Hello, my name is...the links

Here are the links to the “Hello, my name is . . .” series. Sorry this took a little longer than I wanted, with the coaching news and recruiting rules and what-not jumping ahead of it in line.

I'd like to thank assistant D-line coach/recruiting coordinator Eric Johnson for the interview he gave on signing day. His insight here is much appreciated.

Same for Rivals.com's Josh Helmholdt, the site's midwest recruiting analyst. Rivals does homework and I respect that. I would, of course, also like to thank HawkeyeReport's Tom Kakert and Blair Sanderson. They work like crazy on this stuff. And it's not easy. I feel like I owe HR.com a bunch of chats.

And thank you for reading!

This is the fifth year I've done these. I've included links from the previous four, so this will be a complete picture of the five recruiting classes that will make up the 2013 Hawkeyes.

What did we learn?

Nathan Bazata

“I love wrestlers in that defensive tackle spot, because they understand leverage, they understand how to move their opponent, they understand pad level. There's a lot of that in wrestling. I think a defensive tackle with a wrestling background has a definite advantage.” -- Josh Helmholdt.

Ike Boettger

“There's always wiggle room, but right now, we're recruiting him as a tight end.” -- Eric Johnson

LeShun Daniels

“When you look at the issues Iowa has had the last few years with injuries and defections, they just need to stockpile running backs. It seems anyone they stockpile into that role has success." -- Josh Helmholdt

Colin Goebel

“The biggest thing with offensive linemen, arm span only gets used if you get out-leveraged on the edge. As long as you move your feet and stay in front of the guy, you don't need 8-foot arms, because you're not reaching for anything.” -- Eric Johnson

Brant Gressel

"I would say he's probably not as athletic as a [Nathan] Bazata, but might come in a little more seasoned because he played a little higher level." -- Josh Helmholdt

Andre Harris

"He's one of those guys who can move around and make guys miss in space. When you're putting him in the slot, you can isolate him against a linebacker and do some of those inside routes that our offense likes to do. He showed some physicality on defense. You see the toughness on defense that tells you he's not scared to go across the middle." -- Eric Johnson

Josey Jewell

I always tell fans that you have to trust your coaches. Not only do they know they're scheme, but they also know their coaching staff and what they can get out of kids and what kids respond to their coaching staff. Josey is a guy the coaching staff looked at and said, ‘This is a guy we feel we can develop for our program." -- Josh Helmholdt

A.J. Jones

“He's a lot faster than people give him credit for. I think he's been timed in the 4.4s electronically. He's a big, long kid. We really feel, and if you talk to his high school coach, his best football is all in front of him. He's really a raw kid from a wide receiver standpoint. We know there's going to be a little bit of development there, but he's got a great attitude and a great family." -- Eric Johnson

John Kenny

"I always continue to research my guys after the fact [commitment], not only talking to his high school coach but also asking coaches in the area. There were a lot of guys in the area who thought he was the best player in Indianapolis." -- Eric Johnson

Desmond King

"You can't fake 29 interceptions. That's an outstanding number. It really speaks to just his feel for the position, his knack in pass coverage and I do think he is a great, late pickup for the Hawkeyes.” -- Josh Helmholdt

Derrick Mitchell

"Again, he's another one of those guys we think a lot of his best football is in front of him. He does multiple sports with football, track, baseball and basketball. He's a four-sport kid. He hasn't even seen the weightroom yet and he's 190 pounds (6-1, 190)." -- Eric Johnson

Jonathan Parker

"He [Parker] was one of those kids when it came down to it offensively, the offensive staff, when they asked themselves if they wanted to take another wide receiver or running back, it didn't matter what they said they wanted to take, he was always in the discussion as the top prospect we needed." -- Eric Johnson

Damond Powell

“He has legitimate speed. We're just trying to extend plays with speed and athleticism. We think he brings that.” -- Eric Johnson

Malik Rucker

"I think he could be the one guy in this class that we're talking about the most in the next three, four, five years down the road. Him and Jon Wisnieski. I think those two guys have a chance to be really stand out talents, all-Big Ten players down the road." -- Josh Helmholdt

Nic Shimonek

“He was a guy Greg [OC Greg Davis] has personally seen throw a bunch of times. Greg feels so strongly about him and has evaluated him so thoroughly, he was really the quarterback Greg wanted and we were able to get him. He's a good athlete." -- Eric Johnson

Reggie Spearman

“He's a young kid, too. He's only 16-years-old right now. He's got a lot of growth and will be able to mature a lot more from a physical standpoint.” -- Eric Johnson

Akrum Wadley

"Frank Verducci, the long-time coach, Andre Tippett's coach, Frank had four guys come out here from high school that ended up being captains here. When he called, that kind of got our attention because I think he really understands what it takes to leave home and be successful." -- Kirk Ferentz

Solomon Warfield

"Solomon Warfield is a head hunter. He's the strong safety to Malik Rucker's free safety. And I think those two complement each other extremely well in this class." -- Josh Helmholdt

Sean Welsh

"He's a very strong guy. He's the big, ugly kind. He's going to battle with defensive tackles. His jersey is going to be dirty and muddy and bloody by the end of the day. He's an interior bruiser.” -- Josh Helmholdt

Derrick Willies

"He's a guy who could have a wide range of expected contribution over there at Iowa. He's one who has the size and skill set.” -- Josh Helmholdt

Jon Wisnieski

"He's one I wish I would've been able to see in person a little bit more toward the end of his process, because if there's one player in this class that I'm a little worried about being too low, it's Jon Wisnieski." -- Josh Helmholdt

Here is the link to the "Hello, my name is . . ." series for the 2012 class.

Here is the link to the “Ferentz on” series for the 2011 class.

Here is the link to the “Ferentz on” series for the 2010 class.

Here is the link to the “Ferentz on” series for the 2009 class.

This is the roster (minus walk ons) that will be in camp next August.

K Alden Haffar (5-10, 213) - West Des Moines, IA (Iowa Central CC)

WR Andrew Stone (5-10, 175) - Cedar Falls, IA (Iowa Western CC)

LS Tyler Kluver (6-0, 220) - Marshalltown, IA (Marshalltown HS)

DL Corbin Blythe (6-1, 235) - Williamsburg, IA (Williamsburg HS)

OL Boone Myers (6-5, 255) - Webster City, IA (Webster City HS)

LB Chad Gilson (6-0, 223) - Urbandale, IA (UNI transfer)

LB Drake Kulick (6-2, 205) - Muscatine, IA (Muscatine HS)

WR Connor Keane (6-1, 185) - St. Paul, MN (Cretin-Derham Hall)

S Paul Brown (5-10, 190) - Spirit Lake, IA (Spirit Lake HS)

LB Bo Bower (6-2, 208) - West Branch, IA (West Branch HS)

DE Jake Hulett (6-3, 235) - Springville, IA (Springville HS)

S Kevin Ward (6-1, 185) - New Lenox, ILL (Providence Catholic HS)

S/WR Trev Hadachek (6-1, 170) -- La Porte City (Union HS)