Things are moving in Iowa City.
Iowa’s offensive coordinator search appears to be nearing a climax, with sources telling 247Sports that the Hawkeyes are focusing on two candidates this week, and they hope to have a new offensive coordinator by the end of the weekend, or at least a good idea of who the new offensive coordinator will be.
Iowa Football: How did the true freshmen do in the 2023 season?
Iowa football’s offseason has begun. Let’s look at how Iowa’s true freshman fared in 2023 and where they stand coming into winter workouts.
Iowa football’s offseason has begun.
Today, we’ll take a look back at how Iowa’s true freshman performed in 2023 and where they are now in their progress as they enter their second year with the program.
Caleb Williams tops three quarterbacks in Mel Kiper’s first estimate for the 2024 NFL draft.
Mel Kiper Jr., an ESPN analyst, presented his first 2024 NFL Mock Draft this week, which featured an early push on quarterbacks and many pass-catchers in the top 10. As with other recent mocks, there is a lot of skill ability expected to come off the board on Day 1, with multiple players vying for position on the next pre-draft circuit leading up to next month’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
With the draft order nearly determined, the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders must decide what to do with their top two picks and whether to start the draft with a quarterback. Justin Fields improved significantly in Chicago this season, but most experts believe the Bears will try to trade Fields for additional draft money, given the attraction of USC’s Caleb Williams at No. 1.
Several teams that are currently without a head coach, most notably the Chargers and Falcons, are eager to hire someone to start their respective pre-draft processes and protect their futures in 2024 and beyond.
Here are Kiper’s first-round picks, along with our views on each player:
1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, quarterback, USC
Kiper expects Chicago to remain at No. 1 and see Williams as a potential franchise savior. The #1 pick was acquired by Chicago in a deal with the Carolina Panthers last season. Fields, this year’s starter, tossed only five touchdown passes in his first eight games but finished strong with 11 in his final five. As a starter, he’s helped the Bears go 10–28. According to ESPN NFL source Jeremy Fowler, Chicago is having a “difficult” time determining whether to continue with Fields or choose Williams first overall.
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU)
This is the highest projection we’ve seen for LSU’s Heisman winner this spring, highlighting Kiper’s scouting report on the dual-threat prodigy who led college football in total offense and touchdowns this season.
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, quarterback, UNC
Where do new coach Jerod Mayo and the Patriots rank No. 3 overall? With favorable early returns on former first-round pick Mac Jones eroding, most expect New England to go with a quarterback in this place, either LSU’s Daniels or UNC’s Drake Maye, depending on who is available. Maye was a Tar Heels career record holder, having thrown for over 8,000 yards and 63 touchdown passes. He is a sure-fire top-five choice. Maye checks all of the NFL boxes in terms of size, arm strength, and athleticism.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., receiver, Ohio State
The most talented non-quarterback prospect this cycle is unquestionably Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., who would likely go first overall if the teams ahead of the Cardinals were not in desperate need of signal-callers. Harrison is not just a field stretcher with great bloodlines, but he also does the little things well and is a matchup nightmare due to his size and athleticism. If he continues to develop as an outstanding player, he has the potential to outperform his talented father at the next level.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia.
Will the Chargers use their first-round pick to acquire a new weapon for Justin Herbert? Most NFL experts believe this, including Kiper in his initial mock. Brock Bowers concluded his career with 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns, making him one of the most productive tight ends in college football history and unquestionably Georgia’s top player at the position. He’s an excellent pass-catcher on third down, and considering the NFL’s love for drafting tight ends, he’s a can’t-miss, low-risk prospect.
6. NEW YORK GIANTS: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Malik Nabers, like Harrison, is a huge play waiting to happen, with the ideal skill set that should lead to rapid success at the next level. If New York uses its early first-round pick on a pass-catcher, it will have several possibilities. Nabers finished just short of winning the Biletnikoff this season after a successful season with the Tigers as Jayden Daniels’ primary target. Not only does he have outstanding hands and route-running ability, but he’s a nightmare to bring down after catching the ball.
7. Tennessee Titans: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame.
Joe Alt, everyone’s favorite offensive lineman prospect this cycle, has shown to be one of the nation’s most consistent offensive linemen. Alt helped prepare the way for Doak Walker finalist Audric Estime’s career-best running performance in his final game with the Fighting Irish, an astounding performance that almost guaranteed top-10 credit. Alt also kept Sam Hartman upright for the whole season. Alt is the type of guy you can sign a long-term contract with confidence. Tennessee needs offensive line help, and that is the assumption here.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, OLB (Alabama)
Dallas Turner, a former freshman All-American at Alabama who won SEC Defensive Player of the Year this season, is 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, and has the look of a future first-round pick. He set career highs this season with 13.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Turner’s speed and athleticism make him a popular hybrid defender, and Alabama allows him to play in a variety of positions. He is comfortable fighting off double teams and will be a three-down danger in the NFL.
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington.
This season, no receiver in college football mastered the back-shoulder reception and red zone productivity like Rome Odunze for the Huskies, who finished second in the nation. He gave defensive coordinators fits with his excellent route-running talents and superior hands. According to Kiper, three wideouts are capable of breaking into the top ten this cycle, with Odunze among them. If the Bears do choose a quarterback at No. 1, Odunze is the ideal complement in the passing game for a new option behind center.
