The offensive, defensive lines for the Hawkeyes

A look by Marc Morehouse at the Iowa Hawkeye football team's offensive and defensive lines.

Offense

1. Concerns - Holes need to be filled, but Coach Kirk Ferentz is on the case. No worries.

The track record is there, certainly, but the line will be young, have fewer years in the weight room and won't be 300-plus.

2. Additions/subtractions - It wasn't a shock when Bryan Bulaga announced a day after the Orange Bowl he'd decided to enter the NFL draft. The real setback might be the loss of Dace Richardson, who passed on seeking a medical hardship waiver for another year of eligibility.

An O-line of Riley Reiff and Richardson at tackle would have been light years ahead of Reiff and question mark. Richardson was all-Big Ten last season and a versatile performer. He would have fit nicely on the 2010 unit.

Several red-shirt freshmen and a transfer have come on line this spring.

3. Battles brewing - Center could be an interesting battle. Josh Koeppel has been a consummate program guy. He walked on, earned a scholarship and has marked his time in the weight room. Then there's James Ferentz. He's on the shortish side, but he's in the 270 range and will give Koeppel a run for the job.

4. Prediction - Reiff will anchor a line with some question marks. There should be massive competition, so while, yes, there is uncertainty, the five best will have survived a monthlong audition in August. That's a positive.

Defense

1. Concerns - Depth is the only legitimate concern. The third tackle likely will be Mike Daniels, who made 10 tackles in limited action last season. The third DE is Lebron Daniel, who made two tackles in even more limited action in 2009.

2. Additions/subtractions - Coaches saw the need and the recruiting class is studded with linemen, including ends Dominic Avis and Joe Gaglione. Juco transfer Joe Forgy red-shirted last season. Louis Trinca-Pasat is an incoming freshman whose future appears to be as a DE.

New tackles include Scott Covert (6-2, 240) and Marty Hopkins (6-3, 230).

3. Battles brewing - Really, the only jockeying will be in the three deeps.

4. Prediction - Pretty good position here. Adrian Clayborn is a 290-pound force of nature. Broderick Binns showed he's also a pass rusher to deal with. Who do you block? Rush defense numbers tumbled slightly last season, so that might be the challenge.