Wisconsin
Week 5: Adam at Wisconsin-Ohio State, Brian at Wisconsin-Ohio State
Week 6: Adam at Ohio State-Northwestern, Brian at Penn State-Indiana
Week 7: Adam at Penn State-Michigan, Brian at Northwestern-Wisconsin
Poll: Most interesting spring QB race
March, 14, 2013
Mar 14
4:00
PM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Quarterback competitions will dominate the discussion around the Big Ten this spring, as more than half the teams are unsettled under center. We broke down each race earlier, and now it's time to identify which QB battle interests you the most.
My vote goes to Wisconsin because the Badgers have three one-time starters in the mix -- Joel Stave, Curt Phillips and Danny O'Brien -- along with their most heralded quarterback recruit in years (Bart Houston). But other races have their own intrigue.
Our poll limits us to five options, and here they are ...
Indiana -- Tre Roberson returns from a leg injury to try to reclaim his starting job. Roberson was the Hoosiers' No. 1 signal-caller entering 2012 and had a strong start to the season before suffering a broken leg in Week 2. He'll compete against junior Cameron Coffman, who started Indiana's final 10 games last fall, and sophomore Nate Sudfeld, who backed up Coffman in 2012 and boasts terrific size and arm strength.
Iowa -- Jake Rudock backed up James Vandenberg throughout last season but didn't take a single snap even though the offense struggled. He certainly could be next in line for the Hawkeyes, but Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard also are in the mix. Sokol is a junior-college transfer who redshirted last year after throwing for 3,807 yards with 43 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. Beathard led the state of Tennessee in passing during his high school senior year.
Michigan State -- Andrew Maxwell started all 13 games last season for the Spartans and will enter the spring as the team's No. 1 quarterback. He still has the support of head coach Mark Dantonio, but he'll have to distance himself from Connor Cook and Tyler O'Connor. Cook replaced Maxwell in Michigan State's Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl win against TCU. O'Connor, who redshirted in 2012, participated in the Elite 11 quarterback camp in high school.
Penn State -- Last spring, Matt McGloin separated himself to win the starting job. Penn State hopes to see similar growth from Steven Bench, who backed up McGloin in 2012 but attempted only eight passes. Bench will compete with junior-college arrival Tyler Ferguson, who passed for 2,614 yards and 22 touchdowns in 10 games for The College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif.
Wisconsin -- As mentioned above, the Badgers have a crowded mix at quarterback after starting three different players last season. Stave is back after being sidelined by a collarbone injury, while Phillips received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA. Houston dazzled during bowl practices, and O'Brien tries to get back in the mix after falling down the depth chart last fall. The candidates try to impress offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig and a new coaching staff.
It's time to vote. Make yours count.
My vote goes to Wisconsin because the Badgers have three one-time starters in the mix -- Joel Stave, Curt Phillips and Danny O'Brien -- along with their most heralded quarterback recruit in years (Bart Houston). But other races have their own intrigue.
Our poll limits us to five options, and here they are ...
Iowa -- Jake Rudock backed up James Vandenberg throughout last season but didn't take a single snap even though the offense struggled. He certainly could be next in line for the Hawkeyes, but Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard also are in the mix. Sokol is a junior-college transfer who redshirted last year after throwing for 3,807 yards with 43 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College. Beathard led the state of Tennessee in passing during his high school senior year.
Michigan State -- Andrew Maxwell started all 13 games last season for the Spartans and will enter the spring as the team's No. 1 quarterback. He still has the support of head coach Mark Dantonio, but he'll have to distance himself from Connor Cook and Tyler O'Connor. Cook replaced Maxwell in Michigan State's Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl win against TCU. O'Connor, who redshirted in 2012, participated in the Elite 11 quarterback camp in high school.
Penn State -- Last spring, Matt McGloin separated himself to win the starting job. Penn State hopes to see similar growth from Steven Bench, who backed up McGloin in 2012 but attempted only eight passes. Bench will compete with junior-college arrival Tyler Ferguson, who passed for 2,614 yards and 22 touchdowns in 10 games for The College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif.
Wisconsin -- As mentioned above, the Badgers have a crowded mix at quarterback after starting three different players last season. Stave is back after being sidelined by a collarbone injury, while Phillips received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA. Houston dazzled during bowl practices, and O'Brien tries to get back in the mix after falling down the depth chart last fall. The candidates try to impress offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig and a new coaching staff.
It's time to vote. Make yours count.
Spring practice has begun in the Big Ten, so let's take a look at what to expect from each Legends Division team this spring.
IOWA
Spring start: March 27
Spring game: April 27
What to watch:
1. Questions at quarterback: The Hawkeyes played James Vandenberg for every snap last season, and now that he's gone, they have no quarterbacks on the roster with any game experience. Sophomore Jake Rudock has been viewed as Vandenberg's successor, but he's still a mostly unknown quantity who should get pushed in the spring by former junior college transfer Cody Sokol and redshirt freshman C.J. Beathard. Whoever wins the job will be tasked with improving an Iowa passing game that finished with a Big Ten-worst seven touchdown passes in 2012.
