Rusty Feth Back at It After Spring on Sidelines

Miami (Ohio) Transfer OL Settling In With Iowa Football

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Rusty Feth spent the spring semester as a normal college student.

Which, the new Iowa offensive lineman said, was kind of nice, although it took some adjustment since he wasn’t involved in spring practice.

Feth, who was going to be joining the Hawkeyes as a graduate transfer, still had academic work to finish at Miami (Ohio), so instead of going through spring workouts, it was all about finishing his degree in sports management and a minor in business.

The break, he said, was helpful, even if he wanted to be with his new team.

“It was tough,” Feth said during a media availability last week. “I wanted to be here, for sure. But I’ve had enough reps in spring ball, camps, stuff like that. As much as I wanted to be here, it was a good break on my body. I’ve played a lot of football. It was good to get the rest, get the time I wouldn’t have had. But I do wish I was here practicing in spring ball.

“I like being busy, and I like playing football, obviously. So it was a little weird not doing spring ball.”

Feth did get a little time with the Hawkeyes. He came to campus with his father for a week in the spring, and also came to Iowa’s open spring scrimmage.

“That was more learning the playbook, getting that stuff down, learning the terms,” Feth said of his week in Iowa City. “You know, it’s not as much learning what the plays are, it’s more about learning what it’s called, learning the terminology and the language that’s used here.”

Feth, who has played all three interior positions on the offensive line, finally arrived on campus after graduation. Wednesday was his first day working on skills and drills.

“I’ve been itching to get back out and do it,” he said. “Today was a lot of fun, just getting the cleats on. We don’t have any pads on, but it was still fun just being coached.”

Feth is reunited with Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett, who was his position coach at Miami in 2019 and 2020. That kind of familiarity, Feth said, helped not only in making the decision to come to Iowa, but also has helped ease the transition to a new program.

“I definitely think it will help me,” he said. “I’ve been familiar with how he coaches. Stuff we do at practice, I’ve done before. So it’s more getting used to doing it again rather than learning it. I’ve done it before, so that helps.”

Feth said playing for Barnett is “awesome.”

“He’s a great man, great coach,” Feth said. “Last time I was with him was in the COVID year, 2020. So it’s good to get back with him, getting back with the way he coaches.

“Everything is a pretty good memory with him. He’s just a good coach, great guy. He cares about the person first versus the player first.”

Feth has enjoyed his first weeks in Iowa City.

“This place is really special,” he said. “The way that people come up to you and say, ‘Hi.’ And not just the people in the football building. People in Iowa City, they come up and say, ‘Hi,’ to you, or ‘Congratulations.’ They make you feel welcome.”

Feth played center his last two seasons at Miami, but has also played at guard as well. That experience makes him valuable for an offensive line that has had its struggles the last two seasons.

The chance at a season with the Hawkeyes, Feth said, is what he wanted.

“I am very grateful they have given me an opportunity to play,” he said. “I have one year left, and I have to make the most out of it. By being here at Iowa, that’s being top-tier, one of the best places I can put myself in.”