Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - BREAKING: Iowa's Portal COUP Shocks College Football | Is Bryce George the MISSING PIECE?

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Hawkeyes just landed a game-changer. Bryce George, one of the top offensive line transfer portal candidates, is heading to Iowa City. What it means for this year's offensive line. 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 Locked On Hawkeyes podcast. I've been covering the Hawkeyes for over 20 years on the radio in the state of Iowa, including currently on the Iowa Sports Radio Network with stations in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities, Sioux City, and our flagship 106.3 KXNO in Des

Starting point is 00:00:48 Moines each and every weekday from noon to two talking the world of sports myself and Ken Miller. Today's episode of Lockdown Hawkeyes is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can get $200, $250 in bonus bets when you win your first $5 bet. Simple as that over at FanDuel. Today we're gonna get into the Iowa baseball team, a nice win for them as they open up their road series at Michigan, an important one,

Starting point is 00:01:17 as they look to maintain their spot at the top of the Big Ten. They get a big one on Friday evening against the Wolverines. We'll be talking with Tom Kaker from HawkeyeReport.com, latest on the works happening in the portal from his perspective and a whole lot more coming your way. But we begin, well, in that same spot with the transfer portal and a transfer portal that has been incredibly fruitful

Starting point is 00:01:41 for the Iowa Hawkeyes. So we're going to talk basketball, we're going to talk football, we're going to talk football. And we also got a couple other news and notes that we're going to get into kind of a busy end of week episode to get you through the weekend here on Lockdown Hawkeyes. Let's start though with the big news of the day. And that is the commitment of Bryce George, the touted Ferris State transfer, 41 games at Ferris State.

Starting point is 00:02:04 Now offensive line prospects, Ferris State transfer 41 games at Ferris State now offensive line prospects. One of the more difficult ones for lay fans like ourselves right to figure out. Um you can see a highlight package of an offensive lineman. They look really good. You're not gonna be sure if it's going to translate and there's been so many instances of that that we don't know. You know, one thing we've uh talked about a little bit here with George is there are very varying opinions about what he is at the Big Ten level. You know, is this a guy that's going to be

Starting point is 00:02:36 able to come in right away and compete to be a left tackle? Is that realistic for him? Making the transition from D2 football, moving into the Big 10, and just having one year of eligibility, is that a realistic path for him to be able to hit? And that's what they're gonna have to figure out. When this also comes up as quickly as it is, remember, Iowa's been practicing now for a couple of weeks. And as we went in, obviously the biggest question mark offensively for Iowa was left tackle coming in. Jack Dotsler played 20 snaps. Trevor Lauk, I still think has a chance to be good, but he just hasn't played. He's young. He's going to be a red shirt sophomore next year. And that's what you have at the left tackle position.

Starting point is 00:03:26 The other component is a lot of times you take a guy like Jennings Dunker, who was an all Big Ten performer a year ago. We know how he has kind of rebuilt himself and retooled his body and playing at such a high level at the right tackle position. And you wonder, well, could he be a guy that goes to left? Doesn't appear to be the case. And we'll talk about that a little bit later on with Tom Cakert from Hawkeye Report when he joins us. So Jennings Dunker, you kind of cross that one out, right? Not going to happen. He's not going to

Starting point is 00:03:56 be a left tackle. You look at Bryce George, does it translate? Is he a guard? Is he a tackle? Because as I said yesterday, when we heard that Iowa was interested right away, my mind went to left tackle. But it very well could be that they feel confident there and they just see George as an interior piece, or maybe another component, they see him as a depth piece. Because outside of Jennings Dunker,

Starting point is 00:04:24 there's not a guy in this roster that has played appreciable minutes at the tackle spot. And to go into any season like that, it's pretty crazy. You don't want to do it, and when the opportunity is there, you make it happen. I know there's been some pushback as well. Ah D2 kid, they've tried this before it hasn't worked. Sure, you can make that argument. Not all kids are created equal. You're hoping it's certainly going to be a healthy year for Bryce George and what he's going to be able to do. But it's not like it was just Iowa loan. There were other programs. It was down to Iowa and USC for his services. USC knows what they're doing, just a little bit. So I have a hard time going

