Iowa Football: The Seniors Will Dictate The Hawkeyes Success In 2017

Each year in November, a class of Hawkeye football players present a yellow rose to their mom’s on ‘senior day’. For them it will be the last time they play in Kinnick Stadium. In 2017, the success of these seniors will go a long way in determining if its a ‘rebuilding’ year, or one to remember.

Last season, the Hawkeyes came into the year with alot of upperclassmen experience. This most certainly helps any team battle through what can be a ‘grueling’ Big Ten schedule. This year the amount of seniors is more limited, but this is a group that has seen their share of success.

For the four-year seniors, and those who took a redshirt on the this years team, they have made a bowl game in each season they have been in the program. Granted none have tasted victory in those games as the Hawkeyes have lost two Outback Bowls, Rose and Tax Slayer Bowl in the last four seasons.

But, this is a group that largely came to Iowa City after the bowl-less campaign of 2012, and the promising rebound of 2013.

As currently constructed, the Hawkeyes have no senior quarterbacks or defensive ends on the roster. The wide receiver room has one senior in it currently, as Matt VandeBerg leads the way in a young group.

The tight ends continue to impress, and of the four listed on the depth chart, three were sophomores or redshrit freshmen. Only senior Peter Pekar was listed. But, there is also a clear that Iowa fans think senior Jon Wisnieski can make an impact. Wisnieski has had an injury-plagued career, but in new offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz’ offense, multiple tight end sets can be assumed to be used ‘early and often’.

The backfield has alot of yards from past seasons coming back, and it can be expected, again this season. Seniors Akrum Wadley and graduate transfer James Butler could be one of the best running back tandems in the country. Both players have had excellent careers, and it will be interesting to see how they are used. Could we see some Butler & Wadley on the field at the same time?

Paving the way for them are seniors Drake Kulick at fullback, and offensive lineman Sean Welsh, Ike Boettger and Boone Myers. Welsh was a 2nd Team All-American (USA Today) in 2016, and racked up awards in both his freshman and sophomore years on campus. Myers has started in ten or more games the last two seasons, and played redshirt freshman year. Boettger was All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season, and like Myers played in the previous two seasons.

All of these ‘people movers’ will be integral in the Hawkeyes offensive success in 2017.

The most experienced position by far for Iowa this season is linebacker.

The Hawkeyes have three starters with a bevy of experience in Josey Jewell, Bo Bower and Ben Niemann. All three have made big impacts in their time in the black and gold. Jewell of course has been linked to every major national award that he qualifies for in anticipation of his senior year. He could very well finish as among the best defensive players in program history.

Niemann has already started in 41 games in his career, and was a All-Big Ten Honorable Mention during the Rose Bowl run of 2015. Bower also has played a ton of snaps in his career, and it can be expected that the group should be among the leagues best.

The defensive line has a ton of youth as well, to go along with the secondary. Senior safety Miles Taylor is the lone senior in among the corners and safety groups. Like the receivers, it will be a young and inexperienced group. Taylor has a chance to make an impact during his final season.