Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - BREAKING: Hawkeyes' Offensive Line SHAKEUP Brings Concern to Season | Is Bryce George the ANSWER?

Starting point is 00:00:00 Iowa football faces some big questions in 2025, and today we look to answer them. What we're looking for at today is Iowa football media today on Locked on Hawkeyes. You are Locked on Hawkeyes, your daily podcast on the Iowa Hawkeyes, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Hey, welcome in. I'm Trent Condon, and this is the Lockdown Hawkeyes podcast. Thanks for making Lockdown Hawkeyes your first listen every day. I've been covering the Hawkeyes for over 20 years on the radio, including currently on the Iowa Sports Radio Network.

Starting point is 00:00:43 You can hear me each weekday from noon to two talking the world of sports on the Iowa Sports Radio Network with stations in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities, Des Moines, and Sioux City. Today's episode of Lockdown Hawkeyes is brought to you by Fandual. Right now, new customers can get $150 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins. It is Media Day today. We will take a look at the big storylines and the stories we will be chasing as we get a look at it. Also, Tom Kaker from hawkerreport.com is going to join us. And what real improvement looks like in the Iowa offense, one of the many questions we're

Starting point is 00:01:20 going to be searching for. But when it comes to today later this afternoon, it will be Iowa Football Media Day. We will hear from Kirk Farrants. We will hear from almost all of the coaches trying to get all the different audio and trying to get all the questions that you want out there. And it's fun. It's kind of crazy. And also you got, of course, what's happening over on the other side of things

Starting point is 00:01:40 with all the players and the ability to hear from Mark Karnowski for the first time, really in that kind of setting. There's been a couple of scrums. But this is different. There's more media there. So it is different than kind of your day-to-day beat guys that are going to be there. Let's get into, though, a couple of those major questions and some of these storylines that I think are most pertinent to what we're looking for with this Iowa football team. You start with the quarterback, obviously.

Starting point is 00:02:04 We've talked a ton about Mark Gernowski. I'm sure you're sick of hearing me talk about Mark Garnowski. And we'll lay off that, at least in the here and now for this conversation because that goes without saying. I do want to hear, though, a little bit about that backup quarterback spot. And though I have long believed that Hank Brown is going to be the guy, the Auburn, is going to be the backup for this season. We've heard a ton about Jeremy Hecklinsky, the Wake Forest Transfer,

Starting point is 00:02:29 who comes in as a redshirt freshman, small guy built differently than Hank Brown, but really like what we've heard about Hecklinski. Jackson Stratton a year ago, he won a couple of games for Iowa, and he was the starting quarterback and was there for the Nebraska game. Now, he didn't have to do much of that game.

Starting point is 00:02:45 It didn't do much in that game. Still, he was a quarterback there. What they did when they went out to Maryland and rolled in that football game. And there's people, you know, going back to the spring that really like him. So obviously the backup quarterback spot is one of those things we're going to be looking for and chasing.

Starting point is 00:03:00 Speaking of position groups, we still don't know how things are going to shake out after the top running back spot. It'll be Kamari Moulton, is T.J. Washington, Trell Washington, Jr., is he going to be the guy that is number two? Jazzy on Patterson. Obviously, a longtime guy has stuck around. Has he won that backup role?

Starting point is 00:03:17 Or is it going to be one of those youngsters? And we've talked a ton about Xavier Williams. We've talked about the freshman Nathan McNeil and talk about an absolute surprise. You look at the recruiting services and where he was and what he's been able to put together already in his short time. And of course, Brevindal with that elite speed that he has coupled with the size that he has. Now looking like it can be a little bit healthy and that'll be a good thing for him. Wide receiver, what's it going to be?

Starting point is 00:03:43 We saw the highlight video from Reese Vander Zee. And that led to a highlight video that had to come the other way because the guy that was beat both times was Deshaun Lee. A little bit later, what do they do? They give you a highlight video for Deshaun Lee. Good to see that because I'm sure he's had good moments, but we know how social media is, we know how fandom is. We know, well, some podcast hosts are and maybe overreact a little bit to what we see

Starting point is 00:04:07 because all of a sudden it's like, well, I can't be Deshaun Lee as the quarterback opposite T.J. Hall. Is it Barros? Is it going to be one of the young guys? Well, they put that out maybe to ease some of those fears. From there, after the wide receiver group. But I just want to see the depth of that one. Is that depth real?