Starting point is 00:05:09 that direction. Big news though, and we'll talk a little bit more about that coming up with Hawkeye Reports' Tom Kaicker. Let's talk a little basketball and kind of a wild Friday going on. So Nick Lewis, four-star point guard, out of the DC area, former Xavier commit, reopened, looked like for a while it was trending. It was down to a final two of Vanderbilt or Iowa. People in the recruiting circles believe that Vandy had a little more leverage, a little more financial that was going to be able to lead him going that way. And yet, for a few hours Thursday night into Friday morning, it looked like Nick Lewis was going to commit to the Hawkeyes. And then, maybe starting to ask him for a little bit more, financial package he was looking for wasn't there, and here comes VCU swooping in, and they made it happen. Now VCU, we have to remember, is a program that is

Starting point is 00:06:09 financially very good shape. VCU doesn't have football. VCU has made a Final Four. VCU has a program that has been invested in over the last decade, unlike Iowa basketball. VCU is a good program and it's been a more successful program for Iowa, but they also have a fan base that will spend and they have a donor base that is spent. Here's the thing, Nicholas was not going to really make a big difference this year for Iowa basketball. Yeah, it's nice landing a top 100 kid, but if we know today's environment, that doesn't mean a whole lot. The way the portal is, you just don't know.

Starting point is 00:06:53 Don't wanna have sour grapes about it, but look around. Sturz is gonna play a ton. He's gonna be the guy. And he's gonna be out there 34, 36, 38 minutes a ton. He's going to be the guy. And he's going to be out there 34, 36, 38 minutes a game. That's what you're going to do. Because that's what he did a year ago. And even if you give him a little bit of a break, a couple minutes here and there, he is going to be your point guard almost all the time. Take it a step further. Now, we get to the big man, and that is the biggest remaining need for

Starting point is 00:07:27 Iowa basketball, is they have to find a big. A big that's ready to play right away, a plug-and-play player. Now that's what leads us back to Robert Morris, Alvaro Folgeres. So Folgeres is such a fun prospect for Ben McCollum. And if you watch the highlight videos that are out there, again with the caveat they are highlight videos, I get it. You see a guy that fits incredibly well to the Ben McCollum system. Picking pops, picking rolls, his ability to shoot the basketball really good footwork 6-foot-9 rebounds well for a 6-9 guy can defend centers And I think he would be at least okay on that avenue and certainly the way the Ben McCollum teaches defense I think also goes hand-in-hand along with that Now there is nothing official there are no reports as we sit here late on Friday night

Starting point is 00:08:24 Talking about this that he has committed to Iowa. But many people are speculating and believing that the commitment's been there. And there's some of those fake Twitter accounts, the burner accounts, those kind of places that say he is, but nothing definitive. We'll see. Maybe by Saturday, wake up, he'll be committed. Maybe it'll happen over the weekend. Regardless, we got you covered. We're with you every day and we will have you covered. Your team every day. That's what we do here on the Lockdown Network. And a big shout out to the every dayers out there. We have you covered on that front. One final nugget, and that is with women's basketball. So Excuse me, Jan Jensen

Starting point is 00:09:06 made her coaching higher The Lysander Barrett from Georgia Tech better on the block recruiting coordinator at Georgia Tech. It's been at a number of institutions. Um When you look at her though, I'll be honest where my mind went the first time was to Kate Harpering, Matt Harpering's daughter, who was on a visit not too long ago because of that Atlanta connection. Of course, that's where he played, but one of the top players of the country next year's recruiting class. Harpering's where my mind went right away. Not sure what kind of relationship they have, however, you never know. We'll see on that one. Congratulations though, Jan Phil filling that one out. Now, they gotta go find a point

Starting point is 00:09:47 guard. A ready-made point guard. Just like we talked about, ready-made things. And Iowa men's basketball needs a ready-made center. We go the other way. The Iowa women need a point guard that is ready to play right away if they're going to be an NCAA tournament team. Lockdown Hawkeyes continues we talk with Tom Caker We'll go a little bit deeper into the world of recruiting what he's hearing and some spring football practice news and notes Who's surprising and yes, is I actually good at wide receiver? That's next Lockdown Hawkeyes Did you know your Fire TV is also an Xbox? Turn any TV into your gaming and entertaining HUD with Fire TV stick 4k devices. No console required. Just grab your paired controller, subscribe or sign into Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with EA

