Some video, observations from Iowa football practice

Remember how all last season we in the media wrote stories about Iowa's morning practices? Well, the Hawkeyes really do practice in the morning. They're on the field before 8 a.m. They seemed awake and ready to roll on Wednesday.

I also probably should practice in the morning.

Some observations:

— RB Derrick Mitchell has an injury to left shoulder. I didn't know what it was before, but he was at practice. I think he and CB Greg Mabin had the same thing. Head coach Kirk Ferentz announced at the beginning of spring practice Mitchell would be out, so it was a shoulder surgery. Ferentz said he'll be ready to go in June.

— OL Mitch Keppy was on crutches. There was at least one other Hawkeye on crutches. Didn't know who that was. I failed this quiz. I need to practice in the morning.

— Ferentz announced in January that would-be sophomore center James Daniels would miss spring after surgery. He had his right knee wrapped up and braced. He wasn't in gear and wasn't practicing. The first OL was (from left to right) Cole Croston, Boone Myers, Sean Welsh, Keagan Render and Ike Boettger.

— Also in January, Ferentz announced that CB Joshua Jackson had offseason surgery and would miss spring. He was back catching punts on Wednesday. He was in a red no-contact jersey, but he was out there. No idea what the surgery was.

— Nothing on DE Drew Ott. I didn't see him this morning, but I didn't look, either. DL coach Reese Morgan is speaking later today.

— I've never noticed this before, but QBs have fumbled snap and low shotgun snap drills. C.J. Beathard went through all of it. I think he's good to go. He's also talking later this morning. He, of course, had sports hernia surgery in January.

— In a punt and punt return drill, the following coaches observed Ferentz, DC Phil Parker, RB Chris White, WR Bobby Kennedy. LB Seth Wallace and TE LeVar Woods ran the drill. Iowa is into that special teams thing.

— Wednesday was a fully padded practice.

— RB Akrum Wadley looks maybe a little bit bigger. In one walk-through play, he caught a pass in the flat.

— I was impressed with LB Josey Jewell's energy and leadership. He pumped up everyone.

— WR Riley McCarron was very active in punt cover drills. He also had sports hernia surgery in January. McCarron is a former walk-on and a fifth-year senior who's listed No. 1 on the depth chart for the first time in his career this spring. He's going to have to be run over by an elephant to keep him docked.

— CB Desmond King was returning punts, so was WR Jerminic Smith.

This just in (seriously this time) from Iowa. Details on the open practice in Des Moines. Some fun family stuff involved this year (well, you guys will be the judges of fun):

IOWA FOOTBALL WILL HOST 'FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' IN WEST DES MOINES

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa football team will hold an open practice at Valley Stadium, West Des Moines, on Friday, April 8, with a youth clinic scheduled to follow the practice session. The Hawkeyes are staging the event at Valley Stadium for the fourth straight spring.

The open practice in West Des Moines will begin at 6 p.m. at Valley Stadium, and will be preceded by an autograph session on the field at 5:30 p.m. West and Southeast gates will open at 4:30 p.m. No tickets are required for the event, which is free to the public. Roster cards, posters, schedule cards, and 2016 ticket information will be available at all open gates.

A 45-minute youth clinic will take place following the practice (approximately 7:45 p.m.). The clinic is open for the first 275 children (ages 7-12), with all participants receiving a free t-shirt. Release of Liability forms will be distributed at the entrance gates. Forms must be completed and signed by the youth's parent/guardian and presented to UI staff at the NW Field Gate at 7:15 p.m. Parents/guardians will not be permitted on the field during the youth clinic.

'We are pleased to be returning to West Des Moines and central Iowa for a spring practice,' said head coach Kirk Ferentz. 'This annual event has been a popular event in the past and well received by our players, coaches, and our fans in central and western Iowa. We look forward to hosting a Friday evening event, while hosting both an autograph session with our players, and a clinic with our coaches following practice.

'The assistance and cooperation we receive from everyone involved from the West Des Moines Community School District and Valley High School plays a major role in the success of the event,' said Ferentz. 'We appreciate their willingness to work with our program again in the planning, organization and hosting of this event.'

Concession stands within the stadium will be open and Herky's Locker Room will be open outside the west entrance. No outside food or drink will be allowed in Valley Stadium. Other prohibited items include strollers and umbrellas. Bags may also be subject to search upon entry to Valley Stadium.

No tailgating, including open flame grills, is allowed on West Des Moines Community School District, city of West Des Moines, or Valley Church property; including before and after the practice. Alcohol is not ever allowed on the city of West Des Moines or West Des Moines Community Schools property. All WDMCS property, including Valley Stadium, is tobacco-free.

Iowa began spring drills on Wednesday, March 23. The Hawkeyes will host their final spring practice in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, April 23 (1 p.m.) to conclude spring practice.

OK, that's about all I can remember. More later today.

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