The few, the proud, the class of '05

 Last year, the word "bust" was attached to Iowa's 2005 recruiting class.

Several highly touted recruits flamed out. A few guys bolted Iowa City with homesickness. Injuries also took a toll.

Quarterback Jake Christensen, who transferred, had just lost his starting job to an upstart sophomore. Tight end Tony Moeaki was hurt - again. Offensive lineman Dace Richardson's career was in serious doubt after two years of knee troubles.

Last season, the ‘05 class has just two starters among Iowa's 24 regulars, including kickers and punters.

“Bust” seemed appropriate. Time was running out on this group to . . . matter, do anything, contribute. Forget living up to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl monster-hype that the ‘05 class attracted when they signed with the Hawkeyes.

But wait.

That sound you hear is the ‘05 class blowing dirt out of its collective nose. Don't bury them, not yet.

Going into the No. 7 Hawkeyes (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten) matchup at Michigan State (4-3, 3-1) on Saturday night, the ‘05 class has six starters in the lineup, the second most out of the five recruiting classes that comprise the 2010 Hawkeyes.

Last year, linebacker Pat Angerer and offensive tackle Kyle Calloway were it. This year, Moeaki, Richardson, center Rafael Eubanks and wide receiver Trey Stross have mattered, done a lot and have made major contributions for the Big Ten's highest-ranked team.

“It's a long race,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday. “It's like a season, judge it when it's over. I think in fairness to everyone involved that's what you do. You have to be careful not to be too quick to judge anything.”

Just a year after being buried, the ‘05 class has produced the Big Ten's top tight end (Moeaki), three starting O-linemen (Eubanks, Richardson and Calloway) and the team's second-leading receiver (Stross). And don't forget the leading tackler and emotional core of the defense (Angerer).

When the 2005 question came up Tuesday, Eubanks smiled.

“It's funny my dad (Don) made a comment to me the other day about it,” Eubanks said. “We came in and there were a lot of expectations for that class. Whether or not all that stuff was warranted really doesn't matter at this point. We just hope we can go out on top or with a bang and leave a legacy.”

Broken down by class, the 2006 group boasts the most with 11, including quarterback Ricky Stanzi, defensive end Adrian Clayborn. wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and cornerback Amari Spievey. The 2007 class has four starters, including offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga and safety Tyler Sash. Offensive lineman Riley Reiff, running back Adam Robinson and corner Shaun Prater are the three from the 2008 class. The 2009 class (true freshmen) has no starters.

The 2005 group compares favorably to the nine starters the 2004 fifth-year senior produced last season.

It's just been a rough road for the few, the proud, the 2005 class.

Richardson made it back from two years off with knee realignment surgery. Stress is healthy after two years of hamstring problems. Eubanks has re-emerged after getting beat out last season. Of course, Moeaki's career has been severely dented by injuries, missing 15 games.

They're healthy and they're contributing. They're not dead yet.

“It's been a different path,” said Moeaki, who leads the Hawkeyes with 20 receptions and four receiving TDs. “So, it's been nice to be back on the field together.”

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Class of '05

(Here's the list of Iowa football football recruits presented on Feb. 2, 2005.)

LB Pat Angerer -- Two-year starter at linebacker. He's good.

FB Kalvin Bailey -- Left Iowa because of academic problems. He tried some California jucos but appears to be out of football now.

DT Ryan Bain -- Transferred to Akron. He's played in one game for the Zips this season and has no stats.

DL Tyler Blum -- Graduated (back injury hampered his career, which was mostly special teams). He was reportedly going to give baseball a try.

RB Dana Brown -- Dismissed following 2007 domestic assault charge. He has rushed for 249 yards for Youngstown State this season.

OL Kyle Calloway -- Three-year starter at right offensive tackle. A probable NFL draft pick.

QB Jake Christensen -- Transferred to Eastern Illinois after last season. He's completed 63 percent of his passes with 12 TDs and six interceptions. EIU is 5-2 this season.

DL Justin Collins -- Collins left school in '06 for unknown reasons (homesickness, I believe).

OL Dan Doering -- A backup guard with one start this season.

DB Justin Edwards -- Transferred to an Arizona juco before signing with North Texas. He never made it to UNT. 

C Rafael Eubanks -- Reclaimed starting center after being beat out last season. Has 32 career starts.

DT Vernon Jackson -- Suffered career-ending knee injury. Enrolled in a Jacksonville, Fla., law school recently.

OL Alex Kanellis -- Concussions ended his career prior to the 2007 season. He's an assistant on Marv Cook's staff at Iowa City Regina.

OL Andy Kuempel -- He hasn't cracked the starting OL this season, but he's now wearing No. 90 and contributing as a No. 3 TE in running situations.

TE Tony Moeaki -- He's Iowa's leading receiver with a career-high 20 catches this season. Could be all-Big Ten. Could have a future in the NFL if he stays healthy.

OL Dace Richardson -- He made it back from two years of knee problems and is starting at right guard. Last year at this time, coach Kirk Ferentz believed there was a small percentage of a chance of him resuming his career.

RB Corey Robertson -- Left Iowa with academic problems. He's a junior defensive back at Texas A&M-Kingsville this season.

DB Chris Rowell -- Has never cracked the lineup as a starter, but has contributed as a special teamer the last two seasons.

WR Trey Stross -- After basically losing two seasons with hamstring problems, Stross is Iowa's No. 2 receiver with a career-best 19 receptions.  

LB B.J. Travers -- Left the team in '06 for unknown reasons. Highly recruited.

DB Marcus Wilson -- Left Iowa in '07 with academic issues. He's listed as a junior free safety at Wesley College.

OL Marshal Yanda -- He transferred to Iowa from NIACC and is now in his third year with the

Baltimore Ravens.