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Starting point is 00:11:35 you're looking for. Head to amazon.com slash Fire TV locked on. To get started. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and compatible controller is required. Available on select devices including Fire TV Stick 4K 2nd Generation, Fire TV Stick 4K Max 1st and 2nd Generation, and Fire TV Cube 3rd Generation. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and a compatible price. Just find it Amazon.com slash fire TV locked on. Friend Tom Kaker, Hawkeye report. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Starting point is 00:12:28 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Starting point is 00:12:44 Thank you. Thank you. And is he a left tackle? Well, he's probably going to get a shot at being a left tackle. Played on a Ferris State team that won three national titles and started for that team. So even though it's a level lower, he's still a very good player and very talented. So I think it's just you have to kind of look at it from a more grander perspective of they've only got really one offensive tackle coming back that played and James Dunker had some knee issues last year. There's where he missed some time

Starting point is 00:13:18 at the end of the year. So you've got to factor that in with the fact that honestly, Dostler and Trevor Lowick are going to have to play sometime, but they have not played a lot of snaps. So the opportunity to go out and get somebody who's played a lot of snaps at the college levels, a mature guy who's only going to be one year on your books, I think it was too attractive to pass up. Ken brought it up Is he a left tackle and if they prove he goes through practice and they start to see him a little bit and you know What that jump coming up from D2 he's not there Ken Jennings dunker be a left tackle

Starting point is 00:13:56 I mean is that something that could fit I think a year ago He was going through kind of a change in his weight He lost a bunch of weight, added some quickness there. Could he get there by August camp that he could potentially be your left tackle? And then you're looking over at the right tackle position and flipping things around with George. It would be a surprise if he moved. Just like Dunk said before, he's like, I really don't want to play left tackle. I just don't feel right over there. It just doesn't feel comfortable to him. So, would he do it if he had to? Yeah, I would guess. But I thought they needed another tackle anyway, just because they needed some depth at the position. I'm a little surprised

Starting point is 00:14:40 just because I, you know, just talking to some people last year during bowl prep, they thought that Trevor Lough had really come along and that they, the belief was that he was going to end up being the starting left tackle this year. And it just hasn't, for whatever reason, hasn't happened. Here's the thing you worry about too, guys, is that for every action there is a reaction. and we see this all the time now. It's just like, okay, you're going to go out and shop and get a guy and push me back for a year. Well, you know, I'm probably,

Starting point is 00:15:14 there's a hundred percent chance that guys are getting calls now. Hey, why don't you jump in the portal? You know, we got, we got X number of dollars for you and the spot just the end of spot to potentially play I mean, it's just it's just how the game is today. It's no strange. It's like free agency 24 7 365 Really is when does it close? I think the 25th No, like the day before I was spring game, I think, something like that. You had an opportunity, Tom, yesterday or late in the week, I think it was yesterday,

Starting point is 00:15:51 to talk to some of the receivers. Certainly some, obviously, I guess, well, start with Seth Anderson, who by the sounds of things is, at least for now, going to be healthy. It's just one of those guys that you just, well, you want to see what's there, but you just, unfortunately hasn't been able to stay on the field due to injuries. I think he's got the skillset to, you know, to, um, maybe not Excel, but certainly have a big role, uh, in this offense. Maybe that was my biggest takeaway was Seth Anderson listening to you guys talk to them yesterday.

Starting point is 00:16:22 Yeah. Um, the person thought it was in the last week or so from some people who have been in practice that, boy, he's just, he's carving up the defense. And I may say something about the defense too, but it also says something about the fact that I think it's been, you know, Seth Anderson has been in street clothes more than he's

Starting point is 00:16:44 been in uniform, especially in fall camp and spring practice. So, um, to see him out there and you know, there's some talent and now he's starting to happen for him now. It's just staying healthy. That's the Sam Phillips, uh, yesterday too, but he's small. But I think he's listed at five, eight. You that might be generous. He might be more like five, five seven, five six. Um, just he's kind of fireplug build. Um, but, uh, apparently very quick. So, um, he seems like he's sitting in real well, but

Starting point is 00:17:20 there's the general feeling I've gotten from talking to some people are pretty objective about things is that the offense, particularly the passing game has been really good this spring and that they have executed a lot of big plays against the against the Iowa defense so far. Now that may be a harbinger of things to come for the Iowa defense too. I joked on our podcast last night that my bold prediction maybe for the season is maybe we see some shootouts for Iowa football this year because the defense might not be as strong. I know they're out looking for cornerbacks right now as well to kind of, you know, stabilize that position because they've got two starters. But after that guys who really haven't played much, you know, stabilize that position because they've got two starters. But after that, guys who really haven't played much, you know, Jalen Watson played a little bit

