Next-Man-In Mantra on Full Display in Iowa Receiver Room
Injuries, Attrition Opening Up Opportunities at Position with Season On Tap
By Rob Howe
HawkFanatic.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Arland Bruce IV knows why there’s a question about his position. Iowa’s sophomore receiver also understands his words likely won’t stop the concern outside the football facility.
The wideout room has been hit with injuries and attrition this off-season, leaving fans and media wondering how the Hawkeyes will pack any punch on the outside when the campaign kicks off Saturday against South Dakota State at Kinnick Stadium.
“You just have to watch the game on Saturday. There’s not a whole lot I can say. Words mean a lot, but showing it in action means a lot more. Just stay tuned for Saturday,” Bruce IV said.
Two of Iowa’s top pass catchers from a year ago, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Charlie Jones, transferred to Purdue. The most experienced wideout, senior Nico Ragaini, suffered an injury in camp and will be out for at least this week, perhaps longer.
Keagan Johnson, expected to be a key part of the offense in 2022, has been out for most of the last eight months with an injury suffered in bowl prep last December and his availability Saturday is in question. Diante Vines hurt his wrist in camp and hopes to return later in the season.
That left redshirt freshman Brody Brecht and true freshman Jacob Bostick as the other scholarship receivers available for South Dakota State. Brecht has been slowed by an injury in camp.
Despite the absences and defections, quarterback Spencer Petras has witnessed progress this month for an offense that ranked 109th out of 130 FBS programs in passing last season at 180.1 yards per game.
“In the pass game, we’ve just been a lot more efficient this (training) camp than we were last year. That’s all skill positions doing their job, starting with the quarterback,” he said.
Tight end Sam LaPorta paced Iowa with 53 receptions in ’21. Ragaini led the receivers with 26 catches. Bruce hauled in 25 balls, and Johnson recorded 18. Nobody else available this Saturday has a college reception to his credit.
Walk-ons Alec Wick (Iowa City Regina) and Jack Johnson (West Des Moines Valley) are listed as the No. 2 receivers on this week’s depth chart. They are proving themselves in practice.
“I see a lot of hard workers,” Iowa’s all-American Cornerback Riley Moss said. “Jack Johnson and Wick have really increased their value over the offseason. I’m excited to see the receiver room get some depth in those guys along with Arland and Keagan and Nico, some of our playmakers. So, it’s going to be cool to see the receiver room evolve.”
The hope is that Wick, Johnson, Brecht and Bostick all prove themselves if and when given the chance. And when the proven guys return, the Hawkeyes will have more options at their disposal.
Moss is doing his best to help growth during practice.
“There’s sometimes when they’ll run routes, run a comeback and their hips are too high. It’s really easy for me to see that they’re going to break. Stuff like that, I give them tips to help them out. They’ve gotten a lot better this last year. It’s really cool to see,” he said.
Petras spoke this week about Iowa playing two tight ends at the same time, and potentially three. LaPorta has established himself as one of the top players at the position in the Big Ten and backup Luke Lachey has positioned himself for a breakout season. Lafayette transfer Steven Stilianos and walk-on Johnny Jacuzzi have enjoyed solid off-seasons.
“I think we really do have nice tight-end depth right now, especially with Luke and Sam. They definitely give you options there. You’ll see Saturday what we do and how much we’re going to do it. I don’t want to tip our hand too much, but that’s definitely and option,” Petras said.
While it’s human nature for people outside the building to wring their hands about the situation at receiver, players don’t operate that way. They trust the next men in.
“They’ve stepped in and didn’t miss a beat,” Moss said. “They’re running crisp routes, catching the balls they need to catch. And in my opinion, that’s your job as a receiver. They’re doing their job.
“I’m not worried at all, and I don’t think the coaches are worried at all. There’s no reason to get up in a heckle about who’s in and who’s not.”