PHOTOS: Johnson-Koulianos wants first-team spot back

Sure, it's a depth chart in August. It doesn't mean a whole lot.

Let's narrow the focus. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has been No. 2 on the Iowa receivers depth chart since March now. He's led the Hawkeyes in receiving the last two seasons.

Now, he leads in intrigue.

Johnson-Koulianos, a junior from Campbell, Ohio, sees the message behind his spot and is motivated to be his best.

“I've received hundreds of phone calls and questions: ‘Why aren't I on the top of the depth chart?'” said Johnson-Koulianos, who has 82 catches for 940 yards and five touchdowns in his career. “I try not to think about it because I know I've been productive in this offense as a starter here. I want to start here. Will I start here again? We'll see, we'll find out.

“But I know one thing, it won't be a question of how hard I worked or an issue I had off the field with the law or in the classroom.”

The “three or four practices in” depth chart has McNutt over Johnson-Koulianos. McNutt, a 6-foot-4, 215-pounder, made the transition from quarterback to wide receiver last season. Compared to Johnson-Koulianos, he's in his infancy at the position.

Every time McNutt's name comes up, coaches rave about attitude. He's on the 2009 leadership group, voted on by his class peers.

“They're competing right now during training camp and until we step on the field, you never know who is going to be out there,” second-year receivers coach Erik Campbell said. “It's a long training camp and those guys have to battle for the position. I don't think right now anyone has a set position yet.”

Clearly, the depth chart is a purpose pitch.

“He's fine. He's ready to go,” Campbell said of Johnson-Koulianos. “He's ready to compete and knows he has to battle every day and he'll be fine come September 5.”

Johnson-Koulianos acknowledges, if it's a ploy, it has his attention.

“From a player's standpoint, it's not my job to question their (coaches) motives or how they go about getting any player to perform at that level,” the 22-year-old said. “Right now, what I'm doing is working as hard as I can work. I'm having fun doing it. I love what I'm doing. I love where I'm at. I love the positive energy that's around this program.”

Senior Trey Stross is listed as the starter at the other receiver spot. Juniors Colin Sandeman and Paul Chaney Jr. are listed as backups. Incoming freshmen Keenan Davis, Jordan Cotton and Josh Brown could provide a lift.

“I think we can be great,” Johnson-Koulianos said. “We've got one of the greatest receiver coaches in the country. I would say that we probably have the most talent we've had at one time since I've been here. Hopefully, our coach can figure out a way to make it happen for all of us.”