Starting point is 00:18:09 last year, but other than that, they don't have a lot of experience there with John Nestor, even. And a couple of kids from Illinois State that started in Kinnick a year ago are in the portal, one from South Dakota, maybe Connection there. I got a kick yesterday, I saw your headline about Caden Weijin now on scholarship. We know the scholarship limit, or the roster limit, excuse me, is There I got a kick yesterday. I saw your headline about Kate and we gin now on scholarship We know the scholarship limit The roster limit, excuse me is a hundred and five Do we know exactly how this is gonna work though as it pertains to scholarships because it just got my mind racing

Starting point is 00:18:36 Once again, what's this going to look like when basically we get to August a hundred and five is the roster limit? But as it pertains to scholarships for everybody Yeah, they're gonna stick with 85. Okay everybody. Yeah, they're going to stick with 85. And I think they're at 80 right now with the addition of George. So they've got five scholarships to play with. And that depends on what they're going to do with those, because I'm not sure what their, what their plan is, but, um, you know, they've, they've got some, some wiggle room and they could add potentially some guys to

Starting point is 00:19:09 the roster. But you also have to balance that with what kind of... But they've communicated, I think, with all the walk-ons and they've kind of figured out, here's the 20 that are going to stay and here's everybody else's. If they're still here, they are going to have to here's everybody else is if they're still here they are going to have to find a new home. So and they know that. So funny that like the house case has kind of gotten stuck in the mud on this point of you know roster size and boy you know what Kirk Ferent said months and months ago And maybe we should have grandfathered this in and the judges saying the exact same thing

Starting point is 00:19:48 But everybody's already done all the cutting. So what's the point in trying to unring that bell? It just doesn't make any sense. So So I think we're gonna see 105 and 85 scholarships I want to go back to just the offense other receivers for a second He said you had some glowing reports about Seth Anderson and carving up the defense. I know Grunowski's not playing. So what does this say about Hank Brown? Might that be as advertised?

Starting point is 00:20:15 I think he's had a good spring. And I think that may have been some part of the reason that Solly hit the portal was, one, he knows that the starter thing was going to probably happen for Grunowski. I don't think he had any illusions that he was going to end up being a starter, but maybe he did. He just finally realized that, I don't know, but I think Hank Brown, I think he's probably got the strongest arm out of the guys that just watch him throw on the side that, but he's got a big arm, big kid. And I know that Tim Lester's really

Starting point is 00:20:55 high on him and his potential. So having said that, they're going to still keep recruiting guys. And I know they're trying to take two in 2026 and you know they're always poking around on quarterbacks so it's it's amazing how they've remade that room in a in like a year I mean they've cleaned that thing out and just brought in a whole new set of players crazy absolutely a little basketball to wrap things up Tom Kaker joining us HawkeyeReport.com. It is official Trevin Yurok. And Tom, I told you before, I saw Trev, I don't know, probably called 25 of his games now the last three years.

Starting point is 00:21:32 Little Birdie told me he's up to 6'11 now, and those growth plates are not closed yet. He is a very unique skillset. He passes the ball well. He was a guard growing up, playing A.U. hoops with the rest of that class. Athletically, there's work that needs to be done there. How do you think it's going to translate it and what can you rock do?

Starting point is 00:21:50 Maybe even as a backup big right away. Yeah, I think he just, he gives them something that they don't really have on the roster right now, which is size. And, um, you know, he's a below the rim guy. I don't think anybody's going to say he's like, well, he's going to be above the square blocking shots or anything. But he's smart. He knows how to play.

Starting point is 00:22:13 He's just one of those guys that when you watch the film, he's like, oh, this kid just knows what he's doing. He knows his limitations. He knows what he's good at. Knows where he's going to struggle and plays to his strengths. I just find him to be and plays to his strengths. I just find him to be a very bright basketball player. So he's a guy that they can develop.

