No. 45 — WR Joshua Jackson

No. 45 . . .

Joshua Jackson made the move from cornerback to wide receiver with about 10 days left in spring practice. He came into the spring game (the real one, at Kinnick Stadium) and promptly dropped what would've been an 80-plus yard TD pass from QB Tyler Wiegers. It's OK, Jackson (6-1, 185) will play his first snaps this season. He has plenty of time to do something you might remember in a better light.

Iowa has a pool of nine or so wide receivers for the second or third spots. Senior Tevaun Smith is the clear No. 1. Junior Matt VandeBerg probably is a solid No. 2, but beyond that, things are fairly wide open. If a receiver comes in and shows something — going back to that 80-yard drop, Jackson did show he could get open and get deep — he has a chance to play.

Jackson is in that group. Iowa needs playmakers and he has a chance.

Tug-o-War . . .

When Jackson (Corinth, Texas) signed with Iowa out of Lake Dallas High School, his head coach Michael Young told the Denton (Texas) Record-Chronicle, Jackson's hometown newspaper, he believed Iowa would change its mind on corner and eventually give Jackson a shot on the offensive side of the ball.

'I told the coaches at Iowa before the season started that I thought after they saw him play receiver this year that things would change and that he would get a chance to play offense,' Young said. 'I think he's going to when he gets up there. He's a dynamic receiver as well, and in this day of football, touchdowns are important. He's versatile. He can play corner, safety or inside or outside receiver. Versatility is important. If you go there and can only do one thing, it can be tough.'

Points are going to be a thing for the Hawkeyes this year. Iowa's offense hasn't finished with 30-plus points per game since 2008.

Tevaun Smith seal of approval . . .

Why list Jackson? He barely appeared on the radar this spring. Well, Smith gave him an endorsement earlier this summer. Smith is there and actually sees who's doing what within this very young, unproven group.

'He's going to be pretty good,' Smith said. 'When we throw, I'm always trying to give him a little advice and he's getting better everyday. He's definitely someone to look out for.'

Competition . . .

On average, Iowa has between two and three wide receivers catch double digit receptions over the last few seasons. This year, you'd have to think Smith, VandeBerg and senior Jacob Hillyer are the top candidates for those amounts of targets. Opportunity is there, however, and Jackson slots in the next wave, which ranges from senior walk-on Andrew Stone to a trio of incoming freshmen.

Jackson probably isn't in a head-to-head situation with anyone for playing time. Given his build, he probably fits best in the split end position and will have time to get his feet on the ground there.

Outlook . . .

Smith's endorsement is intriguing. He could've said anyone. Also, Jackson made the move from cornerback about halfway through spring practice. That usually goes two ways: A coach saw something there and wanted to try to develop it, or the player saw a tough climb on the depth chart and wanted a better opportunity.

Opportunity is why Jackson is on this list.

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