2. Skills competition: While the quarterback race is vital, Iowa also needs standouts to emerge at the other skill positions to fix an offense that sputtered under first-year coordinator Greg Davis. The wideout corps, which struggled to get separation or make big plays, now is without departed senior Keenan Davis, who tied for the team lead with 571 receiving yards. There's a reason why Iowa signed five receivers in the 2013 class. The running back position has strength in numbers, with Damon Bullock, Mark Weisman, Jordan Canzeri and Barkley Hill all competing for carries this spring. The Hawkeyes just need to finally get some luck in the health and off-field departments at that position while hoping one player emerges as the go-to back.
3. Transition game: Iowa long had one of the most stable staffs in the country. But coach Kirk Ferentz added three new assistants this offseason for the second straight year, giving the program some fresh voices but also causing some potential bumps in transition. The offense in particular didn't mesh well last season under Davis, who'll look for solutions this spring. Ferentz has new coaches overseeing the running backs (Chris White) and receivers (Bobby Kennedy) and a new defensive assistant who'll work with the linebackers (Jim Reid). The Hawkeyes hope they can inject some life into a program that has seen its fortunes dip the past couple of seasons, including last year's 4-8 disaster.
MICHIGAN
Spring start: March 16
Spring game: April 13
What to watch:
1. Devin Gardner as starter: Denard Robinson is gone and Gardner is the presumed Michigan starter for the first time. How he adjusts to that -- and how Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges develops more of a pro-style offense around him -- are a major launching point for the Wolverines next season.
2. Offensive line play: Michigan is replacing the entire interior of its offensive line and while there is a lot of young talent there, none of the potential candidates have any experience. Michigan offensive line coach Darrell Funk said he would like to have at least one of the three slots, if not two, settled by the end of spring.
3. Linebacker competition: The deepest position on Michigan’s roster also has the most competition. Jake Ryan at strongside linebacker is almost a given, but the middle and weak side slots are wide open. A bevy of freshmen and sophomores, along with returning starter Desmond Morgan, will vie for playing time in what will be a likely increased rotation in the fall.
-- Michael Rothstein, WolverineNation
MICHIGAN STATE
Spring start: March 19
Spring game: April 20
What to watch:
1. Still Maxwell's house?: Senior Andrew Maxwell started all 13 games last season at quarterback but was pulled in favor of freshman Connor Cook for the deciding drive of the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. The Spartans will open up the competition under center, with Tyler O'Connor and eventually incoming freshman Damion Terry joining the fray. Though he has a big edge in experience, Maxwell will have to prove that he can greatly increase last season's 52.5 completion percentage to hold onto the job through the spring.
2. Replacing Bell: Saying running back Le'Veon Bell was a big part of the 2012 offense is like saying Tom Hanks had substantial role in "Cast Away." Bell carried the ball 382 times last year, more than any back in the country, and gained 1,793 yards. There is no ready-made in-house replacement, as leading returning rusher Nick Hill had just 21 rushing attempts last year and may be too slight (5-foot-8, 190 pounds) to be an every-down back. Junior Jeremy Langford will move back to the backfield after seeing time at receiver. Signees Delton Williams, Gerald Holmes and R.J. Shelton might wind up with the job.
3. New playcaller in town: Mark Dantonio has yet to officially announce a replacement for former offensive coordinator Dan Roushar, who recently left for an assistant's post with the NFL's New Orleans Saints. But reports are that former Ohio State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman has been tapped to lead the Spartans' offense. Can Bollman, whom Buckeyes fans criticized as being too conservative, find the solutions for what was a dreadful attack in 2012? The Spartans' defense once again enters spring ball with very few question marks. Michigan State's hopes rely heavily on how much progress it can make on the offensive side.
MINNESOTA
Spring start: March 26
Spring game: April 27
What to watch:
1. Defensive back end: The Gophers lost two outstanding cornerbacks in Michael Carter and Troy Stoudermire, as well as starting linebackers Mike Rallis and Keanon Cooper. Jerry Kill has tried to address this during recruiting, adding a pair of well-regarded junior college linebackers (De'Vondre Campbell and Damien Wilson) as well as touted high school corner Jalen Myrick. But some holdovers from last season's roster will have to step into bigger roles this spring.
2. The full Nelson: True freshman Philip Nelson took over the quarterback job midseason and now will enter practice as the starter. He showed flashes of immense potential but still has a lot of things to learn. Kill has said Nelson is no lock to start in 2013 and that he'll face legitimate competition from redshirt freshman Mitch Leidner and incoming freshman Chris Streveler. Nelson has the inside track for now but must hold onto it.
