Hawkeyes.org - 2010 FB Position Preview

by Dr. Jay
Hawkeyes.Org Editor

Today continues with #6 in my 10-part preview of the 2010 Hawkeye Football team. In this 10-part series, I'll detail each position by pointing out who's gone, who's returning, and who's new. Plus, I'll discuss where I feel the strengths of the team lie, and where the weak links are. Today's installment: Tight End.

Updated 08/06/10 with new transfer information...

Movin' On: TE Tony Moeaki, TE Kyle Spading
Movin' Up: SR Allen Reisner, JR Brad Herman, JR Zach Furlong, SO Zach Derby, SO Jonathan Gimm, RS FR Dakota Getz
Movin' Over: None
Movin' In: TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE Austin Vier
Movin' Out: SO J.D. Griggs (transferring out as of 08/06/10)

What a huge loss of a great playmaker when Tony Moeaki graduated and was drafted. He just signed a deal with the KC Chiefs, and despite his on-again off-again injury situation while at Iowa, he was a gifted athlete, and a true gamebreaker when he was healthy. Iowa will have a tough job crafting a new TE weapon out of the guys left. Also gone is deep reserve Kyle Spading, who walked on, and never saw any game action his whole career as a Hawkeye.

The #1 returning player at that position is Allen Reisner. He played in all 13 games last season, starting 3 while Moeaki was hurt. He's been a very capable player, and reminds me a lot of Brandon Myers before his breakout senior season. He has 27 catches for 374 yards and 2 touchdowns over his career, roughly evenly split between his sophomore and junior campaigns. One of 11 players to play his true freshman year, Reisner did not redshirt due to the depth and injury issues ahead of him. While he doesn't have the size, speed, or hands of Tony Moeaki, he's a good blocker and when called upon can make the big 3rd down play.

In a 2-TE set, or if Reisner is hurt, junior Brad Herman is likely to see some playing time in 2010. A bit bigger than Reisner, Herman also saw action his true freshman year, and in his sophomore year in 2009, had 1 catch for 3 yards. Pushing Herman for playing time will be freshman C.J. Fiedorowicz. C.J. originally had committed to Illinois, but then changed his mind in November of last year and became a Hawkeye. Fiedorowicz was one of two four-star HS recruits, and was listed as the #2 TE prospect in the nation in 2009. At 6'7", 250 pounds, he still has been clocked at 4.55 in the 40 yard dash, and already has the physical skills to compete for a spot on the 2-deep. How he blocks and catches, and how quickly he learns the offense during summer and fall camp will determine how big an impact he will make, but all accounts are that he's the most likely player from the new recruiting class to contribute immediately.

Of the other five returning TE's, only Jonathan Gimm and J.D. Griggs have seen any playing time; neither had any stats, but Griggs saw a few snaps vs. Iowa State last season, and Gimm played in 12 games mostly on special teams. Newcomer Austin Vier has the 6'7" height of his co-freshman Fiedorowicz, but at 228 pounds is better suited as a WR until he can pack on some bulk. This year, it looks to be a 3-man rotation for the one (and sometimes 2) TE spots on the field. Reisner is the man to beat as he has both experience and skills to play in the Big Ten. Brad Herman and newcomer C.J. Fiedorowicz will each see significant action. While Griggs recently announced plans to transfer out of the program, Gimm will probably be relegated to special teams. Injuries or any surprise development could shake things up a bit, but the other youngsters aren't likely to break into the 2-deep this season.

While Iowa utilizes the TE for offense as well as blocking, Moeaki was a special player, and I expect a bit of drop off from last year's production at this position. Still, Reisner has the skills to keep a team honest and watching for the play to the TE. If he can have a breakout senior season as Brandon Myers did, the Iowa offense will be very tough to defend. Even if he doesn't, and merely blocks well, that's going to be a help to the other unit that suffered greatly from graduation. A good blocking TE will help relieve the pressure on the front five as they try to develop new chemistry for 2010. Next up: Offensive Line

Previous Installments:
Intro
Quarterbacks
Kickers
Defensive Line
Linebackers