Starting point is 00:04:24 Is this something that is really clicking? And the emergence of some of those young guys at the wide receiver spot, that's another thing we're going to be chasing and talking to players. And a lot of times, not all the time, but many times they will give you some insight into that and give you an idea of what they're seeing in practice. And that's an ability kind of to put things together on that front. Offensive line, the biggest one offensively, something we've talked about a ton. And we will continue to.

Starting point is 00:04:51 that is the left tackle position. Now, as we look towards Saturday and the open kids practice and what we're going to see on that front, really what your hope is and what your biggest hope is that everybody's healthy, it's not going to be an off day, we're going to see everybody on the offensive line because that's another piece of it too, not just what happens at left tackle, but if they're giving a day off to Jennings Dunker, if they're giving a day off to one of the interior guys, or they're just a little bit banged up. and what that does and kind of the fluctuation that that happens on that offensive line.

Starting point is 00:05:25 More than anything, I want to see all five guys that would be starting or how they work with those different left tackles and how Bryce George is acclimating himself at that left tackle spot. Obviously, the guys that have been around with Jack Dotsler and Trevor Lough. So that's going to be a huge one also to be keeping an eye on coming up here. On the defensive side of the football, after the guys that we knew on that defensive line. And with the announcement that Jeremiah Pittman is still going to be. out a little bit longer with knee surgery,

Starting point is 00:05:53 what that's going to mean to that rotation and defensive tackle. Is it going to be Jonah Pace, super senior from Central Michigan, as Bryce Hawthorne, I don't know, out of South Dakota State, or even the guys that have hung around who's going to be opposite Aaron Graves. It's going to be a rotation. Want to keep guys fresh, but keeping an eye on that front. And then the young emergence at the defensive line. That's what I really want to find out is, you know, a guy like a Joseph Anderson,

Starting point is 00:06:16 what Cheneke is doing, those kind of players. We know Kenneth Meriwether, Brian Allen, they're now moving into that more veteran spear, that next group. Those red shirt freshmen that came in last year, kind of what they're doing at both defensive tackle, the guy like Devin Kennedy, and then at the defensive end position

Starting point is 00:06:33 with some of the guys that we mentioned there. Linebacker remains the biggest question defensively, how that's looking, how that's shaking out. And do any of the three red shirt freshmen have a chance to pop here? Are we going to see on the field? Not special teams, but actually out there, defensive situations, are we going to see a Preston Reese, who's got so much buzz? Cam Buffington, are we going to see him?

Starting point is 00:06:55 Are we going to see Derek Weisscott? Those are the guys, the red short freshman on that defensive line group out of the linebacker group, certainly something that I'm going to be chasing and looking to see if any of the other people are going to be giving us some information. Then finally, a defensive backfield, again, these are all kind of the storylines that we've been talking about a lot during the spring and into the summer. but these are the important times of trying to get some answers to these questions that we've been posing, that we've been speculating about, that we've been passing along

Starting point is 00:07:23 the little bit of information that we get and trying to make that all kind of make sense together. But when you talk about the defensive backfield, just mentioned Deshaun Lee. That's going to be a huge part of it. What's going to happen there? The move for Xavier Wampo over to free safety and what the cash position is going to look like. After talking to Cohen entering or being in Big Ten football media days a couple weeks back and hearing him talk about the cash position. Is it his alone?

