The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

[Hellisan]

Around the Nation - Week 13

[RoundingThird]

Re: Around the Nation - Week 13

10-0, but as you said, still so much to do! I love watching Iowa play, especially with the wave up to the children's hospital. Looking forward to the last few games.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: Around the Nation - Week 13

Michigan kept up its part of the bargain with a win over Penn State. Now it looks like you guys might be set up for the game of the year.

[Hellisan]

Hawk Blog Update

This Class Could Be Great - Or a Real Bummer

We're down to the nitty gritty with recruiting this season. Coach Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes staff have made some headway with a class that Rivals is currently calling #23 in the nation.

STUDS - I've got three guys I think will be players. These are all players who have given their verbal commitments.

HB Shakur Becton - Morehead City, North Carolina. Becton is a prototypical power running
back. He has looked like a man amongst boys this year in high school, leading his team to the State championship game. He's an interesting prospect because he's exceedingly strong, with one of the best bench presses and squats in the country, but what stands out about him are his moves and elusiveness in traffic. He's a load, just because of his sheer size and strength, but he's just as likely to give the defender a little movement just at the right time to slip by, as run him over.

CB Lionel Robinson - Odessa, Texas - Robinson has all the traits to be a very good player in this defense. The team mixes up their zone and man coverages, not specializing in either one, but asks that their corners are physical at the line of scrimmage and expects them to make the tackle. Robinson fits the bill, and his size/speed combination is ideal for the system. Whether in man or zone, he is competent, though not spectacular.

MLB Brandon Butler - Terrytown, Louisiana - Joe McDaniel out of Illinois recently committed to Mississippi State. If they had signed Butler and McDaniel, they would have been in a great position. Butler, however, stacks up well with McDaniel. Butler is extremely physical with blockers and shows the ability to keep working through traffic, yet has solid athleticism. He'll miss the occasional tackle, but can put a big hit on the runner and is one of the strongest players in the entire class, let alone the linebacker class. Pound for pound this guy is impressive.


DUDS - Doh. Can't win them all.

ATH/QB Malik Smith - Marshalltown, IA - He's pretty much a local boy, an hour and a half drive away, and his parents will be able to attend every game. Noted as being an athlete, all I see on film and based on reports I'm hearing is that he is probably a QB. Prototypical size, but lackluster athleticism and arm strength. On defense he played linebacker, but didn't grade out like one. He left evaluators unimpressed, expecially this season. When you recruit an exciting 4-star athlete from in state and then find out he's probably going to be a backup QB unless he improves significantly, it's a little disappointing.

TE Darrian Sizemore - Pryor Creek, OK - It's good to see Coach Clark going after Oklahoma. I've been saying for a long time the team should recruit there, and focus harder on Texas, and it looks like they are making headway, even if it might take a long time to make this a pipeline. Originally, some evaluators felt like Sizemore could be a great all-around tight end, but he has had a disappointing senior season. He doesn't appear to be the hardest worker in the weight room, and there's nothing about him that has stood out this year. In prior years he looked like a better blocker. With hard work he could become a starter, primarily due to a lack of competition. I don't expect much from him though.


MAKE OR BREAK

The Iowa Hawkeyes name is being thrown around on the list of several very good players. Sign a significant portion of this group, and you're looking at a Top 10 class. Lose them all, and I'd be surprised if it makes the Top 25.

ATH/CB/WR D.J. Halloway - Coverage stud, one of the best in the nation - He could play both ways as well.

G Alonso Morris - A few weeks ago this looked like a better bet, but it's getting crowded. Good, maybe not special.

CB Camden Mann - A fast man coverage specialist. Doesn't have the speed and athleticism of Halloway, but few do.

DT Chris Wilson - If they can just hold on and get to his visit in Week 14, they'll have a pretty good shot. Pass rushing specialist as a DT, Iowa still has a big lead over Minnesota which he visited in Week 12, and Nebraska which he visits in Week 13. Ironically, Nebraska will pay a visit to Iowa when he visits the following week. At least he'll have Nebraska thoroughly vetted if this all plays out as scheduled. Texas A&M (Week 5 Visit) still has a slim lead over Iowa, but unless they sign him this week, it may not be enough to keep him from going to Iowa. This will be a big key to determine the outcome of this class - He would fit in well with the young plugger types they already signed last year, like Tyris Wyckoff who has been solid.

