A Closer Look: Offensive Line

THE DEPTH CHART

LEFT TACKLE

1. Boone Myers, soph., 6-5, 300; 2. Cole Croston, jr., 6-5, 295; 3. Brett Waechter, true fr., 6-5, 275

LEFT GUARD

1. Eric Simmons, sr., 6-2, 295 OR Sean Welsh, soph., 6-3, 288; 2. James Daniels, true fr., 6-4, 285; 3. Dalton Ferguson, fr., 6-4, 307

CENTER

1. Austin Blythe, sr., 6-3, 290; 2. Simmmons OR Steve Ferentz, jr., 6-2, 278; 3. Lucas LeGrand, fr., 6-5, 280

RIGHT GUARD

1. Jordan Walsh, sr., 6-5, 290 OR Simmons OR Welsh; 2. Ryan Ward, jr., 6-5, 290 OR Mitch Keppy, jr., 6-5, 300; 3. Ross Reynolds, fr., 6-4, 300 OR Jake Newborg, true fr., 6-3, 280

RIGHT TACKLE

1. Ike Boettger, soph., 6-6, 300; 2. Keegan Render, fr., 6-4, 305; 3. Landan Paulsen, true fr., 6-5, 290

THE GUY

Senior center Austin Blythe stands the epitome of an unselfish player. He shifted to guard midway through last season, despite starting at center for 19 consecutive games. Now Blythe (6-3, 290) moves back to center, and he's looking forward to it.

'I was taking center reps last year anyway,” Blythe said. 'Not too big of a difference. But I am excited to get back there, I love that position.”

Why does he love center so much?

'I think just getting on guys as fast as possible,” Blythe said. 'I think just being able to be as explosive of a guy in the middle is big for our offensive line, and I think I do that pretty well.”

With 35 career starts (19 at center, 16 at guard) Blythe was recognized by both the Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy preseason watch lists this summer.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Iowa's depth chart never reflects the team's rotation at offensive line. Typically the Hawkeyes have a top batch of seven or so linemen ready in case someone gets hurt. That means Cole Croston, for instance, might back up both left and right tackles. Or inside, Eric Simmons might start at guard and then serve as the backup center, which brings someone else in at guard.

That was the case last year when starting guard Jordan Walsh suffered an ankle injury. Iowa chose to move center Austin Blythe to guard, and then insert Tommy Gaul in at center. Gaul played so well he started the final seven games, and Blythe played guard the rest of the season.

'We have some guys who we think are making some strides, and we're excited about that,” offensive line coach Brian Ferentz said. 'But I think we've probably got a pool of eight, nine guys that I can see playing for us on Sept. 5. We need to narrow that down to probably six or seven.”

Neither of Iowa's first-team tackles have started a game, which presents an obvious concern for everyone around the program. But players cycle out of systems each year, which Brian Ferentz calls 'just a natural part of the game.”

'At one time, Andrew Donnal hadn't started a game, Brandon Scherff hadn't started a game,” Ferentz said. 'Everyone's got to start somewhere. So we're excited about getting the right guys in those seats and moving from there. I would circle back to a year ago that there were questions about how Andrew Donnal was going to do at tackle and you've got to replace Brett Van Sloten, which is a big guy to replace. But Andrew did a good job; he's a fourth-round draft pick.”

True freshman James Daniels has taken reps with the first team at left guard this preseason. It's quite a leap because of the physicality required of offensive lineman, but the 6-4, 285-pound Daniels looks the part.

'I think his head is still spinning a little,” Blythe said. 'I remember being here my first year trying to learn this offense and it's tough. But he's a smart kid, and he's doing a really good job. Otherwise, he wouldn't be taking reps with the first team. But at the same time he's young, he's fresh out of high school. He's got to make some improvement, just like we all do.”

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com