Starting point is 00:07:49 Now, if he's healthy, is that going to be his spot? Maybe when they go to a traditional 4-3 or different situations, is he going to be moving back? I want to see how that looks like, and if it is Cohen-enteringer, or if we're going to see Zach Lutmer and two guys that are going to be able to do it kind of in different ways, if that's something that I, when Phil Parker is looking to do. So there's a lot, and there's a lot that we're going to begin to gather,

Starting point is 00:08:11 try to figure some things out and put this all together. as we look forward to just a couple weeks away from Iowa football actually beginning. Saturday, open practice. And then Monday we will hear from the Big Ten network crews. They'll get their look at things happening there. So it's a lot going on. And we got you covered, as we always do here on lockdown Hawkeyes. Your team every day, that's what we do on the lockdown network.

Starting point is 00:08:35 And I talk Hawkeyes with you each and every day. Tom Kekert from Hawkeye Report, he is going to be at Media Days. We'll get his report. what he expects to see what he's going to be talking about and what he's going to be searching for. Big Iowa football storylines with Tom Kakert when we come back on the Locked-on Hawkeyes podcast. Summer sports are in full swing.

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Starting point is 00:09:52 Fandual.com. Tom Kekker joins us as we are about an hour, a little more than an hour away from the start of Media Day. Kirk Farrants meets the media first and then off they go to talk to players. Hello, Tom Kekert. How are you? I'm doing well just pulled into Big Grove here I'm going to have a little bite to eat with my friend pet anger before we go over to Media Day

Starting point is 00:10:24 That's awesome Keep him in line I mean he can't be slugging beers before he goes to Media Day He's a media member now come on Anger I know I know I know I know so we're just we're just kind of chilling out Yeah that's good good to see well I guess what's what's the question that lingers in your mind Tom, as, you know, maybe Ference will address it or not. I'm sure you'll have an opportunity to ask them. What's the one question that you would like to hear,

Starting point is 00:10:52 maybe a little clarity on, maybe a little insight too. What's kind of out there for you? Boy, that's a great question. Last year it was like the suspension stuff or whatever. Yeah. Yep. It's the wildest thing. But, yeah, I would guess probably open jobs.

Starting point is 00:11:12 What job, and I know he'll have is always, his pat answer, boy, you know, every job is open, really, but, you know, Logan Jones loses it, boy, it'd be something, you know, he kind of dances around it. But what's the corner competition? I mean, we all saw the video. So, you know, and they strategically put out a positive video for, for, for Sean Lee the next day, which is nice of them to do. But I think defensive back, you know, in the interview he had on the Fight for Iowa podcast thing that they did the other day with Dolph, he mentioned defensive tackle being up in the air. I'm curious about that position because he said Jeremiah Pittman's still done healthy. So, you know, who is going to get reps there besides Aaron Graves? And then he kind of mentioned middle linebacker. So I'm curious about what's going on there, too.

Starting point is 00:12:09 I think there's, there's some stuff, mainly on defense. And then, you know, the offense, less tackle. I'm curious about. I haven't seen. And again, we get these little clips and we look at the blankets. There's a Pruder film. But it's, is, you know, I haven't seen Bo Stevens in anything. And there's been a little bit of rumbling that maybe one of the offensive linemen is dinged up.

Starting point is 00:12:35 And so maybe we'll get some clarity there too. oh boy and as we look at then tomorrow of course open practice the only real look that we're going to get at this team you know i was just hopeful more than anything well monday big 10 networks there right but the one that we actually get not the ones that the big 10 network and cut and dice we get our eyes on something and i just want to see five offense alignment out there well stevens is out then you're moving people over maybe bryce george is then playing guard instead of tackle and it just it's going to lead to well what we do anyway a lot more speculation it doesn't look like tomorrow at least with the offense aligned then we're probably

Starting point is 00:13:09 going to get many answers tom is that fair yeah i think um i i'm curious what he's going to say about any potential people missing um or you know guys are just temporarily out or if it's long term i kind of my sense is just talking to a few people that if anybody's out it it's more short term than long term and it's just kind of being careful in camp and um so i i don't suspect that there's any alarm bells yet but and it's frankly probably good for guys like Clayton Jones to get time with the ones you know or maybe Mycelinsky gets a shot there or you know Bryce George somebody like that so I think they'll be okay but it's just it's interesting what's going you know just because we read into everything these these days because we don't have

Starting point is 00:14:00 access so we're looking at every little grain of a video to to find out if we get and figure something else out. I'm anxious to read the reports on Mark Grinowski, you know, see him for the first time and see what the receivers are doing. If he's, you know, if he maybe has picked out a favorite or something, maybe a favorite target at this point, I'm anxious to see him. What happened to McNamara?

