What2Watch4: Iowa Spring Practice

Hawkeyes Wrap Up Session with Public Workout Saturday at Kinnick

The Iowa football student section cheering during a game against Iowa State on Sept. 10, 2022 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

IOWA CITY, Iowa - The forecast calls for football weather Saturday when Iowa wraps up its Spring practice session with a public workout at Kinnick Stadium. Kids Day in August will be the only other opportunity for fans to watch the Hawkeyes before the season kicks off. 

Limited access for fans and media leads to overreaction during these viewings. Expect that coming out of this one. And that's OK...in healthy doses. 

Here's a quick rundown on what to watch if you're in the house Saturday, going position by position: 

Quarterback: We're likely to see a lot of Joe Labas and Deacon Hill while Cade McNamara continues easing into action after last Fall's surgery. The Michigan transfer was limited during a short segment of a practice media attended earlier this month. 

But barring another injury, McNamara will be QB1 for Game 1. And what he does then is all that matters. He has a summer's worth of 7-on-7s and August camp to prepare. 

The question is who backs him up? We'll get a peek into that competition Saturday. Labas should have the edge being in the system, but Hill was recruited by Iowa analyst/quarterback coach Jon Budmayr to Wisconsin. 

Labas and Hill are third-year sophomores. The chance of both guys finishing up their eligibility with the Hawkeyes is not great in the transfer portal era. And they're a play away from starting in 2023. 

It's an important competition. 

Running Back: We've seen running backs go down with injuries in these practices through the years. It's why the guys at the top of the two-deep probably will receive limited action Saturday. 

Don't expect much from Kaleb Johnson, in particular. He's RB1 and as established as one can be as a true sophomore. 

The competition behind him is interesting. Junior Leshon Williams, the returning No. 2, could be pushed by second-year ball carrier, Jaziun Patterson. Also check out true freshman Terrell Washington Jr., who enrolled in January. 

Receiver - Remember, it's only spring. There's time to address this position in the portal. And some key players are sidelined right now. 

The recommendation here is to look for positives Saturday. Understand that plenty of progress is expected and needed before the campaign kicks off.

Focus on Diante Vines when he's competing. Iowa benefits greatly if he takes a big step forward. 

Watch a talented group of walk-ons that includes Alec Wick, Jack Johnson and Kaden Wetjen. One or more could be needed in the Fall. 

Tight End - Hopefully we get to see the top three dudes at this spot but being cautious in full-contact drills makes sense, too. One thing is for sure, Luke Lachey, Erick All and Addison Ostrenga form a group rivaling the best in the Big Ten. 

Interesting potential exists behind the top trio. Transfers Steven Stillianos and Hayden Large, redshirt freshman Cael Vanderbush, and walk-ons Johnny Pascuzzi, Andrew Lentsch and Kyson Van Vugt are competing to improve their standing. 

Offensive Line - Newcomer Daijon Parker was in a walking boot earlier in Spring practice. Fellow portal addition, Rusty Feth, was finishing up academics at Miami (Ohio) this semester. On top of that, the offensive front has been dealing with poor health beyond Parker. 

It's hard to know who's practicing Saturday. Certainly don't put too much stock in how the unit performs as a whole. It's missing pieces and facing a nasty D-Line. 

Look for progress from individuals, such as center Logan Jones executing clean snaps, and tackle Mason Richman and guard Connor Colby holding up well on the left side. These guys should achieve consistency with experience under their belts. 

Defensive Line - Starting tackle Noah Shannon is out following offseason surgery. Logan Lee and Joe Evans are established veterans. 

The intrigue here comes in the form of an embarrassment of riches. Backups here would be starting at quite a few other places. 

Deontae Craig projects as the breakout player off of the edge, especially with Lukas Van Ness moving on to the NFL. He versus Richman could be fun to watch during this workout. 

Beyond Craig and Evans, there's competition. Ethan Hurkett, Max Llewellyn, Brian Allen, Caden Crawford, Chris Reames, Jeff Bowie and Jackson Filer are in a group working for game reps. 

Yahya Black and Aaron Graves rotated in at tackle during '22. Anterio Thompson from Iowa Western and Jeremiah Pittman have been pushing for time on the inside. 

Linebacker - Transfer Nick Jackson is finishing up school at Virginia this semester. He'll likely start if healthy. Jay Higgins is another projected starter. It's wide open behind them. 

Scholarship returnees Karson Sharar, Zach Twedt, Jaden Harrell, Justice Sullivan, Landyn Van Kekerix and Jayden Montgomery are candidates. Veteran walk-on Kyler Fisher certainly could factor into the equation. 

Keep an eye on where these guys line up. There could be a playing time crunch this season if Iowa relies more on a 4-2-5 alignment. 

Defensive Back - Cooper DeJean and Jermari Harris should man the corner spots with Quinn Schulte and Xavier Nwankpa at safety for your starting '23 secondary. Sebastian Castro is poised for plenty of reps as the No. 1 Cash. 

Intrigued pops up behind that group. It's an important spring for juniors A.J. Lawson and Brended Deasfernades at cornerback. They're competing with, among others, a talented pair of second-year players in T.J. Hall and DeShaun Lee, along with walk-on Jamison Heinz. 

At safety, redshirt freshman Koen Entringer is one to watch. Walk-on Jackson Rexroth is in the mix. Sophomore Deavin Hilson is working in the defensive backfield after moving over from running back. 

Specialists - Enjoy the work of punter Tory Taylor, kicker Drew Stevens and long snapper Luke Elkin. You can check in on their backups - Max Hoskins, Aaron Blom, and Liam Reardon - as well. It's a good group.