Iowa Football: Which Hawkeyes should declare for the NFL Draft

The fastest receiver at Iowa under Kirk may get some NFL looks

Ihmir Smith-Marsette is the type of wide receiver that Iowa football fans have been dreaming of for about as long as Kirk Ferentz has been the head coach.

ISM has speed that competes with Tim Dwight, the route running of Matt VandeBurg, and the strength of Marvin McNutt. He has developed into the deep threat that Iowa football hasn’t seen in decades.

The thing that I find most fascinating about Smith-Marsette is how much better he has gotten in the last year. He is making catches this season that he was unable to make in his first two at Iowa.

Against Nebraska, Ihmir finally got a kickoff returned for a touchdown.

At this point, it seems incredibly probable that ISM will be remembered as one of the best wide receivers with Iowa football under Kirk Ferentz.

With that in mind, Iowa football is not and has not been known for its wide receivers. While ISM may break that perception, it is likely going to take more than the 42 receptions for 672 yards.

This is not meant to be an indictment on Smith-Marsette or what he has accomplished this season. This is more about the abundance of receivers in the game today and the emphasis that most other programs put on the passing game.

The competition at his position is incredibly selective.

I have not seen a single mock draft with Ihmir Smith-Marsette on it. He has the size, the speed and the strength to be successful, but he needs the statistics to support it.

Should I stay or should I go: Ihmir Smith-Marsette needs another year to compile a dominant statistical season as a wide receiver.