IOWA CITY, Iowa — To glean much of anything offensive from Iowa’s practices this spring is like trying to catch a punt with the ball passing through the bright sunshine. You know the ball’s general direction, but you hope you don’t go temporarily blind after squinting hard for several seconds.

Postseason surgeries and early practice injuries dented much of Iowa’s offensive line and wide receiver corps, two units that really struggled last year. It was unfortunate for those groups hoping to build chemistry and consistency, but there wasn’t much to do other than work with whoever was available.

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“It’s probably more about the individual growth of a guy, not so much a cohesive thing,” coach Kirk Ferentz said. “You always have a fair amount of guys that are not practicing in the spring because of injuries, surgeries they may have had in January, that type of thing. Seems to be par for the course. You got that going on. Even the guys that weren’t practicing, there’s still an opportunity to get better and improve.”

Three offensive units appeared to surge throughout the spring. Transfers Cade McNamara and Deacon Hill elevated the quarterbacks, despite McNamara not practicing in 11-on-11 drills after knee surgery last fall. Three running backs are taking steps forward with sophomore Kaleb Johnson appearing like a legitimate Big Ten runner. Finally, the tight end duo of Luke Lachey and Michigan transfer Erick All could become the program’s best tandem since first-round NFL Draft picks Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson during the 2018 season.

With spring practice wrapped up and the coaching staff seeking at least one more receiver in the transfer portal, here’s a look at Iowa’s unofficial offensive depth chart:

Quarterbacks

Starter: McNamara (Sr., 6-foot-1, 206, Michigan transfer)

Backups: Deacon Hill (Soph., 6-3, 230); Joe Labas (Soph., 6-4, 207O

Others: Marco Lainez III (Fr., 6-3, 230); Spencer Petras (on roster while rehabbing shoulder)

Key departures: Alex Padilla (graduate transfer, SMU), Carson May (transfer, Coffeyville Community College)

Overview: If there was one physical trait noticeable from Iowa’s lone open scrimmage, it was the tighter releases by McNamara and Hill over their predecessors. They got the ball out quicker and on target more frequently. For McNamara, it was during the 7-on-7 portion while Hill competed in every portion of practice. Both were accurate and patient, yet decisive when required.

GO DEEPER

Cade McNamara fitting in nicely with Iowa teammates

There’s not enough to deduct for McNamara other than he was on point. Hill’s big arm came through often on a cold and windy day, but the opportunities were limited. The offense had only one scholarship receiver available, and Iowa’s starting secondary is one of the nation’s best. Hill and Labas completed a few nice passes against the defensive reserves.

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Overall, this unit probably boasts the clearest upgrade over Iowa’s 2022 version. McNamara is the solidified starter, and his experience at Michigan offers a window into his strengths. Hill is a bona fide No. 2, something Iowa hasn’t had in multiple years. While Labas sits behind Hill and he still makes too many mistakes (unlike in his Music City Bowl appearance), his year-over-year growth is obvious, too.

Running backs

Starter: Kaleb Johnson (Soph., 6-0, 212)

Backups: Leshon Williams (Jr., 5-10, 210); Jaziun Patterson (R-Fr., 5-10, 188); Terrell Washington (Jr., Fr., 5-11, 195)

Fullback: Hayden Large (Sr., 6-5, 240, Dordt College transfer, walk-on)

Others: Kamari Moulton (Fr., 5-11, 185); FB Eli Miller (Soph., 6-1, 232, walk-on, out for season)

Key departures: RB Gavin Williams (transfer, Northern Illinois), FB Monte Pottebaum

Overview: There is plenty to like about this group. Kaleb Johnson was like a puppy last year and still rushed for 779 rushing yards, the most ever by an Iowa true freshman. He didn’t seem to grasp his own ability at times, and if he learns how to deliver blows at the end of his runs, watch out. He could become Iowa’s best running back since Shonn Greene.

Williams was a quality rotational back alongside Johnson and still could provide that role. But Patterson flashed late in the season and during Music City Bowl prep. He has more burst than the others and offers a strong 1-2 punch with Johnson. But Williams is so solid and dependable, he deserves carries, too.

Fullback appeared a real problem with the program’s top two graduating and incoming starter Eli Miller tearing his ACL early this spring. But Large, a walk-on graduate transfer tight end, moved to fullback and immediately showcased solid blocking and quality routes out of the backfield. Plus, is there a better sounding fullback name for Iowa than Hayden Large?

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Wide receivers

Starters: Nico Ragaini (Sr., 6-0, 196); Diante Vines (Jr., 6-0, 198)

Backups: Seth Anderson (Soph., 6-0, 178, Charleston Southern transfer); Alec Wick (Soph., 6-1, 196, walk-on); Jack Johnson (Jr., 6-0, 194, walk-on)

Others: Jacob Bostick (R-Fr., 6-2, 171); Jarriett Buie (Fr., 6-3, 185); Dayton Howard (Fr., 6-4, 190); Alex Mota (Fr., 6-1, 175); Reese Osgood (R-Fr., 5-11, 176, walk-on); Graham Friedrichsen (R-Fr., 6-1, 183, walk-on)

Key departures: Arland Bruce IV (transfer, Oklahoma State), Keagan Johnson (transfer, Kansas State), Brody Brecht (opted for baseball only)

Overview: For about a decade, Iowa’s receiving unit has provided the asthma to an otherwise healthy football program. From 2013 through 2022, the Hawkeyes signed 24 scholarship freshman receivers, and 12 transferred with eligibility, three changed positions, two switched sports, and one medically retired. Only three exhausted their eligibility at Iowa as receivers while three more have that chance.