10-0, but as you said, still so much to do! I love watching Iowa play, especially with the wave up to the children's hospital. Looking forward to the last few games.

I love the addition of the wave, I become a semi-fan of all the teams I run, and I have watched a few games. It's a pretty cool moment and I'm glad that woman came up with it and more importantly, got her idea to the right people.

Michigan kept up its part of the bargain with a win over Penn State. Now it looks like you guys might be set up for the game of the year.

#cantwait - I think Michigan is much better than some of these other teams. If they give us their best effort it will be hard to come away with a win. They're not as talented as Ohio State, but at this point I think that game was somewhat of a fluke.

Glad to get replies from the two guys I used to get the most confused between, lol I think you're both from the same general region and have those great baseball themed usernames. I know I said this before but yeah....


User Note: Shakur Becton was previously Tim Broussard. I kind of liked the name originally, had no plan to replace it, then saw about 3,000 different Broussards on teams over the last few weeks, it must be one of the most common names in my game, so I decided to customize him, and yeah.

[Hellisan]

2019, Week 13 Preview




For the second year in a row, Michigan is without a vital part of their offensive group
when they face off against Iowa. After having their starting running back come up lame
last year before the game, Senior Cody Wallace (16 TD, 5 INT) is out for the season.

Wallace has an interesting blend of physical abilities and awareness that would have made
him a tough out for Coach Clark and the defense - a defense that has played well above
what was expected, for much of this season. The replacement is almost as good as Wallace
according to coaches, but has no escapability, with a better arm. If he can make good
decisions from the pocket and not try to run, the Hawkeyes could have trouble on their
hands.

The offense faces off against what is a deep, very good defense. They don't have any major
holes. On the other hand, they don't have a lot of star power. Senior CB Emmanuel Burns
has made the most waves this season, as he is tied for fifth in the nation in interceptions,
with six. Jonathan Brooks was held sackless for the Hawkeyes against a very good MSU
team last week. Michigan on paper may not quite be up to their level, but the Hawkeyes
certainly cannot overlook a team that will put more talent on the field than they will. But
can their defense keep up with the duo of Eddie Allen and Nigel Atkinsonson?

Speaking of Atkinson, he will be somewhat limited in this game after suffering a knee
contusion in last week's game. Coach Clark said he wants to limit his touches to around
20-25 instead of his usual "however many he can take." That means more duty for backup
Daniel Norton and Ahmad Horne. 4th string runner Kenard Goodman could even see the
field in this game.

[Hellisan]

2019, Week 13 Game Report

[Hellisan]

Hawk Blog Update - Recruiting - D.J. Halloway Verbal Commitment



5-Star ATH D.J. Halloway gives verbal after Visit

D.J. Halloway has done it all for the Springfield Senators this season as a senior, and is ranked #6 in the nation by Rivals. Whereas a total of 8 prospects will file into the stands to make their Iowa visits against Nebraska, Halloway was the only prospect in attendance when Michigan came to town. No doubt he was treated like royalty. What the 5'11", 177 lb. standout cornerback/wide receiver saw while in attendance was a secondary that picked off Michigan QB Marcus Corbett three times and harassed him for much of the day as the Hawkeyes moved to 11-0 on this magical 2019 season.

Halloway did not take long thereafter to make a verbal commitment.

"I would like to thank my high school coach, Mr. Gary Sprowling, my parents for supporting me, and Coach Clark for making the offer. Proud to announce I will be furthering my education and causing havoc for opponents at the University of Iowa! #Hawkeyes

Halloway had the Hawkeyes #1 on his list coming into the season, and the Hawkeyes certainly took notice, offering him a scholarship early in the process.

