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Iowa football: Where to find each Hawkeye rookie in preseason week one

By Andrew Wade

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: T.J. Hockenson of Iowa reacts after being chosen #8 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: T.J. Hockenson of Iowa reacts after being chosen #8 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Iowa football season is less than a month away, but it’s not here yet. Until then, catch glimpse of Hawkeye rookies this weekend in preseason week one.

I know it’s just preseason, but it’s been months without football (save for the Hall of Fame Game), so I am getting excited. Moreover, with excitement building for the 2019 Iowa football season, I’m getting antsy for the Hawks to take the field at the end of August against Miami of Ohio.

Fortunately, the Iowa football team did a pretty good job of securing jobs for their graduating seniors and underclassmen in the NFL Draft class of 2019.

With preseason getting in full swing this weekend, it’s time to see what these rookies are made of.

Here’s a breakdown of which games in preseason week one to watch to find which Hawkeye rookies.

Thursday, August 8th:

  • Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills (6 PM)
    • Iowa football rookies: Nick Easley
    • Notes: Easley has been (to nobody from Iowa’s surprise) a breakout player in camp who is putting the other receivers battling for a spot on the roster on notice.
  • New England Patriots @ Detroit Lions (630 PM)
    • Iowa football rookies: TJ Hockenson, Matt Nelson
    • Notes: Hockenson has been crushing it in camp so far, and the Lions look to feature him heavily in his offense. Nelson, meanwhile, is making the transition to offense and will likely get snaps in the 4th quarter.
  • Tennessee Titans @ Philadelphia Eagles (630 PM)
    • Iowa football rookies: Amani Hooker, Keegan Render, Parker Hesse
    • Notes: Amani Hooker has got the most publicity of these three as he’s been taking reps with the 1s. This will be our first look at Hesse as he transitions to tight end/h-back and our first news of Keegan Render as he makes his debut with Philadelphia.
  • Denver Broncos @ Seattle Seahawks (9 PM)

Friday, August 9th:

  • Tampa Bay Buccanneers @ Pittsburgh Steelers (630 PM)
    • Iowa football rookies: Anthony Nelson
    • Notes: The lone Hawkeye in this game is Anthony Nelson. There hasn’t been much coming out of camp for Nelson, who is converting to linebacker. He is currently listed as the second-team outside linebacker behind another tall Big Ten player in Carl Nassib. Expect him to play the second and third quarters.

Saturday, August 10th:

  • St Louis Rams @ Oakland Raiders (7 PM)
    • Iowa football rookies: James Butler, Jake Gervase
    • Notes: We likely won’t see either of these guys until late in the game. Butler joined the team late and is currently listed as 5th on the depth chart while Gervase is attempting to make the team as an undrafted free agent who needed a tryout just to get a contract. Gervase is currently on the fourth string as a strong safety.
  • Dallas Cowboys @ San Francisco 49ers (8 PM)
    • Iowa football rookies: Ross Reynolds
    • Notes: San Francisco’s official depth chart hasn’t been released, but I anticipate Reynolds getting into the game in the middle of the third quarter.

Again, although this isn’t a real game that counts towards the regular season, these games will go along ways in determining if some of these guys will still be in the NFL after the last round of preseason cuts.

The blueprint to winning the Big Ten West. dark. Next

Doing well in preseason game number one can lead to bigger opportunities to showcase the remainder of the season.