No. 9 — RB Jordan Canzeri

No. 9 . . .

There are two facets to Jordan Canzeri's 2015 that need examination and you probably can already name at least one.

1) Can he stay healthy? No player on Iowa's roster has had more opportunity blow up because of health than the 5-9, 193-pound senior.

Canzeri didn't really burst on the scene in 2011. By the time that Iowa team made it to the Insight Bowl, all the running backs were injured or suspended (namely Marcus Coker, who was suspended for that bowl game and eventually left Iowa). It was Canzeri or Damon Bullock against Oklahoma. Canzeri, who weighed in the 170s at the time, did what he could, rushing 22 times for 58 yards and catching six passes for 28 yards and a TD.

In spring, when it looked as if Canzeri would have a clear shot to be 'the guy,' Canzeri suffered a torn ACL. Iowa nearly ran out of running backs again in 2012. Canzeri was cleared to play late in the season, but head coach Kirk Ferentz decided to keep him redshirted.

In '13, Canzeri went three straight games without a carry and then broke out for a 43-yarder that sort of put him back on the map. This got Canzeri into the rotation and he made some noise. Last season, the injuries returned. Canzeri started against Pitt, the week after he injured a heel on a kick return against Iowa State. At Maryland, he suffered an ankle sprain and missed two games. In the offseason, he had minor ankle surgery and so now here we are.

'It's just another thing to put in the past,' Canzeri said. 'I definitely feel like I've gotten stronger, mentally and physically, from those injuries. It's not one of those things that because of my injuries, I hesitate when I run. I don't think about them. It's nothing that bothers me anymore. If an injury comes, I'd be ready to be positive about it and ready to work and get back fast. It's nothing that's standing in the back of my mind.'

That's the only way to go as a running back. You can't spend a minute thinking about . . . well, pretty much anything . . . but mainly injury. You can't afford to let it creep into your mind.

'If you are afraid you're going to get injured, you're most likely going to get injured,' Canzeri said. 'You've just got to believe in yourself and the work you put in. For me as a running back, I have to trust the hole is going to be there and not hesitate. It's all about the positive mindset.'

Injuries have clearly factored in Canzeri's career. This leads to No. 2: What is the optimum usage for Canzeri?

In the 190-pound neighborhood, he's probably not a 20- or 25-carry a game RB. As we hurtle toward the opener on Sept. 5 vs. Illinois State, junior LeShun Daniels, despite missing some time early in camp, is poised for that role.

According to running backs coach Chris White, Canzeri has been slotted for third down and 'carries,' which is in quotation marks because it needs an explainer. The No. 2 RB sees more carries than you probably think. In 2009, Brandon Wegher had 162, when the Hawkeyes went more toward dueling No. 1 RBs. In 2013, Canzeri finished as Iowa's No. 2 rusher with 74 — that's the low in the last seven seasons — but Bullock held the role for most of the season and finished with 118 carries.

During the last seven years, Iowa's No. 2 RB has averaged 113.1 carries a season and nearly nine a game. Now, not all No. 2 RBs have been used in the same way. Some really were the second-stringer, while others — namely since offensive coordinator Greg Davis arrived in 2012 — were used in a third-down role.

Since 2012, the No. 2/third-down back has carried 135, 74/118 and, last season, 102 (Canzeri), 33 (Akrum Wadley) and 27 (Bullock).

How many receptions has the No. 2/third-down back gotten during the Davis term? In 2012, Bullock had 18 and since it's been 20 (Bullock, 2013) and 32 (Bullock, '14).

So, is nine carries and let's round it up to three receptions sound about right for Canzeri? No, it sounds kind of light for Iowa's closest facsimile to a proven back that it has.

Success will steer this. The Iowa staff likely won't have the quick hook it had last year, but they also know they can't wait around for a back to find his 'rhythm.'

Let's maybe go with 15 to 18 touches for Canzeri with room to grow. That sounds about right.

Outlook . . .

Can this lapse into RBBC (Running Back By Committee)? It's possible and it wouldn't be the end of the world. If nothing else, the Hawkeyes have terrific depth here from Daniels to Canzeri to Akrum Wadley to Derrick Mitchell Jr.

It doesn't feel as if that will happen, but this is an intriguing group. Lots of factors go into it — namely the offensive line opening holes — but Iowa seemingly has a chance to take a step forward at running back and Canzeri is certainly going to get a piece of it.

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