Starting point is 00:14:24 Did he get hurt in this practice two years ago? Right, it was, right? Two years ago. Oh, boy. Took off in the middle of practice and went down in a heap, and everybody went, there was a collective grown, a groan, like, oh, no. And then, you know, it was obviously hindered him early on and then, you know, eventually he gets hurt again.

Starting point is 00:14:48 And it's just, yeah. Those were the days. It did not go well. The Iowa quarterback position since Nate Stanley left is in, you know, although, you know what. I'm with you. Say it. Say it. He wasn't terrible.

Starting point is 00:15:06 He wasn't. He got worse. And then he got hurt. And then it was just sort of got messy. And he answered every single question. I give him a hell of a lot of credit for that. He did. He stood in there and took every AP.

Starting point is 00:15:20 Absolutely. He stood in there. Spencer Petters out of all. Better than Cade McNamara running away from the team and quitting. Yeah, fair point. And nobody will ever commits me that he did not quit on that team a year ago. That's where Spencer Petrus gets credit. The football side of things.

Starting point is 00:15:33 yeah hard to do hard to do well we're into here and now you know one thing that I've I guess maybe stumbled upon here in the last week or so talking about Garnowski and Tom as you know

Starting point is 00:15:43 I have my daily podcast and we're looking for content give it a plug Trent locked on Hawkins every single day so sometimes you're repeating yourself doing that every single day no way really talking Garnowski though

Starting point is 00:15:54 you know what's the running ability I went back and watched a it was like a condensed version of a full game it was like cut down to 30 minutes and watching him in the game I think he only ran up like 10, 11 times.

Starting point is 00:16:05 But it's not just he's physical. We knew that. He's a big dude. He's got some wiggle to him. I think the running ability just as a whole, maybe we forgot about it has been unrepresentative. And coming off that shoulder injury,

Starting point is 00:16:18 I guess that might be a question too. Is he ready to take that pounding now physically? Because that's one of his stronger attributes running the football. I think if you're going to ask Tim Lester, how much you want Mark Grinowski running, it's going to be not much. but I think if you asked Grinowski, because we did,

Starting point is 00:16:36 and he was like, yeah, I'll go get, I'm, you know, if that first street's not there, I'm willing to tuck it under my shoulder and get those three or four yards that I need to get on third down and short to get the first down and get the chains moving again. So I think he's more than willing to do that. I think there might be a little bit of a tug of war with him and Tim Lester, but I don't think Lester's opposed to it. I've, you know, I've thrown out the old Riley Leonard comparison since he arrived.

Starting point is 00:17:05 I think that's an apt comparison. But then I looked, I was like, wait, how much did Riley Leonard run? So I wrote a piece this week about the expectations this year statistically for Grinowski. Ryan Leonard ran for 900 yards last year. I was like, holy cow, Iowa hasn't had a guy run over 400 since Brad Banks had 423. Has it been that long? And Grinowski average just about, it was 397 as last three years at SvSU. So I think that's probably a realistic number for him is around 400.

Starting point is 00:17:40 And if he did that, that would be, boy, that would be a positive for the Iowa offense. And just to have a guy who can extend plays, you saw that one clip of him rolling out and thrown on the run. When the last time we saw that competently done by an Iowa quarterback, it's been, it's been a minute. And it's been a family probably since that was really an executed play. And he hits, you know, Weege on the sidelines and perfect spot. And I think, I think we're in for some good times with this quarterback. I really do. I think he's, I think nationally he's going to get some talk fairly early,