3. Receiving line: The Gophers don't have a returning wideout who had more than 375 receiving yards last year, though Derrick Engel showed promise with a 100-yard day in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. You can blame some of that on the turnover and youth at quarterback. But Minnesota needs much better play at receiver to become a more balanced offense. Improvement by guys like Devin Crawford-Tufts and Isaac Fruechte this spring will help, as would some immediate contributions from recruits Eric Carter and Drew Wolitarsky.
NEBRASKA
Spring start: March 2
Spring game: April 6
What to watch:
1. Youth movement on defense: The Cornhuskers lost eight starters from last season's defense and will hope that some athletic young players are ready to step in. Guys like Charles Jackson, Jonathan Rose and Thomas Brown will be given long looks this spring. Nebraska coaches are hopeful that what they lack in experience, they'll make up for in speed. There's no bigger key for Big Red than having its young defenders make great strides in the spring.
2. Safety issues: The safety spot is an important one in Bo Pelini's scheme, and the Huskers lose both starters and a couple of top reserves from that position. Jackson will be given a look there, and the staff is high on Corey Cooper. But no starting jobs are locked down.
3. Martinez's progression: Senior quarterback Taylor Martinez won't be involved in a lot of live drills, and the spring will be a time to get freshman Tommy Armstrong some reps. But Martinez still needs to fine-tune a few parts of his game, most notably his tendency to force throws in key spots. He made great progress last offseason through extra hours of hard work; a similar leap this spring would make Martinez one of the very best players in the country.
NORTHWESTERN
Spring start: Feb. 27
Spring game: April 13
What to watch:
1. The quarterback duo: The Wildcats spent large parts of last season rotating Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian, using Siemian for more obvious passing situations. Will that continue this season? Colter needs to improve as a passer to become a better option as an every-down quarterback, and Northwestern's downfield passing game must get better. You can bet there will be a lot of eyes on Colter and Siemian this spring to see what offensive coordinator Mick McCall has planned.
2. Secondary concerns: The news that cornerback Nick VanHoose won't practice this spring because of injury could be a blessing in disguise. The Wildcats' secondary struggled when he was hurt last season, so this may provide an opportunity for others to get better without him. Jimmy Hall and Traveon Henry are youngsters who should see plenty of reps this spring in the defensive backfield.
3. Offensive line makeover: Three starters are gone from last season's offensive line, including both guards and left tackle Patrick Ward. Jack Konopka is the favorite to succeed Ward but will miss the spring with injuries, while 2012 signee Adam DePietro is among those who could step in at guard. Northwestern should have one of the best running games in the Big Ten in 2013 but will need its line to begin to take shape this spring.
IOWA
Spring start: March 27
Spring game: April 27
What to watch:
1. Questions at quarterback: The Hawkeyes played James Vandenberg for every snap last season, and now that he's gone, they have no quarterbacks on the roster with any game experience. Sophomore Jake Rudock has been viewed as Vandenberg's successor, but he's still a mostly unknown quantity who should get pushed in the spring by former junior college transfer Cody Sokol and redshirt freshman C.J. Beathard. Whoever wins the job will be tasked with improving an Iowa passing game that finished with a Big Ten-worst seven touchdown passes in 2012.
2. Skills competition: While the quarterback race is vital, Iowa also needs standouts to emerge at the other skill positions to fix an offense that sputtered under first-year coordinator Greg Davis. The wideout corps, which struggled to get separation or make big plays, now is without departed senior Keenan Davis, who tied for the team lead with 571 receiving yards. There's a reason why Iowa signed five receivers in the 2013 class. The running back position has strength in numbers, with Damon Bullock, Mark Weisman, Jordan Canzeri and Barkley Hill all competing for carries this spring. The Hawkeyes just need to finally get some luck in the health and off-field departments at that position while hoping one player emerges as the go-to back.
3. Transition game: Iowa long had one of the most stable staffs in the country. But coach Kirk Ferentz added three new assistants this offseason for the second straight year, giving the program some fresh voices but also causing some potential bumps in transition. The offense in particular didn't mesh well last season under Davis, who'll look for solutions this spring. Ferentz has new coaches overseeing the running backs (Chris White) and receivers (Bobby Kennedy) and a new defensive assistant who'll work with the linebackers (Jim Reid). The Hawkeyes hope they can inject some life into a program that has seen its fortunes dip the past couple of seasons, including last year's 4-8 disaster.
MICHIGAN
Spring start: March 16
Spring game: April 13
What to watch:
1. Devin Gardner as starter: Denard Robinson is gone and Gardner is the presumed Michigan starter for the first time. How he adjusts to that -- and how Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges develops more of a pro-style offense around him -- are a major launching point for the Wolverines next season.
2. Offensive line play: Michigan is replacing the entire interior of its offensive line and while there is a lot of young talent there, none of the potential candidates have any experience. Michigan offensive line coach Darrell Funk said he would like to have at least one of the three slots, if not two, settled by the end of spring.
3. Linebacker competition: The deepest position on Michigan’s roster also has the most competition. Jake Ryan at strongside linebacker is almost a given, but the middle and weak side slots are wide open. A bevy of freshmen and sophomores, along with returning starter Desmond Morgan, will vie for playing time in what will be a likely increased rotation in the fall.
