Iowa Football Position Preview: OL

Competition Fueling Improvement on Hawkeye Front Line

Iowa offensive lineman Mason Rochman on the field before a game against Iowa State on Sept. 10, 2022 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

The struggles of Iowa’s offensive line last season might pay off this season.

It was an inexperienced group last season, but that was an education.

Now, Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz believes, the Hawkeyes are better prepared this season.

“I think it’s like any other position group,” Ferentz said at the Hawkeyes’ media day. You are looking to see that daily improvement and we have seen that. Offensive line is a position where there’s really no substitute for experience, and unfortunately sometimes you have guys that are out on the field that maybe just aren’t ready to be out there yet. But they get called upon to do it. Sometimes you have to go out there and try to survive and learn how to swim in deep water.

“So I think what we are seeing right now is that a lot of the young guys that have played for us in the past are stepping up and acting and playing like veterans which is all you can hope for. Performance over time is what is going to dictate what you are so that’s what we are looking to see.”

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said last season’s issues were a combination of inexperience and bad luck.

“I've been saying you really can't microwave maturity,” Ferentz said. “You just can't do it. That is a position where maturity really shows up. So again, nobody wants to hear it, but we've had injuries. We've had some unusual personnel situations.”

It’s something center Logan Jones believes. He moved from the defensive line to play center last season, and he admitted to some struggles.

Just getting to see defenses, including the talented group the Hawkeyes have, taught him some lessons.

“Our defense throws a lot of things at us, which is pretty good,” Jones said. “You never know what a team is going to throw at us. Sometimes a team is going to throw a certain front at us that I don’t know, and then we’ll have to make adjustments, learn from that. But I’ve learned a lot from last year to this year. I’m not going to be perfect, but I know a lot more.”

“I think it’s a different group in terms of mentality,” junior Mason Richman said. “Last year, we had a different group of guys, the line was young and didn’t have as much experience. But at the same time, I think this year is a growing year and a transition year. We’re focused on this year and what we can do, and I’m really excited for it.”

Iowa added two experienced linemen in the transfer portal — Rusty Feth from Miami (Ohio) and Daijon Parker from Saginaw Valley State. Feth is at his best on the interior of the line, while Parker is listed at No. 2 at right tackle on the preseason depth chart.

Richman is No. 1 at left tackle, with Nick DeJong at left guard. Beau Stephens and Gennings Dunker are on the right side, with Jones back at center.

There is enough depth there for a rotation of players, but it is important for this line to build chemistry.

“Last year, sometimes we saw a funky front or maybe wound up against somebody and thought it was completely one-on-one, but you really had four other guys lined up next to you who could help you out,” Richman said. “So, at the end of the day, I think it’s just about being more together. And we’ve done a good job of that — we’ve upped our team chemistry and our offensive line chemistry at the same time — so it’s been really good for us this season.”

It’s something Kirk Ferentz is seeing.

“Long story short, I think we have some competition in the group, which we haven't had,” he said. “We've been trying to survive. Now we've got competition, and maybe with a little bit of luck we'll probably be able to play at the tempo we want to play at. That's our goal. We're not there yet, but I feel a lot better.”