Iowa football names 2017 leadership group

Head coach Kirk Ferentz announced all 17 seniors plus junior defensive back Brandon Snyder make up the Iowa football team's 2017 leadership group.

The group is selected by a team vote and assists in program decision-making, according to a release.

'Our success is a product of the leadership provided by this group on an annual basis,” Ferentz said in a statement. 'The input and leadership is valuable to our entire program throughout the entire year, not just during the fall season. Our older players are a valuable resource to our younger guys and set a great example of our expectations.”

The 2016 leadership group featured nine seniors and seven juniors, inclucing Nathan Bazata, Ike Boettger, Bo Bower, Josey Jewell, Boone Myers, Ben Niemann and Sean Welsh, who are again part of it this year. Matt VandeBerg is also a repeat selection. The receiver earned another year of eligibility with a medical redshirt.

This year's lone junior, Snyder, started at safety last season but tore an ACL in spring practice and is doubtful for the 2017 season.

Here's the entire leadership group:

DL Nathan Bazata

OL Ike Boettger

LB Bo Bower

DL Daniel Gaffey

DL Jake Hulett

LB Josey Jewell

LS Tyler Kluver

FB Drake Kulick

OL Boone Myers

LB Ben Niemann

TE Peter Pekar

DB Brandon Snyder

DB Miles Taylor

WR Matt VandeBerg

RB Akrum Wadley

LB Kevin Ward

OL Sean Welsh

TE Jon Wisnieski