-- Michael Rothstein, WolverineNation
MICHIGAN STATE
Spring start: March 19
Spring game: April 20
What to watch:
1. Still Maxwell's house?: Senior Andrew Maxwell started all 13 games last season at quarterback but was pulled in favor of freshman Connor Cook for the deciding drive of the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. The Spartans will open up the competition under center, with Tyler O'Connor and eventually incoming freshman Damion Terry joining the fray. Though he has a big edge in experience, Maxwell will have to prove that he can greatly increase last season's 52.5 completion percentage to hold onto the job through the spring.
2. Replacing Bell: Saying running back Le'Veon Bell was a big part of the 2012 offense is like saying Tom Hanks had substantial role in "Cast Away." Bell carried the ball 382 times last year, more than any back in the country, and gained 1,793 yards. There is no ready-made in-house replacement, as leading returning rusher Nick Hill had just 21 rushing attempts last year and may be too slight (5-foot-8, 190 pounds) to be an every-down back. Junior Jeremy Langford will move back to the backfield after seeing time at receiver. Signees Delton Williams, Gerald Holmes and R.J. Shelton might wind up with the job.
3. New playcaller in town: Mark Dantonio has yet to officially announce a replacement for former offensive coordinator Dan Roushar, who recently left for an assistant's post with the NFL's New Orleans Saints. But reports are that former Ohio State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman has been tapped to lead the Spartans' offense. Can Bollman, whom Buckeyes fans criticized as being too conservative, find the solutions for what was a dreadful attack in 2012? The Spartans' defense once again enters spring ball with very few question marks. Michigan State's hopes rely heavily on how much progress it can make on the offensive side.
MINNESOTA
Spring start: March 26
Spring game: April 27
What to watch:
1. Defensive back end: The Gophers lost two outstanding cornerbacks in Michael Carter and Troy Stoudermire, as well as starting linebackers Mike Rallis and Keanon Cooper. Jerry Kill has tried to address this during recruiting, adding a pair of well-regarded junior college linebackers (De'Vondre Campbell and Damien Wilson) as well as touted high school corner Jalen Myrick. But some holdovers from last season's roster will have to step into bigger roles this spring.
2. The full Nelson: True freshman Philip Nelson took over the quarterback job midseason and now will enter practice as the starter. He showed flashes of immense potential but still has a lot of things to learn. Kill has said Nelson is no lock to start in 2013 and that he'll face legitimate competition from redshirt freshman Mitch Leidner and incoming freshman Chris Streveler. Nelson has the inside track for now but must hold onto it.
3. Receiving line: The Gophers don't have a returning wideout who had more than 375 receiving yards last year, though Derrick Engel showed promise with a 100-yard day in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. You can blame some of that on the turnover and youth at quarterback. But Minnesota needs much better play at receiver to become a more balanced offense. Improvement by guys like Devin Crawford-Tufts and Isaac Fruechte this spring will help, as would some immediate contributions from recruits Eric Carter and Drew Wolitarsky.
NEBRASKA
Spring start: March 2
Spring game: April 6
What to watch:
1. Youth movement on defense: The Cornhuskers lost eight starters from last season's defense and will hope that some athletic young players are ready to step in. Guys like Charles Jackson, Jonathan Rose and Thomas Brown will be given long looks this spring. Nebraska coaches are hopeful that what they lack in experience, they'll make up for in speed. There's no bigger key for Big Red than having its young defenders make great strides in the spring.
2. Safety issues: The safety spot is an important one in Bo Pelini's scheme, and the Huskers lose both starters and a couple of top reserves from that position. Jackson will be given a look there, and the staff is high on Corey Cooper. But no starting jobs are locked down.
3. Martinez's progression: Senior quarterback Taylor Martinez won't be involved in a lot of live drills, and the spring will be a time to get freshman Tommy Armstrong some reps. But Martinez still needs to fine-tune a few parts of his game, most notably his tendency to force throws in key spots. He made great progress last offseason through extra hours of hard work; a similar leap this spring would make Martinez one of the very best players in the country.
NORTHWESTERN
Spring start: Feb. 27
Spring game: April 13
What to watch:
1. The quarterback duo: The Wildcats spent large parts of last season rotating Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian, using Siemian for more obvious passing situations. Will that continue this season? Colter needs to improve as a passer to become a better option as an every-down quarterback, and Northwestern's downfield passing game must get better. You can bet there will be a lot of eyes on Colter and Siemian this spring to see what offensive coordinator Mick McCall has planned.
2. Secondary concerns: The news that cornerback Nick VanHoose won't practice this spring because of injury could be a blessing in disguise. The Wildcats' secondary struggled when he was hurt last season, so this may provide an opportunity for others to get better without him. Jimmy Hall and Traveon Henry are youngsters who should see plenty of reps this spring in the defensive backfield.
