Quick Slants: Insurance is the best policy

CHICAGO - Brandon Scherff always will be the jewel of Iowa's 2014 recruiting class.

After an all-Big Ten 2013, he was a possible first-round NFL draft pick. He announced before Iowa's Outback Bowl game that he would return for his senior season at Iowa.

Yes, the senior offensive tackle passed up NFL money because he loves Iowa City and he believes he's getting the best offensive line coaching (between head coach Kirk Ferentz and O-line coach Brian Ferentz) in the world.

So, yes, he took out an insurance policy on himself for the 2014 season. It's a $1 million policy that will cost him $8,000 when he does eventually end up in the NFL.

'It was a long process,” Scherff said Tuesday at Big Ten media days. 'They [the NCAA] offered so much, and I just took a million. I don't plan on using it.

'I never thought I would be in that situation. Hard work pays off. We still have one more year of work to put in.”

The NCAA offers an insurance program that protects athletes against career-ending injuries. Athletes at anywhere from $1 million to $5 million. Career-ending injuries are rare and these policies are rarely cashed in.

'Brandon could've gotten more than he did,” Kirk Ferentz said. 'He's not too worried about that. I wonder how many of these ever get paid off. It's stupid not to take it, but the reality is it's so rare that that happens. It's stupid not to take it. It's one of those things you should do.”

New defensive end, kind of ...

Last February, defensive end Torey Hendrick committed to the Hawkeyes out of ASA College, a junior college in Brooklyn, N.Y. He didn't sign of letter of intent, so Iowa couldn't - because of NCAA rules - speak on his status.

The 6-4, 230-pounder is listed on Iowa's roster in the fall media guide. Ferentz acknowledged Tuesday that Hendrick is expected to join the team.

Hendrick still is finishing up a course at ASA and he will not be eligible for the 2014 season. He will redshirt this season and is not expected to be in fall camp, which begins the evening of Aug. 4.

Rudock, Beathard the differences ...

Monday, Ferentz said there is an ongoing discussion about working sophomore quarterback C.J. Beathard into some regular playing time with junior Jake Rudock, who started all 13 games last season and who remains the No. 1 QB.

Tuesday, he discussed the differences between the two - Beathard's arms strength and Rudock's football IQ are differentiators, Ferentz said - and why they're seriously looking into it.

'C.J. has a little bit of a wild card factor to him,” Ferentz said. 'He's a very nimble athlete. He has a little wind resistance issue with his hair (it's long, shoulder length). He's one of those guys who can improvise a little bit. We don't want him to go out there and start chucking it up.”

Ferentz said it's not about entertainment value, it's what will help Iowa's offense put points on the scoreboard.

'We don't want to screw up our team and take away the rhythm of what we're doing,” Ferentz said. 'We have to first of all be convinced that what we see is going to help us move the ball and score points. That's the only reason to do it ... If it's going to help us be tougher to defend - and I think it has that potential - so, that's what we're working through right now.”

Scherff vs. Carl ...

Speaking of entertainment, Iowa hasn't done an 'Oklahoma” style drill that has pitted Scherff and defensive tackle Carl Davis in a one-on-one drill.

They faced off when they were freshmen, when Scherff played guard. Now, Iowa's offense knows Iowa's defense and vice versa. And believe it or not, when they meet on the field, they're usually laughing.

'It's kind of funny because, when he sees me and I see him, we get a laugh out of it,” Davis said. 'We never see each other in practice except for a stunt when I come around the outside, he's way over there and I'm way over here.”

Davis knew the question was coming. You can understand the fascination. Scherff is 6-5, 323 pounds. Davis is 6-5, 315 pounds. Who wouldn't want to see that?

'We did a tug-o-war a few times,” Davis said. 'I'm not going to lie. He won. He's a house. I'm pretty strong, but the stuff he does is crazy.”

Scherff remembered the tug-o-war.

'I did win,” Scherff said.

Did Davis ask for a rematch?

'He did and I beat him again,” Scherff said.

Wisnieski will camp ...

Redshirt freshman tight end Jon Wisnieski did suffer an ACL injury during spring practice. Ferentz said that he will try to participate in camp.

'He's coming off an ACL,” Ferentz said. 'We're not counting on him. We want to be smart. The sooner we get him back out there, the better. He's learning, but we can't count on him playing.”

Malloy, Hill land at UNI ...

Former Iowa running backs Michael Malloy and Barkley Hill are listed on Northern Iowa's fall roster. Malloy left before spring practice. Hill decided to leave after spring.

Coincidentally, Iowa opens at Kinnick Stadium Aug. 30 against the Panthers.

Alternative uniforms? Don't hold your breath ...

For those of you wanting Iowa to join the Nike Pro Combat uniform craze, it sounds as though your wait will continue.

'I haven't given that a lot of thought ... Don't sit on the edge of your seat,” Ferentz said. 'I've told recruits that, too. If that's what it takes ...

'I think we have a classic uniform. I still have some scar tissue from that Purdue game a few years ago.”

In 2012, Iowa wore an alternate uniform against Purdue. The uniform wasn't a Nike Pro Combat, but a stock Nike uniform with colors that were supposed to represent the military in honor of Veterans Day. The uniforms were widely panned by fans. Iowa also lost the game, 27-24.

'It may take a while for me to get over that one, on a lot of levels,” Ferentz said.

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