A closer look at running backs

Third in an eight-part series looking at the Iowa football team before the final spring practice April 16.

Tomorrow: Defensive backs.

FOURTH DOWN

Concerns: Depth and youth, but first let's start with who's here - Marcus Coker, De'Andre Johnson, Rodney Coe, Mika'il McCall, Jordan Canzeri, Damon Bullock, Jason White and Ellis Jordan.

So, next fall, Iowa will have a semi-proven back in Coker, who rushed for 35 percent of his yards (219) as a true freshman in one game against Missouri. Then, fullback Brad Rogers and his 11 carries. And then there's White and his one carry for 14 yards against Eastern Illinois.

The depth chart behind Coker is Johnson and then three brand-new freshmen. The alarms have sounded in each of the last two seasons when Iowa has had to dip into true freshmen running backs, but somehow, some way, things have worked out.

Depth and youth are concerns, but this is nothing Iowa hasn't seen before.

THIRD DOWN

Additions/subtractions: The departure that has kept our attention is Adam Robinson.

Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz did say “never say never,” but he also said Robinson didn't contact him before or after the news conference he had in Des Moines announcing his desire to return. Does that sound like someone who thinks they have a chance to return to the team?

Iowa's running back depth chart is like a line change in hockey, three out and three in. Well, maybe more than that.

Coe, McCall, Canzeri and Bullock will join the chase this fall.

Coe was a player everyone wanted, but he lined up as a linebacker in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Is he long for running back?

“You know, if he can hold at that area, 250, 255, maybe - but if he outgrows it that won't be a bad thing, but our intentions are to play him at running back and we have shared that with him and we are excited about that,” Ferentz said. “We think he's a good running back.”

McCall might be the next frosh RB who's FBS-ready. He's legit 6-0, 215.

SECOND DOWN

Battles brewing: We can all agree Coker is No. 1. He will wear the belt going into fall camp and should emerge as the starter. Of course, Coker suffered a broken collarbone in camp last August, which kept him out of the mix until Iowa absolutely needed him.

But 219 yards and two TDs (and a 62-yard run) puts him in first place at this point and time. After Coker is where the questions start.

This spring, you'll probably see a lot of Johnson, who was coming off an ACL repair when he arrived in Iowa City last summer. He's more than a year removed from surgery, so that's in the rear view.

The next tier will be decided in fall camp when Bullock, Canzeri, Coe and McCall arrive. Expect one or two of them to blow through their red-shirts.

FIRST DOWN

Prediction for 2011: Coker will rush for 1,200 yards and 10 TDs.

Factors that could unplug that prediction:

1) Health has been a major factor at Iowa running back and could likely be again this season. Coker takes on contact well, but he does run a little tall.

2) How proven is Coker? Yes, he wowed everyone at Iowa in the Insight. His last carry before the bowl, though, was a fumble that killed the Hawkeyes in a loss at Minnesota.