THE HAWKEYE DEPTH CHART

MIDDLE LINEBACKER

1. Quinton Alston, sr., 6-1, 232; 2. Chad Gilson, sr., 6-1, 235; OR John Kenny, r-fr., 6-2, 225

WEAKSIDE LINEBACKER

1. Reggie Spearman, so., 6-3, 230; 2. Cole Fisher, jr., 6-2, 233; OR John Kenny, r-fr., 6-2, 225

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

1. Travis Perry, jr., 6-3, 232; 2. Josey Jewell, r-fr., 6-2, 225; 3. Bo Bower, r-fr., 6-1, 220

THE REST

Parker Hesse, fr., 6-2, 200; Ben Niemann, fr., 6-3, 205; Aaron Mends, fr., 6-0, 200; Jameer Outsey, fr., 6-3, 220; Eric Grimm, fr., 6-2, 200; Drake Kulick, r-fr., 6-1, 220; Luke Lindahl, r-fr., 6-0, 215; Steve Manders, r-fr., 6-1, 240; Jacob Sobotka, fr., 6-3, 215

THE GUY

Iowa has a lot riding on senior middle linebacker Quinton Alston.

He's a senior who has the trust of everyone. He's put in the work. He's led the linebacker group into summer video sessions, that extra effort that pays off in how a defense sees a game. Alston is wearing the hat of linebacker/leader guy and wearing it well.

'He wasn't out there on first and second down very much last year, but knowing he's done things right,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said. 'He's naturally kind of a vocal guy, in a good way like you'd hope a linebacker might be. He's worked extremely hard. He's done a good job on the third-down package. He's done a good job on special teams. I think everyone has been around him now for three years. I think we all - and when I say ‘we,' I'm talking about our players as well - I think everyone has a real comfort level. They know how he is and they have a strong belief in him.”

There's a high belief in Alston. Beyond Alston? It's time for nametags. Senior Chad Gilson is a walk-on. Redshirt freshman John Kenny will be in his first year of action.

'We can't get hurt,” Ferentz said. 'We've got to keep guys healthy.”

THE OTHER GUYS

Outside linebacker Travis Perry earned a scholarship this spring. He also suffered from an illness that caused him to lose 12 pounds and a concussion that took him out of the spring game finale.

Health-wise, Perry is back and participating 100 percent in camp. Just like Alston and sophomore Reggie Spearman, this is Perry's first shot at the starting lineup. He was the primary backup to Christian Kirksey the last two seasons. Kirksey is knocking on the door as a starter for the Cleveland Browns.

One change from last year, Perry will be on scholarship this fall. The former walk-on from Urbandale was awarded a scholarship this spring. Also, his dad, Russ, will miss his son's season. He's a pilot with the Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan in July. He's not slated to return to the United States until after the season. Many DVDs will be sent from the family, Travis said.

THE NEW GUYS

The new players here break into two distinct groups: the redshirt freshmen and the incoming freshmen. The redshirts are led by Josey Jewell, who started for Perry at OLB when Perry was injured this spring. Also, John Kenny is even with walk-on Chad Gilson for backup middle linebacker. Bo Bower, a walk-on from West Branch, has progressed quickly to the depth in one season.

Will the incoming freshmen matter this year? That remains to be seen. The group includes Waukon's Parker Hesse, Ben Niemann, Aaron Mends and Jameer Outsey.

The bottom line is the redshirt freshmen and incoming freshmen comprise six of the 10 linebacker scholarships on the team right now.

- Marc Morehouse