Croot Loops — Defensive line

The four defensive linemen in Iowa's 2015 recruiting class have different stories.

Pella's Garret Jansen

(6-1, 250) will project to tackle. He had 75 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and seven sacks last fall while helping Pella to a 14-0 record and a Class 3A state championship. Jansen originally committed to Cincinnati, but the school changed his offer to a grayshirt, meaning he wouldn't go on scholarship until the second semester of his freshman year. At that point, Jansen decided to open up his recruitment, he told HawkeyeReport.com.

Then, Jansen committed to Northern Iowa. The dialogue with Iowa, however, continued. Finally, Iowa offered a scholarship on 10:30 p.m. Friday night before signing day. He committed on the spot.

Rivals: 2 stars Scout: 2 stars 247Sports: 3 stars Composite

: 2.33

Depth chart in 2015?

: Likely no. The work now is to get Jansen into the 280 or 290 range so he can play two-gap defensive tackle and hold a point of attack/defend a gap. Plus, Iowa is stocked at defensive tackle for 2015 and, possible, 2016.

Off-the-top-of-my-head Hawkeye comparison

: Louis Trinca-Pasat

Jansen probably begins as the 3 technique tackle, playing on either shoulder of a guard, but is his strength takes off, there's no reason to think he couldn't play over the center. He's just not as big as Carl Davis and Jaleel Johnson, the likely 1 technique in 2015 (and the closest thing Iowa has to Carl Davis, who potential first-round draft pick).

Iowa recruiting coordinator Seth Wallace

: 'Garret was someone we had a lot of love for in camp. He committed to Cincinnati and we respected that. Some things went a different direction with his relationship there. We were running the race with a few other schools, knowing we wanted to take another interior guy. It was a no-brainer on our end. Here's a kid who's in-state, who has the size that would matchup with guys who've been historically good players for us, when you talk about Matt Kroul and Mitch King. He's explosive and physical. You watch him on the tape and he's an intense player.”

My take

: I love how low Jansen starts in his stance. His facemask is probably only a foot off the ground. In Class 3A Iowa football, he looks unblockable. His hands and feet really work together well. His feet don't stop moving at contact. He really drives through people. The big question will be if Iowa can develop that power to a Big Ten level. The road map is there, but it's obviously a steep climb.

________

Iowa loved Waukee defensive end Anthony Nelson (6-6, 220) in its camp last summer. Iowa State offered and he committed before Iowa could present an offer the way it wanted to, head coach Kirk Ferentz said. That one was revisited soon after the end of the season.

'They were respectful of my commitment,” Nelson told HawkeyeReport.com. 'They kind of let me determine how far I wanted to take it and how much I wanted to learn about Iowa. I decided that I owed myself to take a better look at Iowa and make sure I knew as much as I could before making it official.”

Nelson had 51 tackles including 21.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in leading Waukee to an 11-2 record.

Rivals: 3 stars Scout: 2 stars 247Sports: 3 stars Composite

: 2.66

Depth chart in 2015?: Probably not. I would expect Nelson to take a similar path to Matt Nelson, a 6-7, 255-pound defensive end from Cedar Rapids who began his Iowa career with a redshirt last season. Maybe genetics lend a hand? Nelson's father, Jeff, played defensive line at Iowa from 1990-92.

Off-the-top-of-my-head Hawkeye comparison

: ????????

Iowa really hasn't done the super-rangy defensive end, at least not in the Kirk Ferentz era. In 1999, Ed Saidat lined up as a 6-7, 270-pound defensive end. Riley McMinn was the next 6-7 DE, but his career ended early because of injuries. With Nelson and Nelson, Iowa now has a pair of super-rangy DEs who'll probably need some time to fill out.

Iowa recruiting coordinator Seth Wallace

: 'There's a connection between coach [Ferentz] and his dad. Anthony was in during camp right when I got here (June last summer), we were in the process of getting ready to offer him. It just so happened that he committed to Iowa State about the time we were getting ready to offer. When we got toward the tail end of our season, coach Ferentz made the decision that we were going to revisit that one because there was a lot of love before the season. We're pretty fortunate that there was a connection there, because you talk about a kid with great size, very athletic. You watch him run on the basketball court, and we've had coaches who've gone to practice or to games, and you're talking about someone who runs very fluidly for being 6-6. You can see where in a short amount of time what this program can give him development-wise, he's going to put on the weight. You're talking about a 6-6 frame that is very athletic.”

My take:

The discussion is defensive end for Nelson. It makes sense. Iowa absolutely needs defensive ends. Watching Nelson's highlight video from Iowa, he showed an array of rush moves and outclassed heavier offensive tackles with athleticism. He understands leverage and consistently got his inside shoulder into the tackle and then around. You can also see why Iowa wants a 6-6 or 6-7 defensive end. Nelson covers a ton of ground. With 6-6 length, the QB who walks up the pocket is gettable.