Starting point is 00:18:16 especially if they go to Ames and win and he plays well there. You mentioned Kaden Weech, and obviously back as a kick returner, punt returner after what he did a season ago. He's on all the watch list, as you'd anticipate. But in the spring, we heard one of the ways that he was going to come back or was assurances that they were going to try to use him at least a little bit more offensively. A wide receiver room, though, that has Reese Vander Z and Jacob Gill and healthy Seth Anderson and Sam Phillips coming in out of Chattanooga and Howard and K.J. Parker, who we've heard of, are there going to be many reps available for him? What have you heard about his fall practice and if they're going to find a role for Weegean in the offense? Yeah, I think he's been really good. Parker's been really good. Van der Zy, obviously, saw the

Starting point is 00:18:56 the video highlight of him. He's been solid. You know, Kirk admitted in the thing looked off that the first couple of days, Mark was a little shaky, you know, to kind of shaking some of the rust off. And that would make sense. I mean, he hasn't been out there in 11-on-11

Starting point is 00:19:12 since the end of the South Dakota State season. So, you know, he's got a little rust and do spring ball. So, um, stepping up a little bit here. And, you know, and now he's,

Starting point is 00:19:23 he's adjusted. And I think pretty comfortable. offensively and developing that chemistry. You know, he went on that trip with, I think it was, you'll have to call me in. I think it was Gil, Parker, Phillips, and Ostranka, I think, were the guys that went with in Texas. Was it Texas? Okay.

Starting point is 00:19:42 Yeah, with, to work with Jeff Christensen. Oh, sure. Of all people. Yeah, Jeff Christensen. Of all people, Jeff Christianson. Yeah. Can't shake them. Can't shake them.

Starting point is 00:19:55 You know, you use the word expectation. earlier, Tom, is this, and I hate to say it, phrase the question this way, because I don't think that the, the expectations were unfair when it came to Xavier Wampka. I mean, Trent, you said you never seen a player like this in high school. No. And you've covered high school football for a long time. He covered as much ground as anybody I'd ever see. And played both sides of the ball and did so effectively. What kind of years do you expect from him, or is this the year that Tom that he comes close to those lofty expectations?

Starting point is 00:20:25 I think so. I, you know, just talking to him this spring, it felt like playing strong safety was like asking him to play left-handed. And he just was never comfortable with it to the level that you would hope he would be. And now he's, he's at three and he feels comfortable. And I think we're going to see a really good year from him. I think he's going to have, you know, five or six interceptions. And I think he's going to make some big plays for the Iowa defense. this year. And, yeah, I think Ian Intringer potentially will see where Intringer ends up,

Starting point is 00:21:04 if it's strong safety or hash, but I think that back end is going to be pretty fun to watch, especially if Intringers back there. Full circles, we started talking a little bit about the linebackers. And one thing that I heard is, feels like Jane Harrell's going to be that guy in the middle. Don't sleep on Montgomery. That was something I was told the other night, which I found interesting but that aside do you anticipate i mean they've moved to it's not full time but they go cash what 70% of the time 80% of the time that they're going to rely on that even more because of the questions that lineback they like lefmer they obviously like the other two safeties we just talked about with entringer and wampa that we see even more cash this season you know i

Starting point is 00:21:46 asked phil um this summer i said how much did you guys run cash last year and he said 80% of the time. I don't know if they can go any higher. And then, you know, unless they did it full time. But I think it's probably something where they're going to go cash about 80% of the time. And I think that's the way they like it. I think that's the way college football is going in. And, you know, there'll be some teams or some situations.

Starting point is 00:22:19 You'll third and short, they'll bring in an extra linebacker. And Rex Roth would get some time. But, yeah, I'm really curious about the middle linebacker. The Montgomery thing made sense, too, because, you know, the video clip the other day, I saw Montgomery was out there at middle linebacker. So I think he's, I think he's given a little push right now. I know they're super high on excited about Preston Reese, too. So it's another guy to watch.

Starting point is 00:22:44 And we'll watch it and we'll read it about it at hawkeyeorport.com, part of On3 Media today coverage today. and the kids' day tomorrow, and away we go. Tom Kekard, they got a busy weekend ahead of you, Tom. Thanks for doing this. We'll keep up to date at hawkeyeorport.com. Okay, thanks, guys. Thank you, Tom.

