A lot of unknowns at TE

Kirk Ferentz brought it up unprompted, so you know the tight end position is somewhere on his mind.

In the middle of a thought on the offensive line, Ferentz talked a little tight end.

"And I think our offensive line, we probably have eight or nine guys competing for the top spots," he said. "It's going to be interesting, and we're equally interested to see who's going to emerge behind Reisner at tight end. We would prefer to play at least a couple guys out of the gate, capable of having two ends out there; whether or not we have that luxury or not, we'll see."

Reisner is the given.

He'll go into his senior season with 27 career catches for 374 yards and two TDs. He's been the No.2 TE for most of the last two seasons. In 2008, Iowa had Brandon Myers and Tony Moeaki, who spent most of that season injured. Last year, it was Moeaki and then Reisner.

This year, Reisner has dibs on the top spot, which, going back the last six seasons, ranges from 21 catches to 47.

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Iowa No. 1 TEs

2009 -- Tony Moeaki 30 catches, 387 yards and four TDs

2008 -- Brandon Myers 34-441 4 TDs

2007 -- Myers 21-208 5 TDs

2006 -- Scott Chandler 46-591 6 TDs

2005 -- Chandler 47-552 2 TDs

2004 -- Chandler 24-324 2 TDs

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The average for Iowa's No. 1 TE is 33.7 receptions and 417.7 yards, thanks to a couple giant years by Scott Chandler.

That's what's ahead, presumably, for Reisner, a 6-3, 248-pounder.

Now, after Reisner, it gets a little fuzzy, and that's what Ferentz was talking about when spring practice opened.

On the subject of depth, Ferentz went right to the tight end spot.

"Tight end is a good example," he said. "Last year we had two guys who were Big Ten starters (Moeaki and Reisner) and right now we've got one. So, it's an illustration and we're not sure where we are at after the first guy, and that's going to be a real focus, how that shakes out this spring.

"We have got guys who are willing and I think very able, but they have got to do it and demonstrate it now, and that's what we haven't seen over a prolonged period, instead of just flash."

Junior Brad Herman (6-5, 247) is a prime candidate for the No. 2 TE, which, historically in Ferentz's offense, has landed between 10 and 20 receptions. Herman has had a quiet career so far, with just one reception, but he's highly regarded.

After Reisner and Herman, Iowa has five more scholarship TEs: Jonathan Gimm (6-3, 240 soph.), Zach Furlong (6-5, 248 junior), Dakota Getz (6-4, 230 frosh), J.D. Griggs (6-5, 260) and C.J. Fiedorowicz (6-7, 250 frosh). Incoming freshman Austin Vier (6-7, 230) could eventually end up here, too.

(Extensive breakdown of the TEs here.)

"It's an unknown," Ferentz said. "I can give you all the names right now. Herman is there right now. Griggs, Jonathan Gimm is still at tight end (he played some fullback last season), and Dakota Getz as a redshirt freshman. We have a nice pool of guys.

"I could say the same thing for our defensive line backups outside of Mike Daniels. To me, he could start for us right now and LeBron has really made a nice move for us. The way they have progressed is what we need our tight ends to do. Daniels and Daniel are good examples of what we are hoping to see from our tight ends this spring."

When asked directly about the tight ends, Ferentz changed the subject to the D-line, for the most part. So, it's a position in need of a few answers.

Fiedorowicz (signing day story here) could bring some depth rather quickly.

He had 44 career TD receptions for Johnsburg (Ill.), one off the state record. As a senior, he caught 44 passes for 921 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also was a standout linebacker and safety. He was offered a scholarship by Wisconsin and Indiana for basketball. He qualified for the finals of the state track meet on a sprint relay team. If his speed and strength are where they need to be, Fiedorowicz will have a shot at No. 2 TE, at the minimum.

His performance in fall camp will dictate his shot at PT as a true freshman.

That's as unknown as it gets, a true freshman in the mix and not on campus until a month before the season starts.