On line -- DT Donavan Johnson

Iowa's D-line is obviously in transition. Opportunity is everywhere.

The spring two deeps ended with five new names in it, including ends Dominic Alvis and Joe Forgy and tackles Mike Hardy and Cole Heissel, a walk-on redshirt freshman.

There's so much opportunity that any rep -- from a one-on-one with a live OL to a tackling drill -- should be treated like a spot on "American Idol." It's your one chance to show coaches that 1) you're serious and 2) you can do this.

That's why every practice is on video and studied. With every rep a gold doubloon, that's going to make it difficult for redshirts, walk-ons and down the line to show they're serious and that they can do this.

Check this video from the final spring workout. There's a definite pecking order for opportunity. Going off this, defensive tackle Donavan Johnson (6-3, 270) is going to need to make the most of it.

Three most interesting bio items a year in . . . 1) Earned three varsity letters as defensive and offensive lineman . . . 2) member of prep team that advanced to state playoffs in each of his three seasons . . . 3) team captain as a senior.

Key quote . . . Kirk Ferentz on where Johnson could fit in among Iowa's five D-line recruits in the '10 class: “Donavan Johnson, Mike Hardy are guys I think that are going to grow, they have great growth potential. We're excited about that. Good movement.

“As far as inside and outside, we'll wait and see. I thought for sure (Karl) Klug was going to be an outside guy. And that shows you what I know. We just threw him inside one day by accident because we had some guys injured and, boy, he had a really good knack for it.

“So, there's a guy who is a two-star recruit that probably played maybe half a step behind Clayborn. If you watch a game tape from the bowl game. Adrian played a great game and Karl Klug was right behind him.

“We're anxious to get these guys on campus. We're going to need some help. I know that. Because we're really top-heavy at that position.”

Standing after spring . . . From the limited exposure to him during spring, Johnson seems to have a knack for leverage and can get under an OL's pads and penetrate. He also sometimes stops moving his feet and gets pushed off the line of scrimmage.

Davis remains in project mode. His biggest contributions in '11 could be building his body for a serious depth chart push in 2012.