3. Offensive line makeover: Three starters are gone from last season's offensive line, including both guards and left tackle Patrick Ward. Jack Konopka is the favorite to succeed Ward but will miss the spring with injuries, while 2012 signee Adam DePietro is among those who could step in at guard. Northwestern should have one of the best running games in the Big Ten in 2013 but will need its line to begin to take shape this spring.
Coming back at you with another edition of the mailbag. Remember, I'm going Mondays and Thursdays right now, so fill the bag up with your questions here. And get them answered here:
Bill from Ottawa, Ill., writes: I'd like to comment on the Danny Hope article. I find it ridiculous that he is claiming, still, that he deserved to continue his tenure at Purdue. Purdue, defensively, ranked among the worst teams in the B1G in almost every statistical category despite having according to Hope, "the best" talent of his tenure. Offensively the team was mediocre; I believe we had more potential but Hope limited us with his QB controversy (Marve was statistically better than TerBush -- even according to MINITAB (stat software)). He couldn't even keep it close to the B1G's elite teams save Ohio State. When you rank last in the B1G in XPs that speaks for itself. Lastly what is with his poor interview etiquette? Taking pot shots at your former employer is childish. If I was a MAC program I wouldn't hire him: whiny attitude, total lack of accountability, and poor coaching. Darrell Hazell is Hope's polar opposite, thankfully. Boiler Up!
Brian Bennett: Hope has always seemed like a decent enough guy, and his players liked him. Did Purdue give him the greatest resources? No, and you could argue that his pay scale for assistants was too low for a Big Ten team. The problem is that Hope just didn't show much in his four years to convince anyone he was a great head coach. His teams often were sloppy and at times looked unprepared, as they did in this year's game at Minnesota. And there was absolutely zero fan enthusiasm for him. Morgan Burke had little choice but to make a change unless he wanted another year of an empty Ross-Ade Stadium draining the entire athletic department budget. You make an interesting point about the impact of Hope's comments. Coaches don't often criticize their former employers so publicly, and that could make the next athletic director who's considering hiring Hope at least a bit wary.
Curtis from Evanston, Ill., writes: How come no one talks about any budding rivalry for Northwestern/ Nebraska? The first two games of the series have been extremely exciting and intriguing with both winning at the other's stadiums. As a Wildcat fan, Nebraska is the B1G football team I hate the most (they should be "UN" not "NU" which is Northwestern University) and the game I look forward to the most (well, maybe).
Brian Bennett: Well, there's no real natural reason like geography for a rivalry there. But a history of great games can turn two schools into rivals pretty quickly, and often more organically than forced rivalries based on nothing but geography. For example, which rivalry is more heated right now, Iowa-Nebraska or Wisconsin-Michigan State? Two good games alone won't do the trick, but if those schools keep playing tight contests and spoiling the other's season, it will ramp up fast.
Ray from Champaign writes: Tortured Illini fan here. Any chance Coach Beckman's gamble on juco transfers pays immediate dividends? Bowl game this season? Please?
Brian Bennett: Ray, I feel your pain. Tim Beckman brought in five junior college transfers, which to me isn't really a gamble as much as it is a move to fill desperate needs. If even three of those guys hit in a big way, that will help. But the Illini were so bad in so many areas last year that those guys alone aren't going to be enough to make this a bowl team. That will take vast improvement across all areas, especially the offensive line. I do expect Illinois to get better, because how could it be much worse than 2012? Bill Cubit was an interesting hire for offensive coordinator and should help there. But the schedule, which includes games against Cincinnati and Washington, plus conference crossover matchups against Nebraska, Michigan State and Northwestern, is unforgiving. This team could be a whole lot better and still go something like 4-8. Hang in there.
Jeff from Madison, Wis., writes: Hey Brian: I think I tried asking Adam this once before but no reply, so I will try you. Would the Badgers and Packers ever strike some sort of a deal to have Wisconsin play at Lambeau Field sometime, possibly for a marquee non-conference game? Seems like a great idea to me. Or am I just dreaming?
Brian Bennett: The idea has already been discussed, and athletic director Barry Alvarez said last fall that there was a proposal to play Cal at Lambeau. Wisconsin and the Green Bay Packers both seem open to the idea. The stumbling block is that Alvarez said he wouldn't move one of the Badgers' seven home games per season at Camp Randall Stadium to Green Bay. So an opponent would have to give up a home game to play there (think Northern Illinois versus Iowa last year at Soldier Field) or it would have to be a year where Wisconsin has eight home games on the schedule. With the likelihood of nine conference games coming, the logistics could prove hard to work out. But it would be cool to see.
Jon G. from Chicago writes: The new Badgers DC Dave Aranda has said that he wants to incorporate some 3-4 into the defensive playbook next year, and likely will make the permanent switch in a year or two as soon as he has the right personnel. Which B1G teams currently run a 3-4 defense, and has it been successful stopping B1G offenses?