The DB/WR combo plays both sides of the ball in high school. He will likely play full time at cornerback, and then be mixed into the offense as he progresses during his career. He certainly would be a potential immediate starter at wide receiver for many teams in college football if he wanted to play there, but defensive back appears to be in his blood. He has a great recognition for what the offense is going to throw at him, and his ability in man or zone coverage is very good according to scouts. His ability to make incredible catches is good on offense, but downright rare on defense. Halloway has the potential to compete for awards in the defensive backfield year after year.

All the potential, but so much work ahead.


D.J. Halloway reacts to an incomplete pass by the opposing team in the final home game of his high school career.




Note: This is the 2019 recruiting board... Right?! I keep seeing dumb mistakes like this. Oh well.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: Hawk Blog Update - Recruiting - D.J. Halloway Verbal Commitment

Just noticed that your final 3 games are at home. Have to shuck some corn, now. Then, I imagine another date with the Buckeyes? I think you beating Michigan eliminated them in the East even if they beat OSU.

[Hellisan]

2019, Around Week 14

Just noticed that your final 3 games are at home. Have to shuck some corn, now. Then, I imagine another date with the Buckeyes? I think you beating Michigan eliminated them in the East even if they beat OSU.

Thanks for checking in Bro. Funny you posted that just as I was finishing up an update.

A nice little touch for us in terms of recruiting, and something that will probably reverse and totally screw us next season. For awhile I was wondering: What if OSU beat us in the Big Ten Championship. Would there be a possibility of the two teams playing THREE TIMES in a season in the BCS Championship game? How could they kick us down if we had only lost one game by that time?

Spoiler alert, we win our next game and they lose unfortunately and fall to #7. I wonder if they beat us in the Big Ten Championship if they could possibly catapult all the way to #1, and where we would fall. Conceivably, it's still in the cards to play thrice. We will, indeed, be playing them in the Conference Championship game.

[Hellisan]

2019, Week 14 Game Report

[Hellisan]

Hawk Blog - Recruiting Update - Final Regular Season



Hawkeyes Reel in Epic Haul

In the two weeks following the win against Nebraska, the Hawkeyes received six additional verbal commitments in addition to those signed already. They include a 4-star defensive tackle, probably the second most impressive player in the class they have signed so far, a couple of impressive linebackers, and a speedy running back.

Defensive tackle Chris Wilson is a fast, athletic but undersized defensive tackle who might play right away. Running back Maurice Brown may join with Shakur Becton to make a formidable 1-2 punch at running back in a couple years.

As good as the class has been, there are four additional players that the team probably regards as must-haves. They will probably not be able to sign all four, and may have to choose a couple of the players to focus on.

[ThatBritishGuy]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

Just a little matter of Ohio State in the way of that 13-0 and the National Title hunt is well and truly on! Although, if they bring what they did in week 7 when you went to their house and destroyed them, they might get an even bigger shock here!

If you can land a couple more of them 4 star prospects will be one big and deep class. 5 star Halloway, them stats!! He could be pretty special and break some records along the way!

[Hellisan]

Around the Nation 2019 - Championship Week Preview








That British Guy: Just a little matter of Ohio State in the way of that 13-0 and the National Title hunt is well and truly on! Although, if they bring what they did in week 7 when you went to their house and destroyed them, they might get an even bigger shock here!

If you can land a couple more of them 4 star prospects will be one big and deep class. 5 star Halloway, them stats!! He could be pretty special and break some records along the way!

---- We're Pumped to play this game man. I cant' wait to fire it up, hopefully here in a few minutes. My mind is reeling trying to figure out how to use Halloway most efficiently. I'm thinking that he will probably be the #4 WR, and that will ensure he gets rest on downs 1/2 almost every time of a drive. He's just too good not to play on offense, from the looks of it. And then I can custom set him to play on the outside and someone like Emmery Nelson to move inside in that set, giving him the opportunity to test his speed deep.

[LopaKa]

Re: Around the Nation 2019 - Championship Week Preview

Great job securing the perfect season Helli! Good luck against Ohio State!!!

[Hellisan]

2019, Big Ten Conference Championship Game Update