The Sports Desk -- Iowa OL poised for goodness (maybe greatness, it's early)

There hasn't been a lot of examination on Iowa's O-line this spring. That's probably a good thing.

While the defensive line goes through TSA full service, the O-line has waltzed through the security line. This is what happens when you have three returning starters, including all-Big Ten-caliber left tackle Riley Reiff, a sturdy center in James Ferentz and right tackle Markus Zusevics, who held his own in his first season as a starter last year.

And then the guards, senior Adam Gettis and sophomore Nolan MacMillan, started seven games between them in '10 before injuries shelved them. Gettis has been holding steady at one guard this spring. MacMillan has sat out nursing health and injuries.

Redshirt freshman Brandon Scherff has stepped in for MacMillan. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder looks the part. He could be shaping into the next left tackle, eventually. Remember, Bryan Bulaga started at guard as a freshman before moving to left tackle. If you don't believe Reiff won't at least be tempted by the NFL next season, let me introduce you to money. Zusevics is a fifth-year. So, you're tackles in 2011 could very well be Scherff and . . . MacMillan or Brett Van Sloten. And if you don't think Ferentz has thought that far ahead, let me introduce you to Ferentz.

After Reiff, Zusevics, Ferentz, Gettis and Scherff/MacMillan, I'm not sure how much deeper the Hawkeyes will be forced to go. I think Conor Boffeli is ready to play, but he seems slotted at center. Van Sloten probably isn't far off, either. Andrew Donnal is a future tackle, but when does that future start.

OK, we pretty much know the OL for 2011. Let's move on to 2012. Why not? If you don't think Ferentz has . . . never mind. You know where I'm going.

LT -- Scherff (so)

LG -- MacMillan (jun)

C -- Ferentz (sen)

RG -- Boffeli (jun)

RT -- Van Sloten (jun)

And then 2013 . . .

LT -- Scherff (jun)*

LG -- MacMillan (sen)

C -- Boffeli (sen)

RG -- Walsh (soph)

RT -- Van Sloten (sen)

And then 2014 . . .

LT -- Donnal (sen)

LG -- Mitch Keppy (soph)

C -- Blythe (jun)

RG -- Walsh (jun)

RT -- Jordan Diamond (redshirt frosh)**

OK, while you talk about how far-fetched looking to the starting OL for 2014, please watch today's Sports Desk (sponsored by Jim Miller Subaru).

Click this link, where the focus is squarely on Hawkeye OL 2011.

* -- Last season, early NFL draft. (You do realize this is pure speculation, just for fun. But are all of Iowa's left tackles since Gallery in 2004 in the NFL? No, the 2004 guy, Lee Gray, isn't and 2007's Kyle Calloway was drafted but didn't stick, but 2005-06 Marshal Yanda and 2008-09 Bulaga are in. That's three of the last five and, with Reiff, probably four of the last six in the league.)

** -- I have no inside info, just guessing on Diamond.