Brian Bennett: No Big Ten teams currently run the 3-4 as their base or even main defensive scheme. Which makes sense in such a run-heavy league. But I can give you one example of a 3-4 stopping Big Ten offenses quite well: Notre Dame. The Irish allowed a total of 26 points in beating Purdue, Michigan State and Michigan last year and had one of the best defenses in the country. So it can definitely work. The key is recruiting the right kind of players, and that's why it's wise for Aranda to gradually transition into that kind of scheme
Samuel from Iowa City writes: Brian, just read your column about Iowa's forthcoming QB battle. As we all know, Vandenberg owned the position last season. None of the young men who will be vying for the position are seniors. So, do you think we'll be looking at Iowa's QB not just for next season, but for the near future? (Barring an epic collapse, of course.)
Brian Bennett: That all depends on whether one of the younger players seizes the position and runs with it. One of the candidates, Cody Sokol, is a junior, so the longest he could have the job is two years. Iowa would love to see one of the candidates create separation and play so well that everyone else fades to the background. The worst-case scenario would be for your starter to turn in a mediocre performance and have the competition linger into the season and beyond, creating controversy. If a younger player like Jake Rudock or C.J. Beathard does take control of the job, you could see a possible transfer or two. Same goes for any Big Ten team that has several players vying for the starting job, like Wisconsin, Michigan State and Purdue.
Phil from Indy writes: In looking at upcoming draft, only one Big 10 player is projected to go in 1st round. 15 SEC players are projected to go in 1st round. What are the main reasons for falling so far behind in the talent dept?
Brian Bennett: Adam did a good job earlier today of showing how the Big Ten has struggled to produce high first-round draft picks in recent years -- no top 10 picks since 2008 and no one higher than No. 23 last year. The league did have four picks in the first round last year, and there's plenty of time between now and April for Big Ten products to work themselves into the end of Round 1. But the conference hasn't been churning out the uber-elite draft picks of late, while leagues like the SEC, Big 12 and even the ACC have. The most rational explanation sure seems to be geography, as the best recruits and the best athletes are often located in the South. That's another big reason why the Big Ten wants to change its demographics in expansion.
Then again, if you can get a Big Ten player like Tom Brady in Round 6, that's not so bad.
Bill from Ottawa, Ill., writes: I'd like to comment on the Danny Hope article. I find it ridiculous that he is claiming, still, that he deserved to continue his tenure at Purdue. Purdue, defensively, ranked among the worst teams in the B1G in almost every statistical category despite having according to Hope, "the best" talent of his tenure. Offensively the team was mediocre; I believe we had more potential but Hope limited us with his QB controversy (Marve was statistically better than TerBush -- even according to MINITAB (stat software)). He couldn't even keep it close to the B1G's elite teams save Ohio State. When you rank last in the B1G in XPs that speaks for itself. Lastly what is with his poor interview etiquette? Taking pot shots at your former employer is childish. If I was a MAC program I wouldn't hire him: whiny attitude, total lack of accountability, and poor coaching. Darrell Hazell is Hope's polar opposite, thankfully. Boiler Up!
Brian Bennett: Hope has always seemed like a decent enough guy, and his players liked him. Did Purdue give him the greatest resources? No, and you could argue that his pay scale for assistants was too low for a Big Ten team. The problem is that Hope just didn't show much in his four years to convince anyone he was a great head coach. His teams often were sloppy and at times looked unprepared, as they did in this year's game at Minnesota. And there was absolutely zero fan enthusiasm for him. Morgan Burke had little choice but to make a change unless he wanted another year of an empty Ross-Ade Stadium draining the entire athletic department budget. You make an interesting point about the impact of Hope's comments. Coaches don't often criticize their former employers so publicly, and that could make the next athletic director who's considering hiring Hope at least a bit wary.
Curtis from Evanston, Ill., writes: How come no one talks about any budding rivalry for Northwestern/ Nebraska? The first two games of the series have been extremely exciting and intriguing with both winning at the other's stadiums. As a Wildcat fan, Nebraska is the B1G football team I hate the most (they should be "UN" not "NU" which is Northwestern University) and the game I look forward to the most (well, maybe).
Brian Bennett: Well, there's no real natural reason like geography for a rivalry there. But a history of great games can turn two schools into rivals pretty quickly, and often more organically than forced rivalries based on nothing but geography. For example, which rivalry is more heated right now, Iowa-Nebraska or Wisconsin-Michigan State? Two good games alone won't do the trick, but if those schools keep playing tight contests and spoiling the other's season, it will ramp up fast.
Ray from Champaign writes: Tortured Illini fan here. Any chance Coach Beckman's gamble on juco transfers pays immediate dividends? Bowl game this season? Please?
