A closer look at offensive line

Seventh in an eight-part series looking at the Iowa football team before the final spring practice Saturday.

Tomorrow: Linebackers.

FOURTH DOWN

Concerns: Iowa needs to fill both guard spots, but that's only on paper.

Nolan MacMillan started six games last fall and played well before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the season. He has dealt with a few health problems this off-season but will not have shoulder surgery. MacMillan played the first six games because Adam Gettis injured an ankle in fall camp. Gettis made two starts after MacMillan's season ended, then injured an ankle again.

If MacMillan's health clears and Gettis double tapes his ankles, Iowa has two strong candidates for the guard positions.

There are plenty of bodies behind MacMillan (6-6, 288) and Gettis (6-2, 280) who might give Ferentz and O-line coach Reese Morgan something to think about - Dan Heiar (depending on injuries in car accident), Drew Clark, Conor Boffeli, Matt Tobin, Casey McMillan, Brandon Scherff, Woody Orne, Austin Blythe and Jordan Walsh.

That's 11 capable bodies for two open spots. The O-line depth chart might be the most healthy Iowa has along with quarterback.

No concerns at tackle. Iowa will have one of the best duos - Riley Reiff and Markus Zusevics - in the Big Ten in 2011.

THIRD DOWN

Additions/subtractions: The 6-2, 300-pound Julian Vandervelde has a real shot to get drafted and maybe make a roster. Josh Koeppel finished his career with four starts. OT Kyle Haganman spent five seasons as a walk-on and butted heads with Adrian Clayborn in practices. That type of dedication, showing up to practice without the payoff of playing time, is the lifeblood of college football.

Iowa signed only three O-linemen in the 2011 class - Blythe, Heiar and Walsh.

SECOND DOWN

Battles brewing: Guard is a hot spot, but the bodies and competition there should yield contributors, even if a rotation sprouts out of this. Who shows up behind Reiff and Zusevics might be the story for the 2012 O-line.

The candidates are Andrew Donnal, Brett Van Sloten, Scherff, MacMillan, Tobin, Heiar and Walsh.

Center should be locked down the next two seasons after James Ferentz (6-2, 280) established himself with all 13 starts last season.

FIRST DOWN

Prediction for 2011: Let's take a shot at a two deep.

LT - Reiff, Donnal

LG - MacMillan, Scherff

C - Ferentz, Boffeli

RG - Gettis/Boffeli, Heiar

RT - Zusevics, Van Sloten