The Depth Chart — Wide receivers

THE DEPTH CHART

SPLIT END

1. Tevaun Smith, jr., 6-2, 200; 2. Derrick Willies, r-fr., 6-4, 210

SLOT WIDE RECEIVER

1. Kevonte Martin-Manley, sr., 6-0, 205; 2. Matt VandeBerg, so., 6-1, 175; 3. Andre Harris, r-fr., 6-0, 180

WIDE RECEIVER

1. Jacob Hillyer, jr., 6-4, 208; 2. Damond Powell, sr., 5-11, 180; 3. Derrick Mitchell Jr., r-fr. 6-1, 205

THE REST

Jay Scheel, fr., 6-1, 180; Riley McCarron, so., 5-9, 185; Trev Hadachek, r-fr., 5-11, 180; Connor Keane, r-fr., 6-1, 190; Andrew Stone, sr., 5-11, 175; Drew Zaun, sr., 6-0, 185; Brandon Bishop, fr., 5-9, 160

THE GUY

Senior Kevonte Martin-Manley is a strong WR who excels in route running and working in traffic.

The Detroit native has led the Hawkeyes in receiving each of the last two seasons, which is saying something. You've seen Iowa's offense transition from Ken O'Keefe's passing schemes to Greg Davis'. The results haven't always been pretty. There has been progress and this is an important year in that regard.

'The best thing you can say about Kevonte is that he is a relentless worker, and so I do think the game slowed down for him,” wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy said. 'But what I always tell him is I don't know if players always want to hear this, but the thing that makes him good is what he does Monday through Friday because he works so hard. He's a great leader for our group. I talked to the younger guys about you should watch the way that guy works, watch the way that guy competes, and not only does he work but he's a great competitor, too. So he's more comfortable. I think he's starting to see the game a little better.”

He needs 51 catches to tie Derrell Johnson-Koulianos' career record 173. Martin-Manley caught 50 passes in 2012, so it's within the realm of possibility, but then only four Iowa receivers have caught 50-plus passes in the last seven seasons.

THE OTHER GUY

Junior Tevaun Smith, from Toronto, Ontario, really looks the part of a Big Ten wide receiver. He stands 6-2 and weighs 200 pounds. He's also one of the fastest Hawkeyes and he'll go into the season with some big plays on his resume. In week 2 last year at Iowa State, Smith caught as a 25-yard pass near ISU's goal line and set up an Iowa TD. From there, he gradually built on what became a semi-breakout season. He caught 24 passes for 312 yards and a TD. In what could be considered Iowa's biggest victory of the season, Smith's 55-yard TD reception early in the second half helped the Hawkeyes overcome a 21-7 halftime deficit for a victory over Michigan.

He finished the season as the Hawkeyes No. 2 receiver (24 catches, 310 yards, TD). Smith put up some numbers and built a foundation for what could be an interesting 2014.

THE NEW GUYS

Iowa has invested six scholarships in the wide receiver position the last two seasons. Sophomore Matt VandeBerg played last year as a true freshman (eight catches, 59 yards). Derrick Willies, Derrick Mitchell Jr. and Andre Harris red-shirted in 2013. This group is expected to push starters and, maybe, push the Iowa wide receiver group to the point it can be considered a threat.

That's what second-year wide receiver coach Bobby Kennedy wants. That's what everyone remotely connected to the Iowa program wants, an efficient passing game that's capable of making the occasional big play.

'This group is really hungry, they're hungry to be a bigger part of the offense,” said Kennedy, who worked seven seasons in Texas as wide receiver coach under Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis. 'It reminds me of my second year at Texas. That group had maybe been an undervalued group. In year 2, they took another step. I'm looking for progress. Down the stretch [last year], we could see some improvement. Sometimes it's baby steps, but I do see them as a positive group and moving in the right direction.”

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com