UNI begins spring practice, new era

WATERLOO — Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley had a lot on his mind at UNI's Pro Day on Tuesday morning at Cedar Valley Sportsplex.

Sure, he was there to watch David Johnson, Xavier Williams and his son, Jake, among others while they displayed their talents in front of NFL scouts and assistant coaches. But as he stood there watching, he couldn't help but laugh and remark, 'Seeing them in such great shape makes you wish they were coming back.'

Wishful thinking, sure, and it's so present in his thoughts because the Panthers began the first day of spring practice on Wednesday, and all that talent seen at Pro Day will not exactly be easy to replace.

'You sit here and watch what's leaving and know you've got to go to practice tomorrow,' Farley said. 'You're proud of watching them do what they do, but it's very sad when you sit there and watch what you've lost and have to replace for next season.'

The Panthers went 9-5 last year and received an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs before losing to eventual national runner-up and Missouri Valley Football Conference foe Illinois State on Dec. 6 in Normal, Ill. They lose their starting quarterback, running back, two receivers, two key pieces on the offensive line (including its anchor), nose tackle, middle linebacker and a safety.

The most uncertainty centers on the two most important skill positions historically for UNI in running back and quarterback. There is a mix of returners and new blood at both spots, but who sees the field will be determined over the course of the two camps.

'At quarterback there are four guys in the mix. By the time we line up for camp in August, I'd say there are four guys that are legitimately potential starters. At running back, I'd say there are four there as well,' Farley said. 'I thought our running back stable was good with David in it; even without him now, I think there are some good guys in it.

'We're going to raise the bar again. As you can see, there's a lot to replace, but a lot to look forward to.'

On-again, off-again starter Sawyer Kollmorgen returns for his senior season, but likely faces the stiffest competition to start from former Coastal Carolina and Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College quarterback Dalton Demos, who split time as the HCC starter last season. Demos finished the year throwing for 1,118 yards with 14 touchdowns, three interceptions and 55.1 percent completion.

Only two other quarterbacks are currently listed on the UNI roster: junior Justin Black, who last saw action in 2013 and red-shirt freshman Eli Dunne.

At running back, the picture is much broader. Farley and his staff brought in Savon Huggins from Rutgers, making him the third former FBS running back on the roster. He joins former Iowa Hawkeye Barkley Hill, who played mostly fullback last season, and former Kansas Jayhawk Darrian Miller, who was Johnson's primary backup in 2014.

Other options include sophomore J'Veyon Browning, who stood out in last year's spring game but only saw action in one game, and Tyvis Smith, who played in 11 games and had 20 carries for 59 yards.

The depth of competition could either be a cause for concern — meaning no one great option at either spot — or a comfort in knowing there's a lot of talent still on the roster. Farley clearly believes it's the latter.

'I know we've had competition there, but I can't remember a time we've had four legitimate candidates at both positions. I mean legitimate contenders that could win the position,' Farley said. 'Only one can be on the field, so what are we going to do with the other ones? There's a lot going on there to make sure we get our best on the field.'

The 'lot going on' portion lies with his staff, which has three new members. Former co-offensive coordinator Mario Verduzco has moved on to Missouri State, and has been replaced by Joe Davis, who was the offensive coordinator at Division II Shippensburg College, for the same position.

Ben Barkema also joined the staff as the new tight ends and offensive tackles coach. He comes to UNI off two years as tight ends coach at Missouri State, and before that as a graduate assistant at Iowa State under Coach Paul Rhoads. Barkema also played at Iowa State as a tight end from 2003-07.

Former Oklahoma State assistant Jason Ray is the new wide receivers coach. Ray takes over for former Iowa State receiver Todd Blythe, who served in that position the last three seasons, and is no longer on the UNI staff. Blythe, who was recently married, is out of coaching entirely and is working with a medical technology company in Des Moines.

Farley said there's a lot of renewed enthusiasm headed into this new era of UNI football, and with a new offense to be installed, there's a lot to do — starting with spring practice.

'I tell you what, there's a lot of excitement up there right now, and as much from me as anybody else,' Farley said. 'It's three guys that have got a lot of energy, brought a lot of spark not only to our team, but to the staff. It's just exciting and fun to be around.

'(Davis') direction, he's very confident in what he does. He's very knowledgeable in what he's done, believes in what he's done, and that spills over just in how you carry yourself. We haven't even ran a play yet. But at the same time, just how he presents his offense, it makes you feel good about the potential of what could happen.'

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