Derby to LB? Let's see what happens

Maybe it was watching Northwestern that hatched the idea of getting athletes on the field.

You saw NU's Kain Colter rush for 76 yards, pass for 44 and catch six passes for another 71 yards. He lined up at QB, RB, WR and earlier this season played some safety for the Wildcats.

Pat Fitzgerald runs an organization that throws all hands on deck. Before he became a sensation at QB, Dan Persa played special teams for NU. Fitzgerald has to work it that way. He has to maximize his best athletes.

Maybe this had nothing to do with Iowa's A.J. Derby and his potential move to linebacker, which might've happened during Tuesday's practice. It's a potential move. No one has visual evidence. Kirk Ferentz didn't confirm or deny during his radio show Wednesday night.

"A.J. is a guy [who] can play several positions,” Ferentz said. “At the end of the day, we want to put him where he'll help the team.”

Could be seeing Northwestern maximize athletes. Or it could be that Derby's two-game suspension opened to the door to some real thought on the subject. Derby was suspended for two games after an arrest for public intoxication and fourth-degree criminal mischief on Oct. 1, the Saturday of Iowa's idle week.

The mischief charge stemmed from Derby punching and breaking a window on a bus. He has pleaded not guilty with a bench trial scheduled for Dec. 2.

Iowa has a freshman quarterback it likes in Jake Rudock, a 6-3, 185-pounder from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Iowa beat Wisconsin for him at first and then Miami (Fla.) made a serious late run. Out of necessity, Derby's suspension raised Rudock's profile within the walls (fence and tarp) of the Kenyon Practice Facility.

Before the bus and the mugshot that left even more questions, Derby was the No. 2 QB. Junior John Wienke got those reps. Rudock soaked up the No. 3 reps. It's probably safe to assume Iowa coaches got their first solid look at Rudock since August camp.

Derby came off the suspension this week. Ferentz was asked Tuesday if Derby would return to the No. 2 QB.

"We'll see how it goes this week, but he's back with us full speed,” Ferentz said, who also praised Derby's scout-team effort.

"He did a really job the last two weeks," Ferentz said. "In fact, he was one of the guys running around and throwing the ball against our defense, sometimes too good of a job.

"So we'll see."

Derby could've been told that the coaches liked what they saw from Rudock. That might've been enough to push Derby toward linebacker. Or who knows.

It might not have anything to do with maximizing athletes. But along those lines, Rudock is 185 and is built for QB and QB only. Derby is a strapping 6-4, 232. He's athletic enough to play several positions. At Iowa City High, he was an all-state QB who was often called upon on defense to harass the quarterback or patrol the secondary.

The sights could be set on the leo linebacker (strongside) position. Iowa has had a couple terrific 6-4, 235 pounders at that position the last four seasons (A.J. Edds and Tyler Nielsen). (I think Derby would make a fantastic DE. It would take some work to get there, but he's built like an Aaron Kampman starter kit.)

Immediately, this move wouldn't bring any relief to the beleaguered linebacker position at Iowa. Nielsen (hand surgery), James Morris (ankle), Anthony Hitchens (knee) should play this week, but they're trying to keep it together physically.

Where it would provide immediate help is special teams. Derby would inject kick coverage with a potential impact player, someone who breaks blocks and either funnels or tackles the ball carrier. He probably also would make a nice fit on punt team.

This is something Ferentz alluded to during the spring when asked when the Derby/position change questions might go away.

“Probably start,” Ferentz deadpanned. “Until then, we'll probably be speculating and all that kind of stuff. We see him as a quarterback and that's what he sees himself as and we're on board with that 100 percent.”

Earlier in the spring, Ferentz said the staff had approached Derby about playing special teams. It's something Ferentz said they'd consider. Clearly, there's a need on special teams.

“Just looking at him, he is a good athlete who I think could play other positions, certainly,” Ferentz said. “That might be a decision we'll have to discuss. Last year, I think he could've been a good special teams player for us, but he was redshirting and that was the wise thing to do. Next year, it might be a discussion."

“Now, if he is the No. 2 guy, do you run that risk? All those things you've got to talk about, we'll see.”

I wonder if the discussion ever stopped.