Starting point is 00:22:31 I think they, you know, obviously they need to find another big man, experienced guy. So Trev doesn't have to come in and just be an impact type player, but they can do that and they can bring him along at a more reasonable pace. I think that's going to serve him well as he moves forward in his college career. Tom Cakert, HawkeyeReport.com, part of the On3 network. Tom Cakert, HawkeyeReport.com. Tom, thank you as always and we'll talk to you in a week. Have a great week, Tom. Okay. Thanks, guys. Yep. Good to talk to you. Tom Kakert as we check in on Iowa. Always great stuff out of Tom. Appreciate his time joining us as we talk all things Hawkeyes. Well, the big

Starting point is 00:23:17 Friday in the transfer portal wasn't all. Yes, there's actually things happening on the field. Talk about the Iowa baseball team putting a win that puts themselves in position to win yet another series and strengthen yes an NCAA tournament bid. We'll talk about that next. Lockdown Hawkeyes. Alright back with you one final time here on the Lockdown Hawkeyes podcast I'm

Starting point is 00:23:46 Trent Conda thanks for being with us hit subscribe if you're watching us on YouTube or a five star review if you're listening really do appreciate it and helps us get in front of more Hawkeye fans every day there's a shout out to you thanks for being with us every day that's what we do here on the Lockdown Network your team every day I got you covered on the Hawkeyes with your favorite NFL team with the draft right around the corner, your favorite baseball team. Hockey and NBA playoffs are underway,

Starting point is 00:24:11 and a whole lot more all right here on the Lockdown Network. Iowa baseball moves to 15 and four now in the Big Ten as they survive against Michigan on Friday night. A nice victory for them now that there's still more work that needs to be done here gotta get the series victory at a good start six five they get it done out hit the Wolverines thirteen to seven the bats came to play and yet in a night where you don't play your best when your clunkers and that was certainly

Starting point is 00:24:41 the case here Kate Obermuller who has been so tremendous for Iowa putting himself in consideration not just to be an all big ten pitcher but maybe you know be on some of those all-american lists that's how well he had been throughout the course of the year. Was it there? You walked for something that was pretty uncharacteristic of him and yet Iowa found a way jumped out to an early came back, and now they take this series lead. Iowa has now taken game one in their last five series. You get off to that good start. Gonna go a long ways.

Starting point is 00:25:12 Gotta finish it off, though, and had to use the bullpen. Probably a little bit more than they were anticipated here on a Friday night. Iowa's resume, though, improves for the NCAA tournament with this one. They made a big jump up the RPI up to number 78 now after that victory. Want to certainly tack on a little bit more here. You got an opportunity against this Michigan team. We've talked about it a ton. Iowa's end of schedule is going to be difficult, but there are opportunities that go along with it.

Starting point is 00:25:39 And as you saw tonight, and the big RPI jump that they had, getting a road victory as they that is going to go a long way certainly for them over to a little softball conversation as we continue to keep an eye on the Iowa softball team had to move around a little bit and they'll be taking on Penn State. It will be a Saturday, Sunday, Monday when the softball team will be taking on Penn State this week as they moved a few things around. Six o'clock first pitch on Saturday night against Penn State. They're a top 100 team sitting about 500 on the year before they go to Michigan State next week. That's what's on tap for the softball team this weekend. Out of time for today, we will be back with you on Monday though. Hopefully we'll have some official commitment news for Iowa basketball. Hopefully we'll have, yes, on the dotted line. All good with Alvaro Fulgaris as a Fulgaris boy.

Starting point is 00:26:42 He's a guy I'm incredibly excited about for Ben McCollum's group. But I'll tell you, I'm going to go right out there. If they land him, the roster that's not even done that Ben McCollum has put together, I believe, you're number one, they will be an NCAA tournament team. But they have to get full Garris. Let's grab another couple guys too on top of it. That is down the line. We are down the line with you coming up on Monday. Thanks for being with us as always and don't forget we are less than a week away from the NFL Draft. Thanks as always for making Lockdown Hawkeyes your first listen today. For your

Starting point is 00:27:17 second listen, check out Lockdown NFL Draft. Watch today's episode. It is tremendous with Damian Parson and Keith Siaches. Your favorite college players getting ready for the next level. You could get the latest draft rankings, rumors and news every single day. Find Lockdown NFL Draft on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. Back with you on Monday. Enjoy the weekend. Until then, go Hawks.

Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - BREAKING: Iowa's Portal COUP Shocks College Football | Is Bryce George the MISSING PIECE?

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