Iowa Thankful for Versatile Tyler Elsbury

Hawkeye Junior Provides Quality Depth Along Offensive Line

Iowa center Tyler Elsbury (76) and quarterback Deacon Hill (10) look over the defense while left guard Rusty Feth (60) listens for the call during a game against Illinois on Nov. 18, 2023 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HN)

Tyler Elsbury is the ultimate utility man for Iowa’s offensive line, and he’s fine with that.

He’s No. 1 on the depth chart at center for Friday’s game against Nebraska, and he’s fine with that too.

“It’s kind of exciting, to go from backup/utility guy at pretty much any position to now a teammate goes down and I have to step in there and perform for the guys,” Elsbury said Tuesday. “It’s really special. It means a lot to me.

“But it’s also part of the job. I came here to play, play snaps. Now I get to do that.”

Elsbury is at center because of an injury to Logan Jones. It’s a crucial position on the line, and it has required some adjustments.

“First couple of snaps, there was a lot of adrenaline going,” he said. “But then you settle in. At the end of the day, football is football. It’s the same game — you’ve got to block the guy in front of you. You settle in pretty fast.

“I’d say the biggest adjustment is having to snap and step. You have to see the defense, not just one guy. You have to see everything. You have to call the front. You’ve got to be consistent — you can’t have snaps flying everywhere. And you have to be pretty athletic to play that position — be low to the ground and what not.”

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said it’s important for Elsbury to have confidence to play the position.

“As I said the other night, me personally, I think Tyler's been capable of this, but now hopefully he's seen for himself that he can do this, because I think there's a little shadow of a doubt somewhere in the back there,” Ferentz said. “At some point you've got to get in the water and swim, and he's done that very, very well

“It's a tough position to play. So just a lot of credit to him. You touched on he's one of the few guys that we've had that can probably play all five positions. That's really rare. The thing that was lacking for him was that confidence in my opinion. I'm not saying he's there yet, but he sure should be further down the road now.”

“Coach Ferentz said in a press conference that confidence is a big thing,” Elsbury said. “Confidence comes from playing. So definitely the past three weeks have given me the confidence to trust myself, trust what I can do, and do my job.”

Elsbury has been at every position on Iowa’s line, and for the junior, that means playing time. Every position provides a lesson on how to play.

“Honestly, it sometimes helps,” he said of playing every position. “It comes down to the basics of football. Obviously you have to have a good base, you have to be strong, whatever. So it really helps to hammer those basics home.”

The responsibilities of playing center have taken some getting used to, Elsbury said.

“The first time you’re out there, your mind’s moving pretty fast,” he said. “Now, things slow down for you in your mind. You see the picture better.”

At 6-foot-5 and 312 pounds, Elsbury is a good fit for the position.

“Not everyone can play center,” he said. “You’re not going to put Gennings (Dunker) in there, he’s a big dude. A lot of things factor into it.”

Elsbury said he has a good relationship with Jones.

“Just last week, I was helping him in drills,” he said. “We talk all of the time in the O-line room about fronts, what to call. I consider him one of my best friends in the whole line room. A lot of people might think that’s weird, considering we’re competing for a spot. But we’re just pushing each other forward. Whether he’s playing or I’m playing, we’re trying to make each other better.”

For now, Elsbury has a spot at center, but if he’s wanted somewhere else, he’s ready.

“I’m not settling in somewhere, but I can move from spot to spot regardless of what happens,” he said. “It is a switch-up, it does cause a bit of wonder. ‘Today, am I going to practice at center? Or at tackle or guard?’ At the end of the day, wherever they put me, that’s my job. That’s my spot to perform.”