Tevaun Smith will have something to say in Iowa’s passing game

IOWA CITY - If you don't think Iowa players are asked why the offense doesn't throw the ball downfield more, you're wrong.

'All the time,” senior wide receiver Tevaun Smith said.

And his answer?

'Ask coach Ferentz,” he said with a laugh.

Of course, head coach Kirk Ferentz has answered this question more than a few times.

'I don't know. I'm not the one who makes the plays,” Smith said. 'It just goes by gameplan. If the play is supposed to come to me or if the ball is supposed to come my way, I'll do my best to catch it and do my best to score.”

That could change this season. With junior C.J. Beathard in and senior Jake Rudock off to Michigan, the potential is there for more range in the Iowa offense. The big arm you've seen in spot duty for the last two seasons is now the starter.

Beathard had three of Iowa's top 10 long plays last season, while throwing one pass to every 3.75 Rudock threw (345 passes to 92). Rudock completed 213 passes for 2,436 yards, an 11.43 average per completion. Beathard completed 92 passes for 645 yards and a 12.40 average per completion.

'He's going to take more shots,” offensive coordinator Greg Davis said. 'He's comfortable doing that. We've encouraged him to do that.”

Also from Davis: 'I mean he has really good arm talent.”

Of course, the cautions come in barrels. Will Ferentz allow the offense to unlock itself? Will pass protection stand up with two new starting offensive tackles? Does Iowa have the receiving talent to feed a healthy passing game?

This is where you want to hear from Smith, Iowa's leading returning wide receiver with 70 career receptions. What does the offense (and passing game) need to take a step forward?

'I think it's just more guys stepping up and making plays,” Smith said. 'Last year, there was only one or two guys making plays. It needs to be everybody playing 100 percent, full-go every single play. If we can do that, if all 11 guys are doing the same thing, we'll be successful.”

This is Smith saying that he doesn't care what route Iowa's passing game takes as long as it's effective. He'll take a 1-yard wide receiver screen, he'll take a 40-yard go route. Whatever works. He doesn't call any particular route a favorite.

Asked specifically if he was a fan of 'check down” or flat routes, he didn't totally say no.

'I guess not, I don't know. If it goes to someone else, as long as he's scoring, I don't have a problem with it,” Smith said. 'We'll just have to see what happens with C.J.”

But, yes of course, as a wide receiver, Smith votes for a more aggressive downfield approach. Iowa hasn't had a wide receiver finish in the Big Ten top 10 in yards per catch since Marvin McNutt in 2011 (16.04 yards).

'All the receivers want the ball and there's only one ball,” Smith said. 'We all want the ball. It has to be distributed to everyone.”

With tight end Jake Duzey on the shelf until perhaps the end of September with a knee injury, Smith will begin the season as Iowa's clear-cut No. 1 receiving threat. Senior Jacob Hillyer and junior Matt VandeBerg trail Smith's 70 career catches considerably with 23 and 22, respectively.

Right now, Smith is the Iowa scouting report at wide receiver. He knows that and he knows he will have to work that much harder to get his in 2015.

'I know I'm going to have to work a lot harder,” Smith said. 'I know the coaches will do their best to get the ball to whomever they want. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I'm going to do whatever I have to do to help the team win and make plays. That's what I'm here for.”

Smith also is totally buying into the mentoring role that comes along with being the most experienced senior at his position.

This week, incoming freshmen wide receivers Jerminic Smith, Adrian Falconer and Emmanuel Ogwo will arrive for summer workouts and orientation. Wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy said this spring that he wants them to contribute.

'I'd like to get all three of them in the mix,” Kennedy said. 'Maybe that's unrealistic, but I'm going to push for that to happen.”

Smith is open to as many contributing wide receivers as possible, including the freshmen trio.

'I expect a lot out of them,” he said. 'Some guys expected a lot out of me when I first got here, and I'll expect a lot out of them. I told them to feel free to text me with anything they need. We'll be here working in the complex, just come here ready to work. There's no going back now, might as well get to work.”

One receiver already on campus Smith believes could see the light go on in 2015 is freshman Joshua Jackson. The 6-1, 185-pounder moved from defensive back before spring practice.

'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.”

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