Iowa's 2006 class is in with 11 starters in '10

This post stems from a comment made in the Riley McMinn story.

The question was how do the last two classes stack up with the current juniors and seniors? That's a toughie, unless you're way into the star system and I'm not. I recognize there is some value in the stars, but I don't believe they are a complete predictor of future success. I know, nothing really is. So, let's look at the classes and how the current starting lineup is comprised.

2006 -- A very good year

This class could have nine starters in the lineup next fall, which is really impressive considering that there were only 18 recruits to begin with. This group had a fair share of high-profile washouts (Dominique Douglas, ArvellNelson, Anthony Bowman, James Cleveland), but the high-profile starters it produced far outweighs the chaff. This class also included A.J. Edds, who's now a Dolphin.

Center Josh Koeppel is on scholarship and a fifth-year senior, so he's counted in the class. He could be starter No. 8. If kicker Daniel Murray holds on to the job, he's No. 9. He is on scholarship.

EDIT: Add wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and guard Julian Vandervelde to this list as Nos. 10 and 11. Big16Fan pointed it out below. The players who were originally slated to come in as grayshirts -- Vandervelde, RB Adam Robinson and DE Dominic Alvis -- are not included here. DJK was a late schollie, accepted sometime in late summer before the Big Ten meetings (remember, Herbstreit hyped him up). Will fix. So, add DJK and Vandervelde as Nos. 10 and 11 from this class, which makes the '06 class galactically good and, maybe, Ferentz's best at Iowa.

Starters

DE Adrian Clayborn

P Ryan Donahue

LB Jeremiha Hunter

WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos

DT Karl Klug

C Josh Koeppel

FB Brett Morse

K Daniel Murray

QB Richard Stanzi (this is how Iowa listed him back then)

LB Jeff Tarpinian

G Julian Vandervelde

Reserves

WR Paul Chaney Jr.

LB Troy Johnson (could start eventually)

LB Lance Tillison

Eleven starters

2007 -- Another very productive year

The 2010 season is sort of an unveiling for the 2007 class.

You already know about safety Tyler Sash, defensive tackle Christian Ballard, defensive end Broderick Binns and wide receiver Marvin McNutt. You also knew about and said an early goodbye to offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga.

This is the year several members of this class step into the starting lineup, most notably right offensive tackle Markus Zusevics, who signed as a 6-5, 240-pounder. This fall, he's 285 and expected to take over for three-year starter Kyle Calloway, who's now a Bill.

Guard Adam Gettis and outside linebacker Tyler Nielsen are in the same boat. Gettis takes over for Dace Richardson, who'll likely end up in an NFL camp this fall. Nielsen steps in for Edds.

This class, which also had high-profile legal issues that now are long gone, could potentially kick up nine starters this fall, plus five high-profile reserves who may end up being starters at some point.

Starters

DT Christian Ballard

DE Broderick Binns

G Adam Gettis

WR Marvin McNutt

LB Tyler Nielsen

TE Allen Reisner

WR Colin Sandeman (counted as starter, punt return)

SS Tyler Sash

OT Markus Zusevics

Reserves

CB Jordan Bernstine (could start)

DE Lebron Daniel (will start, maybe two games pending Binns' suspension for OWI)

DT Mike Daniels (could start on nearly any other D-line in the Big Ten)

LB Bruce Davis

G Cody Hundertmark (could win guard over Gettis)

Nine starters, counting Sandeman

2008 -- Better than you'd think

These are redshirt sophomores and juniors. Let's face it, some players by this time see the writing on the wall and leave. This class has had more than its share of that, with five such departures (safety David Cato and running back Jeff Brinson leading that charge). It also had one player who never made it on campus (David Blackwell) and two academic casualties (Khalif Staten and Shane Prater).

Two defensive linemen, Steve Bigach and Joe Gaglione, have had their careers stalled because of injury.

With all that, this class could still contribute five starters this fall, includling left offensive tackle Riley Reiff and cornerback Shaun Prater.

The "could" parts are still up in the air. James Ferentz has a shot at center. Kicker Trent Mossbrucker made strides with leg strength during the offseason and was the better kicker head-to-head against Murray. That was just one look at the kickers, and coach Kirk Ferentz  is looking for improvement.

Mark down running back Jewel Hampton as another "could." Obviously, he has some offseason stuff that might dent the beginning of his 2010, but he's in the mix with Brandon Wegher and Adam Robinson.

EDIT: Add running back Adam Robinson. He was originally supposed to come in as a grayshirt, so he wasn't included on Iowa's orginal list of '08 recruits. He's a "could," also.

Rivals had this class ranked 54th; Scout had it 42nd. I don't know why I wrote that down back then, but I did.

Starters

OT Riley Reiff

CB Shaun Prater

Possible starters

C James Ferentz

K Trent Mossbrucker

RB Jewel Hampton

RB Adam Robinson

Reserves

CB Greg Castillo

TE Brad Herman

CB William Lowe

FS Jack Swanson

QB James Vandenberg

QB John Wienke

Two starters and maybe up to five

2009 -- C'mon, only redshirt frosh and sophs

Right now, this class has one starter (CB Micah Hyde), one possible starter/definite contributor (RB Brandon Wegher) and two possible contributors (WR Keenan Davis and OT Nolan MacMillan).

No need to sound the alarm. We're talking about redshirt freshman and sophomores. The heat comes in year three.

That said, it's not good that this class has already had five defections (Tyler Harrell, Matt Murphy, Stephane N'Goumou, Josh Brown and Anthony Schiavone). All different circumstances, but that's a big hit in one year. Margin for error decreased.

I think one O-linemen from this class sees time at some point this year. MacMillan is the best candidate, but OT Brett Van Sloten made the final spring two deep. C Conor Boffeli was listed as No. 3 center, too. Guard Drew Clark began the spring session on the depth chart.

LB Shane DiBona has a good shot at some special teams. Defensive coordinator Norm Parker likes DE Dominic Alvis, who missed a lot of spring with a groin injury. He could see some time somewhere on special teams.

Starters

CB Micah Hyde

Possible starters

RB Brandon Wegher

Reserves

DE Dominic Alvis

WR Keenan Davis

C Conor Boffeli

G Drew Clark

WR Jordan Cotton

LB Shane DiBona

OT Nolan MacMillan

RB Brad Rogers

OT Brett Van Sloten

One starter, one possible starter

2010 -- Let's allow them to unpack

Way too early for any starter pronouncements here, but there are definitely a few candidates for the redshirt toss.

Tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz will get a good long look. Ferentz wants a solid No. 2 TE. No reason to believe Fiedorowicz won't be in the running. Linebacker James Morris has a shot at some special teams and some depth play, but he also could very well stay redshirted.

Safeties Anthony Hitchens and Tanner Miller might have a shot at depth chart. Safety depth is thin.

By the way, I believe it was HawkeyeReport.com that reported Don Shumpert, previously a free safety prospect, will be brought in as a wide receiver.

I was going to throw a long one here and make a prediction on someone playing safety, but it'd just be a goofball guess, which is what most of this blog is anyway, one could argue.

Possible contributors

TE C.J. Fiedorowicz

RB Marcus Coker (still think he redshirts, but always a chance)

S Anthony Hitchens

S Tanner Miller

LB James Morris