Starting point is 00:23:03 Appreciate you coming on. Talk to you next week. Trent, kind of back with you one final time. This is Lockdown Hawkeye's podcast. Thanks for being with us and making Lockdown Hawkeyes your first listen every day. us over on YouTube, make sure you're hitting subscribe if you're listening on the

Starting point is 00:23:25 podcast side, five star reviews as we're pushing towards 5,000 subscribers over on our YouTube page and you can help us out over there and help us get in front of more Hawkeye fans. So we've talked a lot about the improvement. And my final thought here leading into the weekend, leading into Media Day

Starting point is 00:23:41 and leading into the open practice is just this. What does improvement look like? Now, you look at the statistical profile and they basically cut it in half a year ago, went from the decrepit 129th in the country and cut that in half. Well, cutting in half again is talking about a top 35 type of offense. And is that a realistic possibility?

Starting point is 00:24:01 Because though we saw the changes a year ago offensively, we saw what they did in the running game. We know that they are going to work to incorporate more into this passing game, and that is the hope going forward to what that's going to look like. And when we had that, it's all well and good. However, we also have to have the understanding. It's not that I was going to be running at a pace where they're going to be getting off 80, 85, 90 snaps a game. They're not going to play at that pace.

Starting point is 00:24:27 There is still going to be complementary football, still going to be a component, and that's still going to be a big piece of way that Kirk Farrants rely. So when that approve it comes, it has to be more than just the statistical profile. I think there has to be a deeper look into what this is going to be and what it's going to look like this season. I'm a believer. And as Tom mentioned, there were some shaky moments, the first couple of days of camp from Grinowski. It was knock of the rust off.

Starting point is 00:24:56 But since then, things have been good. And the offense is starting to catch up. And you anticipate, regardless of the level of football, defense is going to be ahead of the offense at this point. However, that gap is closing. And it sets up what is going to be a really big Saturday in this open practice when we get our eyes on this team and what they're going to to be and what they're going to look like. I'm incredibly excited for it. I'm hoping that the health is there,

Starting point is 00:25:23 but maybe the most concerning element that Tom brought up was a potential injury to Bo Stevens. And if that is the case, if Bo Stevens is out, even if he's just banged up right now, and trying to figure out that continuity. Kirk talks about right guard.

Starting point is 00:25:42 It feels like Kate Peeper is going to be that guy, but maybe that's not the lock. that I think a lot of us had throughout the course of this year. And one thing that is, I think, driven all of us nuts at one time or the other in the Kirk Farrant's tenure has been when we get to the season, the tinkering that is still happening with that offensive line. The offensive line a year ago was very veteran, also had veteran depth, something that they don't have this year, compared to what they had a season ago. And you were able.

Starting point is 00:26:16 You felt like you had your solid starting group And then you had guys with that experience Well, that's not the case here And that makes me pump the brakes As I mentioned it Tom I want to see this offensive line as a whole Doesn't sound like we're going to see that tomorrow A frustrating element

Starting point is 00:26:33 Your element we're going to have to deal with though And this team Hope you enjoy Kenick coming up tomorrow You're able to make it out there And watch the Kids Day open practice If you have kids as well It's great years and years ago I took my nephew to this event and really good time with that,

Starting point is 00:26:50 getting the autographs, getting to see the guys up close and personal. Really cool if you got a youngster to get them involved in that direction. I will be back with you on Monday. Hope you have a great weekend. We will have a full recap of everything from this weekend from Iowa Football Media Day, what we hear there and also, of course, what we have coming from you from Kids Day as we will be back with you more likely late Sunday night into Monday morning here on your feet. Again, hit subscribe me for watching us on YouTube,

Starting point is 00:27:18 five-star review on the podcast side. Thanks to everyone out there. Thanks to you every dayers with us each and every day. We are your daily Iowa Hawkeye podcast. This is Locked-on Hawkeyes. We'll talk to you again Monday. Until then, go Hawks.

Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - BREAKING: Hawkeyes' Offensive Line SHAKEUP Brings Concern to Season | Is Bryce George the ANSWER?

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