Outland Trophy goes from Iowa to Stanford

LOS ANGELES — Brandon Scherff's name came up a couple of different times during Monday's Rose Bowl media opportunities.

Scherff won the Outland Trophy as a senior last season with the Hawkeyes. He then became the No. 5 pick in the NFL draft in May and is a starting guard for the Washington Redskins.

Stanford guard Joshua Garnett is this year's Outland winner. The 6-5, 325-pounder saw some tape on Scherff while scouting the Hawkeyes for Friday's Rose Bowl matchup.

'When we played Maryland, we watched the film from when Maryland played Iowa,' Garnett said. 'You could definitely see him. He's the real deal, obviously.'

And then Iowa linebacker Cole Fisher was asked a question about the size of Stanford's offensive line. (Note: These guys, they don't really notice size as much as you might think. Big is big and everyone is big.)

'Everyone has got big linemen, everyone has got speed on the line,' Fisher said. 'For years we all practiced against Brandon Scherff, last year the Outland Trophy winner, and I don't think I've gone up against anyone who's hit as hard as that guy. So, I guess I've seen the best. Not to downplay or anything what he's done (Garnett), but it's just when you go against somebody, it seems like everyone is good, I guess is what I'm trying to say.'

Linebacker derby

— Fisher came out of nowhere as a fifth-year senior and not only claimed the weakside linebacker spot but lifted the position. Going into Friday's Rose Bowl, Fisher is No. 2 on the team with 112 tackles. He came into 2015 with nine career tackles.

Fisher will hand the spot to either redshirt freshman Aaron Mends or true freshman Jack Hockaday. Here's a little scouting from Fisher on those two:

'He's got the physical tools to be just crazy good, the amount of power and speed that he brings is nothing that I've seen since I've been here,' Fisher said about Mends, a 6-0, 215-pounder and Kansas City, Mo., native who'll be a sophomore next season. 'I remember when he came in as a freshman, he asked if he could lift with me, when we were doing like bench and clean, and I was looking at him like you can't. I don't really want to be picking up the weights left and right the whole entire time. And he goes to his first set, and I think he put on weight on top of mine, and it's like, what is going on right now? Who are you?'

On Hockaday, a 6-1, 215-pounder who'll be a sophomore next season: 'Jack is a guy that jumped out in front of the freshman pack really quick during fall camp, and I think he's got a really bright future, so it'll be interesting to see what goes on between those two.'

Iowa practice notes

— During the walk-through portion, Iowa's offensive line again was jumbled, as it was on Sunday. On Monday, sophomore left tackle Boone Myers again was left off the first unit, with junior Cole Cole Croston flipping from right tackle to left. Also, sophomore Sean Welsh flipped to right tackle and true freshman James Daniels replaced Welsh at guard with center Austin Blythe and right guard Jordan Walsh in their regular spots.

It's probably just a walk-through in preparation for emergency scenarios. Myers has no known injury issues.

Sophomore outside linebacker Ben Niemann went through concussion protocol after the Nebraska game, but did rebound to play in the Big Ten title game. In the walk through, sophomore Bo Bower spent some time on the first unit in Niemann's place. Again, probably just emergency preparation.

True freshman running back Eric Graham is playing the role of Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey on scout team. Graham, 5-9, 195 pounds, is a true freshman from Prattville, Ala.

'He's a confident guy,' junior running back LeShun Daniels said. 'Every day after practice he always comes over to us, the older running backs, talking about how he's always doing the scout team, just popping off runs and stuff like that.

'I've seen him work. He's a talented kid, and I really think that in the future years, as long as he can be mature, stuff like that, and grow older and understand what it takes to be a great Iowa football player, I think he'll be fantastic.'

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