Dear Old Gold
Fansided

Hawkeyes Add A Strong New Crop To NFL Ranks

By Joe Favia

Nov 27, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) enters the field before the game at Memorial Stadium for the contest against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. King has been suspended from the first quarter of play due to a team violation. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) enters the field before the game at Memorial Stadium for the contest against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. King has been suspended from the first quarter of play due to a team violation. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Oct 3, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Cole Croston (64) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Iowa won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Cole Croston (64) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Iowa won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Cole Croston Tackle

Joining the World Champs, Cole Croston looks to continue his impressive run from walk-on to starter for a Big Ten contender. Injuries impacted his 2017, but he wouldn’t be the first walk-on from Iowa to have an impact in the NFL.

Croston joins a Patriots offense that used to have his old offensive line coach Brian Ferentz on staff, and could be a good landing spot. The Pats did commit two draft picks with Troy’s Antonio Garcia in the third round, and UCLA’s Conor McDermott late in the 6th.

Oct 22, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Riley McCarron (83) is tackled by Wisconsin Badgers defensive end Chikwe Obasih (34) at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Riley McCarron (83) is tackled by Wisconsin Badgers defensive end Chikwe Obasih (34) at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

Riley McCarron WR

Another walk-on from Iowa that is getting a preferred shot with an NFL team, Riley McCarron used a solid season, and blazing fast pro day to get an opportunity with the Houston Texans. McCarron who led the Hawks in reception, yards, and tied for the lead in touchdowns elevated his play after Matt VandeBerg went down with injury.

The Texans didn’t invest any picks into wideout this year, after taking Braxton Miller and Will Fuller last season to join Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins. McCarron joins Hawkeye tight end CJ Fiedorowicz who came on late with success last season.

Jan 2, 2017; Tampa , FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back LeShun Daniels Jr. (29) caries the ball as Florida Gators defensive back Marcell Harris (26) defends in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Tampa , FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back LeShun Daniels Jr. (29) caries the ball as Florida Gators defensive back Marcell Harris (26) defends in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

LeShun Daniels RB

Along with Cole Croston to Foxborough will be running back LeShun Daniels via free agency. Tying for the team lead with 10 touchdowns last season, and still getting over 1000 yards while splitting carries with Akrum Wadley was impressive.

Daniels faces a competitive backfield that features veteran backs like Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, Super Bowl hero James White and newly signed Mike Gillislee. Gone is power back LeGarrette Blount. Could Daniels step up into the ‘tough yards’ back position?

https://twitter.com/LeShunDanielsJr/status/858491629870698498

Nov 27, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Brandon Reilly (87) and Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Greg Mabin (13) fight for a pass in the end zone during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Iowa won 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Brandon Reilly (87) and Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Greg Mabin (13) fight for a pass in the end zone during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Iowa won 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Greg Mabin CB

Mabin had a lot of football’s being sent his side of the field last season with the success of counter part Desmond King. Mabin had late season injuries that ended his season early, but he still got signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs do not have a lot of depth in their secondary, and the only true veteran at corner is Brent Grimes. It appears that Mabin has a strong chance to make the 53 when the season begins, and he can help the Bucs as they look to overcome the Falcons in the NFC South.

Nov 19, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Maurice Fleming (24) and Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver A.D. Miller (13) push each other after a play during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Maurice Fleming (24) and Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver A.D. Miller (13) push each other after a play during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Maurice Fleming CB (Iowa Transfer)

Cornerback Maurice Fleming also is headed to the Bucs to compete in the secondary after finishing his career with the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Nov 21, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA;Iowa Hawkeyes running back LeShun Daniels Jr. (29) follows the blocks of offensive lineman Sean Welsh (79) and tight end Jake Duzey (87) against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA;Iowa Hawkeyes running back LeShun Daniels Jr. (29) follows the blocks of offensive lineman Sean Welsh (79) and tight end Jake Duzey (87) against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

Jake Duzey TE

The feel good story of Jake Duzey who was robbed of what was hoping to be a big senior season in 2015 due to injuries. He has been invited to camp with the Indianapolis Colts according to Hawk Central.