Brian Bennett: Ray, I feel your pain. Tim Beckman brought in five junior college transfers, which to me isn't really a gamble as much as it is a move to fill desperate needs. If even three of those guys hit in a big way, that will help. But the Illini were so bad in so many areas last year that those guys alone aren't going to be enough to make this a bowl team. That will take vast improvement across all areas, especially the offensive line. I do expect Illinois to get better, because how could it be much worse than 2012? Bill Cubit was an interesting hire for offensive coordinator and should help there. But the schedule, which includes games against Cincinnati and Washington, plus conference crossover matchups against Nebraska, Michigan State and Northwestern, is unforgiving. This team could be a whole lot better and still go something like 4-8. Hang in there.
Jeff from Madison, Wis., writes: Hey Brian: I think I tried asking Adam this once before but no reply, so I will try you. Would the Badgers and Packers ever strike some sort of a deal to have Wisconsin play at Lambeau Field sometime, possibly for a marquee non-conference game? Seems like a great idea to me. Or am I just dreaming?
Brian Bennett: The idea has already been discussed, and athletic director Barry Alvarez said last fall that there was a proposal to play Cal at Lambeau. Wisconsin and the Green Bay Packers both seem open to the idea. The stumbling block is that Alvarez said he wouldn't move one of the Badgers' seven home games per season at Camp Randall Stadium to Green Bay. So an opponent would have to give up a home game to play there (think Northern Illinois versus Iowa last year at Soldier Field) or it would have to be a year where Wisconsin has eight home games on the schedule. With the likelihood of nine conference games coming, the logistics could prove hard to work out. But it would be cool to see.
Jon G. from Chicago writes: The new Badgers DC Dave Aranda has said that he wants to incorporate some 3-4 into the defensive playbook next year, and likely will make the permanent switch in a year or two as soon as he has the right personnel. Which B1G teams currently run a 3-4 defense, and has it been successful stopping B1G offenses?
Brian Bennett: No Big Ten teams currently run the 3-4 as their base or even main defensive scheme. Which makes sense in such a run-heavy league. But I can give you one example of a 3-4 stopping Big Ten offenses quite well: Notre Dame. The Irish allowed a total of 26 points in beating Purdue, Michigan State and Michigan last year and had one of the best defenses in the country. So it can definitely work. The key is recruiting the right kind of players, and that's why it's wise for Aranda to gradually transition into that kind of scheme
Samuel from Iowa City writes: Brian, just read your column about Iowa's forthcoming QB battle. As we all know, Vandenberg owned the position last season. None of the young men who will be vying for the position are seniors. So, do you think we'll be looking at Iowa's QB not just for next season, but for the near future? (Barring an epic collapse, of course.)
Brian Bennett: That all depends on whether one of the younger players seizes the position and runs with it. One of the candidates, Cody Sokol, is a junior, so the longest he could have the job is two years. Iowa would love to see one of the candidates create separation and play so well that everyone else fades to the background. The worst-case scenario would be for your starter to turn in a mediocre performance and have the competition linger into the season and beyond, creating controversy. If a younger player like Jake Rudock or C.J. Beathard does take control of the job, you could see a possible transfer or two. Same goes for any Big Ten team that has several players vying for the starting job, like Wisconsin, Michigan State and Purdue.
Phil from Indy writes: In looking at upcoming draft, only one Big 10 player is projected to go in 1st round. 15 SEC players are projected to go in 1st round. What are the main reasons for falling so far behind in the talent dept?
Brian Bennett: Adam did a good job earlier today of showing how the Big Ten has struggled to produce high first-round draft picks in recent years -- no top 10 picks since 2008 and no one higher than No. 23 last year. The league did have four picks in the first round last year, and there's plenty of time between now and April for Big Ten products to work themselves into the end of Round 1. But the conference hasn't been churning out the uber-elite draft picks of late, while leagues like the SEC, Big 12 and even the ACC have. The most rational explanation sure seems to be geography, as the best recruits and the best athletes are often located in the South. That's another big reason why the Big Ten wants to change its demographics in expansion.
Then again, if you can get a Big Ten player like Tom Brady in Round 6, that's not so bad.
With Northwestern beginning spring practice today and others coming up soon, we're taking a closer look at the quarterback battles looming for several Big Ten teams. They're guaranteed to get plenty of attention from fans during the 15 spring practice sessions and throughout the summer.
Next up in our series: the Iowa Hawkeyes
Incumbent (2012 stats): None. Departed senior James Vandenberg (2,249 passing yards, seven touchdowns, eight interceptions, 57.3 completion percentage) started all 12 games last year.
Spring contenders: Jake Rudock, sophomore; Cody Sokol, junior; C.J. Beathard, redshirt freshman.
Summer contender: Nic Shimonek, incoming freshman.
The skinny: Prepare yourself for what looks like the most wide-open quarterback competition of the Kirk Ferentz era in Iowa City.
Just going by last year's depth chart, Rudock would appear to have the edge. He was Vandenberg's backup all year long, after all. But that was pretty much in name only, as Rudock didn't take a single snap in 2012. Ferentz, in fact, didn't play anyone but Vandenberg at quarterback, meaning none of the 2013 contenders have a moment of major college experience under their belts.
