Iowa football releases 2023 preseason depth chart

INDIANAPOLIS — Kirk Ferentz has given a glimpse of what the 2023 Iowa football rotation might look like, albeit with a large asterisk, with the release of the preseason depth chart.

The asterisk: Ferentz’s preseason depth charts often deviate significantly from what snap counts will actually look like on Week 1.

Last year, Tyler Elsbury was the starting left guard, and Connor Colby was at right guard on the preseason depth chart. However, Elsbury only started two games at the position, and Colby was at tackle instead of guard for the first half of the season.

Ferentz said Wednesday “don’t even worry about it” when asked about details of the depth chart.

Quarterback Cade McNamara and fullback Hayden Large are the only incoming transfers to earn first-team spots on the preseason depth chart.

Linebacker Nick Jackson, right tackle Daijon Parker, tight end Erick All and right guard Rusty Feth have second-team roles. Quarterback Deacon Hill is the third-teamer behind McNamara and Music City Bowl starter Joe Labas.

Incoming wide receivers Seth Anderson and Kaleb Brown are not on the depth chart.

“I just haven’t seen Kaleb, and Seth was out basically all of spring,” Ferentz said. “Daijon — we’re out of bodies — he was out all of spring, too.”

Ferentz “would certainly expect Kaleb to be in that mix” at wide receiver by the time the season starts.

“And I wouldn’t be surprised if Seth is,” Ferentz said. “But it’s got to happen organically.”

The first-team offensive line, from left to right, lists Mason Richman, Nick DeJong, Logan Jones, Beau Stephens and Gennings Dunker. Jack Dotzler, Colby, Elsbury, Rusty Feth and Parker are the second-teamers.

“It’s probably eight, nine guys competing for a starting job,” Ferentz said. “Maybe more, who knows. We’ll see.”

Iowa’s defensive line has no surprises with Deontae Craig, Noah Shannon, Logan Lee and Joe Evans listed as the first-teamers. With Jackson on the second team for now, Kyler Fisher is the starting weakside linebacker.

Cooper DeJean and Jermari Harris are the first-team cornerbacks, and Quinn Schulte and Xavier Nwankpa are the first-team safeties. Sebastian Castro is a first-teamer at Iowa’s hybrid Cash position.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com