________

Brady Reiff (6-4, 235) was a two-time state champion in wrestling at Parkston (S.D.), but this winter he decided to enroll early at the UI and will be in Iowa City for spring practice.

Reiff helped Parkston to its first football state championship last fall. The brother of former Iowa all-Big Ten offensive tackle Riley Reiff, a first-round NFL draft pick who plays left tackle for the Detroit Lions, Reiff played defensive end, linebacker, tight end and wide receiver during his prep career.

Rivals: 2 stars Scout: 3 stars 247Sports: 3 stars Composite

: 2.66

Depth chart in 2015?

: Probably not, but if Reiff has wheels he could get a look for core special teams play. He's got good size and played some skill positions for Parkston, so let's not rule it out. For Reiff, there also could be the possibility of injuries showing up and giving him an opportunity. This is how senior DE Drew Ott first found his way to the field as a true freshman in 2012.

Off-the-top-of-my-head Hawkeye comparison

: Drew Ott

If Reiff is 6-4, then I think he'll begin his career with the same measurements as Ott, who'll begin his third season as a starter this spring. Now, does Reiff have the speed and range that Ott has shown? That we don't know and won't for at least a year, but 6-4 also will give him options if DE doesn't click. (BTW, Riley Reiff began his Iowa career as a DE. I don't think that lasted a week in camp before he moved to O-line.)

Iowa recruiting coordinator Seth Wallace

: 'Heuckuva wrestler, for that reason we know he's a tough kid and he's athletic. He comes from a good family that we know a lot about obviously.” (Wallace said Reiff will begin his career at defensive end.)

My take

: Iowa needs defensive ends. It needs a lot of them and needs them now. I don't think Reiff can offer help in the short term, but you have to like the starter kit. I wouldn't, however, rule out the possibility of playing guard or tackle. If his weightroom development takes off, Reiff has a lot of the same credentials as, say, Matt Kroul when he came out of Mount Vernon. Right now, Iowa has to pour bodies on the defensive end spot and needs to hit on a few there. Reiff would be a big help.

________

Michael Slater 6-2, 265) is listed as a defensive end right now, but also could move to tackle. At Parkway Central High School (St. Louis, Miss.), Slater played linebacker and running back. He rushed for 811 yards and 16 TDs as a senior. He had 68 tackles and two interceptions as a senior.

The running back days are probably over, but it is Iowa running back we're talking about, so ... OK, Slater's running back days are probably over.

Slater was the No. 7 prospect in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Super 30. Running back took a bite out of his defensive duties, but as a linebacker Slater recorded 47 tackles, including two tackles for loss and an interception. Slater told the Post-Dispatch that he relishes getting busy on the defensive side. Asked what's better, scoring a touchdown or sacking the quarterback, he didn't hesitate.

'Knocking the quarterback down,” he said with a chuckle.

Rivals: 3 stars Scout: 3 stars 247Sports: 3 stars Composite

: 3.00

Depth chart in 2015?

: I don't think so. Slater projects to the defensive line, end and/or tackle. He'll need a year to get his feet on the ground. Unless he comes into camp and shows a real knack for getting to the passer and holds up against the run, he'll probably redshirt and have a chance as a 280-pounder in 2016.

Off-the-top-of-my-head Hawkeye comparison

: Mike Daniels

Yes, I know, this one needs some explaining. I would say remember where Mike Daniels started. He was a 6-1, 230-pound running back/DE from New Jersey (he rushed for 1,278 yards and 15 TDs as a senior). His only other offer was Temple. Was he tall enough to play end? Stout enough to play tackle? He found a spot and now he's a mainstay DT for the Packers.

Slater has a climb to reach that, obviously, but you can draw comparisons to their starting points.

Recruiting coordinator Seth Wallace

: 'Michael Slater was the first guy I watched when I took the job. I look back and I had just gotten home with Jim Reid. They had just done the satellite camp we did in St. Louis. Slater came to it. You're talking about someone who's 6-2 or 6-3, 275, a middle linebacker who played running back. Strong, quick. It took him a little bit after we offered him to get him to jump in the boat. Jim Reid and the rest of the defensive guys, after the camp down there, had strong feelings about him. They wanted me to look at him. I looked and saw the same things they saw. Here's a guy who can play on the defensive line and can have the quickness and strength and still have very good size.”

My take

: If Slater responds to training the way other Iowa defensive lineman starter kits have, he'll have a shot at the rotation maybe by next year. His highlight tape is one of those 'who left the bear cage open at the kids zoo” deals. Take note of the first two plays. Slater played LB and picked his spots. Having to only concentrate on defense also should help him grow his game quickly.

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com