There was bad luck last year with injuries, and it was the same issue this spring. Iowa began the spring with five scholarship receivers, and three became injured and one decided his 102 mph fastball needed complete dedication. That left Vines, who lost half of the 2022 season to a broken wrist, as the only scholarship receiver fully practicing. Ragaini, who is in his sixth year, has a sprain while Anderson injured his hamstring before practice. Both should return in time for summer workouts. There are some solid walk-ons like Wick and Johnson, but they should be complementary pieces, not challenging for starting roles.

Iowa plans to hit the portal for at least one more receiver, which is its biggest necessity. This team has a roster that should make it the Big Ten West Division favorite. But it won’t win even an Iowa-like slugfest in Indianapolis if the receiving corps doesn’t make serious strides. That would be a shame with an elite defense and a major upgrade at quarterback.

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Tight ends

Starters: Lachey (Jr., 6-6, 252); All (Sr., 6-5, 252, Michigan transfer)

Backups: Addison Ostrenga (Soph., 6-4, 234)

Others: Steven Stilianos (Sr., 6-5, 264); Cael Vanderbush (R-Fr., 6-4, 208); Zach Ortwerth (Fr., 6-4, 225); Johnny Pascuzzi (Soph., 6-4, 224, walk-on)

Key departure: Sam LaPorta

Overview: Iowa’s reputation as “Tight End U” has been extended for at least another year. Lachey grew as a player throughout last season and led the team in touchdown catches. He has All-America potential. All is too good to be considered a complementary piece or specialist. He was a team captain at Michigan and caught 38 passes for 437 yards and two touchdowns in 2021. Last year, he injured his back, which required surgery. All was held out of some 11-on-11 work but mostly was available throughout the spring.

The Hawkeyes used two-plus tight ends on 61.7 percent of their snaps last year, the team’s second-highest percentage during the last six years. Based on the strength at this position coupled with the issues at receiver, it seems likely Iowa would use two tight ends on 50 percent of its offensive snaps.

Ostrenga played in every game as a true freshman last year and has become a valued pass-catcher with potential. Stilianos, a graduate transfer from Lafayette last year, has become a designated blocker in running situations.

Interior offensive linemen

Starters: LG — Connor Colby (Jr., 6-6, 308); C — Logan Jones (Jr., 6-3, 283); RG — Gennings Dunker (Soph., 6-5, 316) OR Beau Stephens (Soph., 6-6, 307) OR Rusty Feth (Sr., 6-5, 304, Miami-Ohio transfer)

Backups: Mike Myslinski (Soph., 6-3, 287); Tyler Elsbury (Jr., 6-5, 308)

Others: Griffin Liddle (Soph., 6-3, 282); Leighton Jones (Fr., 6-2, 275); Kade Pieper (Fr., 6-3, 250); Jeremy Chaplin (Soph., 6-2, 263, walk-on); Asher Fahey (Jr., 6-5, 289, walk-on)

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Departures: Tyler Endres, Josh Volk (transfer, Northern Iowa), Justin Britt (graduate transfer, TBD)

Overview: An obvious weakness last year, this group has a chance to rebound in a big way, should it stay healthy. Jones, who was out almost the entire 2021 season with a knee injury, flipped from defensive tackle to center last spring. He struggled with the snap and other details but grew as a blocker throughout the season. He should become much improved.

As a true freshman in 2021, Colby opened 11 games at guard, then kicked out to right tackle last year. It didn’t work. He shifted back inside at midseason. He offers a nice trajectory at that position. Dunker and Stephens saw action as redshirt freshmen and took their lumps in different ways, as did Elsbury. All three seemed to make strides this spring.

Feth arrives in mid-May after graduating from Miami (Ohio), where he was a second-team All-MAC center. He’s slated to play guard at Iowa. It’s too early to predict who starts opposite Colby, but a rotation of sorts seems likely.

Tackle

Starters: LT — Mason Richman (Jr., 6-6. 308); RT — Nick DeJong (Sr., 6-6, 300) OR Daijon Parker (Sr., 6-5, 300, Saginaw Valley State transfer)

Backups: T — Jack Dotzler (R-Fr., 6-6, 266); Kyle Krogh (R-Fr., 6-5, 276)

Others: Trevor Lauck (Fr., 6-5, 295); Cannon Leonard (Fr., 6-8, 270); Kyson Van Vugt (Fr., 6-6, 247, walk-on)

Departures: Jack Plumb, David Davidkov (medically retired)

Overview: With two complete seasons as a starting left tackle, Richman has the most experience (25 career starts), but he also was out all spring. Parker transferred to Iowa but was injured during the first day of spring practice, which really hurt his development. DeJong (17 starts) shifted to left tackle most of the spring and was among the most improved linemen, Ferentz said.

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Once Richman returns, he’ll open at left tackle. Right tackle will become a battle between DeJong and Parker and possibly Dunker, who played there this spring. DeJong also could move to guard, and Elsbury could play tackle in a pinch.

Lauck has a chance to compete for the depth chart with a strong preseason camp. Leonard is a project but with his size, he could develop into a solid prospect within two years.

(Top photo of Cade McNamara: Courtesy of Justin Elsner / Hawkeyesports.com)

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