Iowa Football: Five Players to Watch in Spring Practices

No. 3 – Jerminic Smith

Of course we can’t forget about the offensive side of the ball.  The Hawkeyes will return their leading pass catcher from last year in Matt Vandeberg, but they do lose their deep threat in Tevaun Smith.  T. Smith caught the huge touchdown pass to start the fourth quarter in the Big Ten Championship game.

Jerminic could be the same type of receiver for the Hawks.  He showed us last year that he has big play ability when he filled in for Tevaun in the Illinois game, which is the game that got Iowa to 6-0 on the season.

He had four catches and 118 yards in a game that he might’ve gotten the game ball if not for Jordan Canzeri’s 43 carry, 256 yard, two touchdown performance.  He showed that he has the ability to go up and catch passes and will be able to give Iowa the deep threat they desperately need to have an effective running game, which is their bread and butter.

Smith and fellow sophomore, Jay Scheel, will likely battle for that outside spot, but I expect Smith to be the starter in the fall.  Obviously, we are still a long ways away from kicking off the regular season, but he showed me enough last season to believe he has the potential to be a good receiver for the Hawks.

C.J. Beathard will likely rely on Vandeberg a whole heck of a lot because of his experience, but Smith and Riley McCarron are going to need to be viable options for an Iowa offense that has to be effective in the passing game for the running game to have any sort of impact.

Don’t be surprised if Smith turns some heads during the spring.

Next: Number Two