True freshman Nate Stanley pushing to be Iowa’s backup QB
IOWA CITY, Iowa – There is a youth movement taking place on the Iowa football team with as many as 10 true freshmen in contention for playing time.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz shared that information with the media on Tuesday.
“I could see anywhere from maybe six to 10 guys getting their feet in the water this year,” Ferentz said. That’s as I stand here today. We’ll look at the film. We just did a little bit more work with them this morning.
“But we’ll try to start narrowing that down here by the end of the week.”
Quarterback Nathan Stanley is one of the newcomers on the rise. The Wisconsin native has moved ahead of redshirt freshman Drew Cook into the third spot on the depth chart behind starter C.J. Beathard and backup Tyler Wiegers.
Ferentz would prefer to redshirt the 6-foot-5, 212-pound Stanley. However, that could be difficult should Stanley also pass Wiegers on the depth chart.
“We’ll keep an open mind,” Ferentz said. “That backup quarterback (position) is still being contested pretty strongly right now. We’ll take the next couple days to look at that, too. We still have two more practices before we really have to flip the page and get into next week.”
Stanley passed for 1,728 yards and 16 touchdowns with just four interceptions as a high school senior.
Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis said Tuesday that Stanley has "certainly got himself in the mix."
"He’s done a really good job for us," Davis said. "His head is still swimming because there is a lot on him. But he is a very mature kid. And we’ll just see how it plays out."
Davis also would prefer to redshirt Stanley this season.
"I think you’d like to redshirt every quarterback," Davis said. "But at the same time, if he becomes the No. 2 guy, then we’ll play him. We’ll worry about what’s the best thing for him as well as what’s the best thing for the team."
As for Cook, Davis said there is no consideration about switching him to another position. Davis said the quarterback competition will start again in the spring and that he expects Cook to be in the running.
Some other true freshmen in the mix for playing time include defensive lineman Cedrick Lattimore, receiver Devonte Young, linebacker Amani Jones and defensive backs Manny Rugumba and Amani Hooker.
In other personnel news, sophomore James Daniels is now the starting center, while junior Sean Welsh has switched back to guard.
Ferentz also confirmed that graduate transfer Ron Coluzzi is currently the No. 1 punter and the leading candidate to handle kickoffs. Coluzzi played his first three seasons at Central Michigan.
Iowa will face Miami (Ohio) in the season opener on Sept. 3 at Kinnick Stadium.
Roster update: Ferentz said Tuesday that redshirt freshman linebacker Nick Wilson has been dismissed from team and is reassessing his future.
Wilson was charged this past weekend with driving under the influence and with driving with a suspended license.
The former West Des Moines Dowling standout was not among the 105 players who reported for preseason camp earlier this month.
“It’s not just one single event, but cumulative,” Ferentz said of the reason for Wilson’s dismissal.
Redshirt freshman receiver Emmanuel Ogwo also has switched from football to track, according to Ferentz. Ogwo was a star sprinter at Horn High School in Mesquite, Texas where he excelled in the 400-meter dash.
“Emmanuel Ogwo came in, I think it was last Thursday night or Wednesday night, mid-week, and said he’s going to go to track,” Ferentz said.
Bower vs. Mends: There is a hotly contested battle being waged for the weakside linebacker position between junior Bo Bower and sophomore Aaron Mends.
Mends is listed on the starter on the most current depth chart, But Bower, a former walk-on from West Branch, is making a push.
"It’s wide open, still,’ Ferentz said. "Bo’s had a really good camp. I’ve mentioned Bo Bower as a guy who i think hasbeen pretty stedy and consistent.
"So if we were playing tomorrow, he might be that guy. But we’ll let that play out, too, for the next couple days.
Bower started all 13 games at outside linebacker as a redshirt freshman in 2014, but then was reserve last season, appearing in all 14 games.
Mends, who is from Kansas City, Mo., played mostly on special teams last season, appearing in 13 games.