No. 22 — G Eric Simmons

No. 22 . . .

This might be something, it might be nothing.

Senior Eric Simmons (6-2, 295) is the guy who jumped into the lineup this spring when sophomore Sean Welsh was excused from drills for an undisclosed person reason. You look at the measureables, and you don't think Simmons is going to trade punches with 300-plus pound defensive tackles. That's where you're wrong. Simmons acquitted himself quite well in what you'd have to describe as his most important playing time since transferring from Iowa Western Community College in 2012.

This isn't to say Simmons, who's played in 15 games in his two seasons at Iowa, won every play. There was a pass protection where DT Nathan Bazata split a double team of Simmons and center Austin Blythe. Simmons saved his QB with a takedown that might've been construed as maybe a holding in a real game.

Simmons lined up across Bazata most of the spring game and held his own. Again, Simmons isn't big, but he seems strong and has the toughness. In pass protection, he showed some decent feet and read stunts between DE and DT very well.

Maybe Simmons is something or maybe he's the No. 2 center. In the spring, he was among Iowa's top 5 O-linemen. Can he stick?

That's the question . . .

And so here's offensive line coach Brian Ferentz on that very topic.

'Eric Simmons is a guy who has kind of fluctuated between guard and center [in 2014]. Is he really in the two deep?' Ferentz asked. 'We put a two deep out. He's always been in the two deep, but last year when we lost a guard, we moved Austin Blythe to guard and put Tommy Gaul in at center. Obviously, Eric wasn't in the top six or seven at that point. Well, he's been thrust into the top five now, and I think he's done pretty well. I really do.'

'I look at it and say has it hindered us developmentally? Obviously, you wish Sean was getting the reps. You wish that Ross Reynolds (who missed spring with an injury) was getting the reps, but they're not. They can't be out there. So, the guys that are getting the reps, what are they doing with them, and I think the good news is Eric has really taken advantage of the opportunity and we're really pleased with where he's at right now. Don't print all of that. He's got a long way to go.'

(The internet isn't really print, is it?)

Outlook . . .

It does sound as if Simmons at least gave coaches something to think about. It will have to start all over again in August, especially if Welsh returns re-energized and focused. Welsh won the job last year and held it until he missed spring practice. He's the incumbent. Simmons is going to have to win the job by a knockout.

If this happens, Welsh is No. 22 and Simmons is No. 46 on this list, offering position flexibility between guard and center. For now, having done some nice things in spring, here's Simmons.

Can he stick here?

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