Iowa Football Depth Chart Projections for Spring 2024 and Beyond

IOWA CITY — Kirk Ferentz said the March 26 depth chart “doesn't mean much” when he spoke to reporters during the second week of spring practice.

“You never know what August 31st will be like,” said Ferentz, who will begin his 26th season as Iowa State's head football coach in 2024.

We know a little more about May 2nd than March 26th. Iowa State's 15 spring practices have been completed, meaning 15 opportunities for the coaching staff to evaluate players. Portal departure is out of the way. (The deadline for admission to the portal was Tuesday.)

However, other variables remain. Players currently in the portal still have time to commit, and Iowa has some portal needs (particularly at quarterback). Given that Iowa currently has 87 scholarships, roster attrition (or at least a change in status) still has to occur.

And there will be a four-month offseason between now and the start of the season. A lot can (and probably will) change leading up to and during fall camp.

With those disclaimers in mind, here are The Gazette's 2024 Hawkeye depth chart projections for spring and beyond.

offense

quarterback

Quarterback is the Hawkeyes' most pressing need in the transfer portal. Iowa State's 2024 roster is down to three quarterbacks. Two are freshmen and the other is recovering from knee surgery.

run back

Kamari Moulton's performance in the first-team offense during last month's spring open practice (splitting duties with Caleb Johnson while Leshon Williams was out) shows the redshirt freshman's rapid rise. This was the latest sign of.

fullback

Iowa State's fullback usage may look different in Tim Lester's offense, but Rusty VanWetzinga appears to be the top option when there is a fullback on the field.

tight end

Despite losing fourth-round NFL pick Eric Orr and undrafted free agent Steven Stilianos, tight end appears to be a strength once again for the Iowa offense in 2024.

wide receiver

The University of Iowa's spring open practice showed how useful Kaden Wetchen can be in Tim Lester's offensive scheme. The Williamsburg native appears to be at least the No. 3 wide receiver in the state of Iowa, and there's a good case to be made for one of the top two spots.

left tackle

Mason Richman enters the 2024 season with a rare level of experience as he enters his fourth year as Iowa's starting left tackle.

left guard

The addition of former North Dakota center Cade Bold via the transfer portal could allow Tyler Ellsbury to compete for the starting guard spot. Bo Stevens and Nick DeJong are also strong candidates.

center

Iowa has the benefit of added depth behind center Logan Jones. Bord was the starting center for North Dakota last year, which had the highest batting average in the FCS conference at over .500.

right guard

Connor Colby, like Richman, will be entering his fourth season as a starter on the Hawkeyes' offense. He has played more than 2,000 career snaps on the offensive line, according to Pro Football Focus.

right tackle

Repeating Solon Beef Days Hay Bale Toss champion Jennings Dunker has the potential to perform at the All-Big Ten level in 2024 if he stays healthy. DeJong, on the other hand, could realistically play four different positions on the offensive line depending on Iowa State's needs.

defense

defense end

With Joe Evans no longer eligible (and in the NFL), Ethan Harkett is expected to take the starter role opposite Deonte Craig. Evans was the only Iowa defensive lineman to record more tackles than Harkett, who recorded six tackles in 2023.

defensive tackle

The big question before spring practice was who would step up to the position after the obvious one-two three of Yahya Black, Aaron Graves and Jeremiah Pittman. Walk-on and former Linn-Mar standout Luke Gaffney could be part of the answer.

middle linebacker

Jay Higgins had the difficult task of succeeding Butkus Award winner Jack Campbell last year, but he exceeded expectations. Higgins totaled 171 tackles in a season, tying a program record.

weakside linebacker

Nick Jackson's return was a bit of an unexpected (and very welcome) surprise for the Hawkeyes after the NCAA granted him a sixth season of eligibility waivers. He needs 114 more tackles by 2024 to break the NCAA career total tackle record.

leo linebacker

Iowa also has the luxury of having a veteran linebacker, as Kyler Fisher has decided to return for his sixth and final season of eligibility. According to PFF, Fisher has 1,279 career snaps.

cash safety

Sebastian Castro showed significant improvement from 2022 to 2023, making him one of the best defensive backs in Iowa heading into the 2024 season. It wouldn't be surprising to see him moved to strong safety when Iowa isn't using the cash position.

cornerback

Jon Nester, Deshaun Lee, and TJ Hall all appear to be candidates for the first-team cornerback position opposite Jamari Harris. Nester had an impressive spring, drawing comparisons to former Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year Riley Moss.

strong safety

Former five-star recruit Xavier Nwankpa is in his third season with the Hawkeyes. He had one interception, two pass breakups and two tackles for a loss in his first full season as a starter.

free safety

Quinn Schulte's return for his sixth and final year of eligibility was a big win for the secondary. He recorded one interception and four pass breakups, but was described by his teammates as a “coach on the field.”

special teams

kicker

Drew Stevens experienced some adversity at the end of last season, going 5-for-10 in November. But before that month, Stevens had won 29 of 34 games in his career.

panter

It wouldn't be fair to expect Reece Dakin to become 'Tori Taylor 2.0' any time soon, but the fellow Australian has plenty of potential to punt as Taylor's successor in the NFL. .

long snapper

Luke Elkin earned starting long snapper duties as a true freshman in 2021, and the Neenah, Wis., native never relinquished that role.

Owner

Iowa special teams coordinator LeVar Woods said Ty Nissen has the “edge” in the race for holder. This isn't the first time the No. 1 punter isn't the No. 1 holder.

Comment: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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