And it wasn't as if Vandenberg was so good that Iowa couldn't afford to take him out last year. The Hawkeyes also were involved in some blowouts where they could have given a backup some experience. Did Iowa's coaches keep Rudock on the sideline because of a lack of confidence in him? Were they making sure they could redshirt Sokol, a junior college transfer, and Beathard?
No one knows for sure the answers to those questions, but it does appear as if all three will be given a legitimate chance to win the starting job this offseason.
The 6-foot-3 Rudock was a star in high school in South Florida. He has been in the system a year longer than the other two spring contenders. The 6-foot-2 Beathard led the state of Tennessee in passing during his high school senior year and won an offensive team leader award in the offseason. The 6-foot-2 Sokol transferred last year from junior college, where he threw for 3,807 yards and 43 touchdowns.
For what it's worth, here's what Vandenberg told reporters about his potential successor late last year.
"Jake has kind of been groomed for the spot and Cody is a juco guy, the oldest and the most mature guy in the room although he's only been here a semester and a half," Vandenberg said. "C.J. really has no idea what he's doing yet, but you can see his natural talent. He can really throw the ball."
And don't forget Shimonek. Though it's hard to imagine Ferentz going with a true freshman at quarterback, Shimonek was personally recruited out of Texas by Hawkeyes offensive coordinator Greg Davis. If the others fail to impress and Davis feels Shimonek best fits his system, then who knows?
Prediction: Because Iowa doesn't give out a lot of information or open its practices, we're pretty much left to read the tea leaves here. Rudock appeared to be the heir apparent, but he doesn't have any real game experience edge and was recruited before Davis took over the offense. As we saw last year, Vandenberg wasn't a great fit for Davis' scheme. Beathard has a lot of talent and was originally committed to Ole Miss. Sokol was extremely productive at junior college.
Ferentz's few public comments so far on the quarterback situation indicate that this will be a truly open battle. It's anybody's guess right now who will come out on top. We'd be surprised if this one is settled before fall camp.
Next up in our series: the Iowa Hawkeyes
Incumbent (2012 stats): None. Departed senior James Vandenberg (2,249 passing yards, seven touchdowns, eight interceptions, 57.3 completion percentage) started all 12 games last year.
Spring contenders: Jake Rudock, sophomore; Cody Sokol, junior; C.J. Beathard, redshirt freshman.
Summer contender: Nic Shimonek, incoming freshman.
The skinny: Prepare yourself for what looks like the most wide-open quarterback competition of the Kirk Ferentz era in Iowa City.
Just going by last year's depth chart, Rudock would appear to have the edge. He was Vandenberg's backup all year long, after all. But that was pretty much in name only, as Rudock didn't take a single snap in 2012. Ferentz, in fact, didn't play anyone but Vandenberg at quarterback, meaning none of the 2013 contenders have a moment of major college experience under their belts.
And it wasn't as if Vandenberg was so good that Iowa couldn't afford to take him out last year. The Hawkeyes also were involved in some blowouts where they could have given a backup some experience. Did Iowa's coaches keep Rudock on the sideline because of a lack of confidence in him? Were they making sure they could redshirt Sokol, a junior college transfer, and Beathard?
No one knows for sure the answers to those questions, but it does appear as if all three will be given a legitimate chance to win the starting job this offseason.
The 6-foot-3 Rudock was a star in high school in South Florida. He has been in the system a year longer than the other two spring contenders. The 6-foot-2 Beathard led the state of Tennessee in passing during his high school senior year and won an offensive team leader award in the offseason. The 6-foot-2 Sokol transferred last year from junior college, where he threw for 3,807 yards and 43 touchdowns.
For what it's worth, here's what Vandenberg told reporters about his potential successor late last year.
"Jake has kind of been groomed for the spot and Cody is a juco guy, the oldest and the most mature guy in the room although he's only been here a semester and a half," Vandenberg said. "C.J. really has no idea what he's doing yet, but you can see his natural talent. He can really throw the ball."
And don't forget Shimonek. Though it's hard to imagine Ferentz going with a true freshman at quarterback, Shimonek was personally recruited out of Texas by Hawkeyes offensive coordinator Greg Davis. If the others fail to impress and Davis feels Shimonek best fits his system, then who knows?
Prediction: Because Iowa doesn't give out a lot of information or open its practices, we're pretty much left to read the tea leaves here. Rudock appeared to be the heir apparent, but he doesn't have any real game experience edge and was recruited before Davis took over the offense. As we saw last year, Vandenberg wasn't a great fit for Davis' scheme. Beathard has a lot of talent and was originally committed to Ole Miss. Sokol was extremely productive at junior college.
Ferentz's few public comments so far on the quarterback situation indicate that this will be a truly open battle. It's anybody's guess right now who will come out on top. We'd be surprised if this one is settled before fall camp.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
Brian Bennett
Bennett joined ESPN.com in August 2008 after nine years at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., where he covered college sports and the University of Louisville beat. He lives in Louisville.
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