Iowa football: Three things we learned from yesterday’s early signing period

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 27: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes holds up the George M. Steinbrenner III Trophy after defeating the Boston College Eagles in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Iowa Hawkeyes won 27-20. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 27: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes holds up the George M. Steinbrenner III Trophy after defeating the Boston College Eagles in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Iowa Hawkeyes won 27-20. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs into the locker room after the first half as his team trails the Stanford Cardinal in the 102nd Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2016 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs into the locker room after the first half as his team trails the Stanford Cardinal in the 102nd Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2016 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Parallels run deep with this class

Often times, people see something very small or minute and use that to broadly make a comparison of one player to another. Sometimes it’s a legitimate comparison for other reasons, but often times it’s just a lazy take on a player.

In the 2019 class, however, there are quite a few comparisons being made, and not only are they exciting, but they are legitimate.

First, is the excitement about Georgia running back Tyler Goodson who has received comparisons to the dynamic playmaker Akrum Wadley. Moreover, many think he may be able to fight for playing time in a somewhat crowded backfield that hasn’t exactly separated itself.

"We think he’s a really talented back. He’s one of those guys that played on a state championship team. He’s got really good skills, and I think he’ll fit what we’re looking for. I like our backs right now. The three backs that we saw play this year — we didn’t get to see a lot of Ivory, but the other two guys have really done a good job, and I think he’ll hopefully help supplement that group."

The next comparison is the looking at how the Hawks have brought in three tight ends with this recruiting class with coincides with the departure of Noah Fant and possibly TJ Hockenson, who were two of the three additions in the class of 2016 that also brought in three tight ends.

Kirk was certainly excited about the prospect of Logan Lee, Josiah Miamen, and Sam LaPorta.

"I think with every bit of evidence we had coupled with what we saw in the summertime, we felt really good about him, and Josiah is a guy that we were after him hard and was glad he committed in season, and then Logan is a guy who did a really good job early. Like he jumped on our radar early, and he’s a big, aggressive guy who I think can probably help us in a couple different spots, but we’re going to start him at tight end because we’re losing two really good ones here within the next 14 months if not sooner. Obviously it’s a big part of our deal."

The last comparison, and this one is really just my own, but the Hawks quietly brought in their tackles of the future in Norwalk’s Tyler Endres and Ridge View’s Ezra Miller, both four-star tackles. Currently, the Iowa football team has two tackles, Alaric Jackson and Tristan Wirfs, both members of the 2016 class holding up the edges. It’s very easy to see Endres and Miller taking over when Jackson and Wirfs eventually depart for the NFL.

After just one day of the signing period, the Hawks bolstered their team considerably, and it’s important to note there are still a few guys out there that the Hawks have interest in, which we discussed earlier in this week.

The future looks bright in Iowa City.