10. New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State.
Several teams could benefit from a cornerstone tackle to protect their quarterback, and the Jets are near the top of the offensive lineman wish list. Penn State’s Olu Fashanu would have been a first-round pick in the 2023 draft, but he elected to stay with the Nittany Lions for another season to try to win the Big Ten championship. That speaks something about his mental state and desire to win as a player. Most analysts see Fashanu as an early first-round lock, maybe off the board as the first non-quarterback or receiver selected unless Notre Dame’s Alt gets that distinction.
Minnesota Vikings:Â Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
12. Denver Broncos:Â Laiatu Latu, OLB, UCLA
13. Las Vegas Raiders:Â Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
14. New Orleans Saints:Â Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
15. Indianapolis Colts:Â Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Many mock drafts, including this one by Kiper, project Arnold will be selected inside the first 15 picks. Following this month’s Rose Bowl loss to Michigan, Arnold hinted at a possible return to Alabama, saying, “We’ve got unfinished business.” However, despite a viral social media image indicating his return, Arnold never explicitly stated that he will return in 2024. He could be the first cornerback selected.
Seattle Seahawks:Â J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
17. Jacksonville Jaguars:Â Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
18. Cincinnati Bengals:Â JC Latham, OT, Alabama
19. Los Angeles Rams:Â Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
20. Pittsburgh Steelers:Â Kamari Lassiter, CB, UGA
Verse earned a first-team All-American and first-team All-ACC selection after earning 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2022. Despite being anticipated as a first-round draft pick, he returned to Tallahassee for the 2023 campaign. He started all 13 games during FSU’s undefeated regular season. Verse had 41 total tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He was chosen to the All-ACC First Team for the second consecutive season. The Associated Press also picked the defensive end to its second-team All-American list.
21. Miami Dolphins:Â Troy Fautanu, G, Washington
22. Philadelphia Eagles:Â Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
23. Houston Texans: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
24. Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
25. Green Bay Packers:Â Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Newton, the top interior defensive lineman on Kiper’s Big Board, was a two-time All-Big Ten selection with the Fighting Illini. This season, he had 47 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and team-highs in quarterback hurries (8) and blocked kicks (3). He’ll be a high-end first-round pick, and most estimates suggest that teammate Keith Randolph Jr., who plays the same position, will be selected early on Day 2.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:Â Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State
27. Arizona Cardinals:Â Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
28. Buffalo Bills:Â Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
29. Kansas City Chiefs:Â Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
According to Lions247, Robinson completed his Penn State career with All-Big Ten first-team honors during his junior season. Robinson recorded 15 tackles (12 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, one pass breakup, five quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles in ten games. He missed two games and a portion of a third due to an injury.
30. Detroit Lions:Â Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
31. Baltimore Ravens: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
32. San Francisco 49ers:Â Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Mims, a preseason All-SEC First Team selection at right tackle, appeared in only seven games this season after suffering an ankle injury in the conference opener against South Carolina that necessitated surgery. According to Dawgs247, Mims returned to the lineup against Ole Miss but re-injured his ankle early in the SEC Championship Game loss to Alabama, causing Georgia to reshuffle its offensive line. Injuries are partially to blame for the first-round slump.
Iowa Football: Beth Goetz reacts on Brian Ferentz’s firing and provides an update on Iowa’s offensive coordinator search.
Beth Goetz continued to win over fans on Tuesday afternoon during her introductory press conference as Iowa’s new athletic director. She was constantly asked about the offensive coordinator position. She provides up-to-date information.
Iowa City, Iowa— Beth Goetz continued to win over fans on Tuesday afternoon during her introductory press conference as Iowa’s new athletic director. Throughout the 40-minute press conference, Goetz discussed wanting to be at the vanguard of Name, Image, and Likeness, and was frequently asked about Iowa’s offensive coordinator position, which is currently available.
On October 30, 247Sports announced that offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz would not be back for the 2024 season. On Tuesday, Goetz was asked explicitly about the reaction to that decision over the previous three months.
“I think every decision we make is certainly an impactful one and certainly some are more visible than others,” Goetz went on to say. “Any choice concerning someone who has meant so much to this university and a program will always be difficult. But, at the end of the day, relationships and leadership are about creating trust, and you use the facts you have to make the best decision you can in the short and long term. You do it with your beliefs in mind, making sure you consider everyone who is affected, and then you proceed from there.”
Once the world learned of Goetz’s fate, many speculated on how it would affect his connection with the Ferentz family.
“Everything we do involves a chain of command. Coach Hayden Fry would constantly tell us, some of the younger guys—I believe he was referring to myself and Dan McCartney. “I could have used some time in the military to learn the chain of command,” Kirk Ferentz remarked in his first press conference after Brian’s firing. “I know he used the phrase insubordination, but I hope I was never guilty of it with him or anyone else. There is a chain of command for everything, which I respect, and we proceed.
Goetz and Ferentz’s work friendship has grown over the previous few weeks. For as fragmented as things could have gotten, there is no solid proof of a problem between them. Goetz only wants to learn more about Ferentz’s style of operation and how she can best assist him.
“I think over time, you continue to develop that trust and that respect that even in moments where some may agree and some don’t that they understand how you got to those decisions, and you work hard to ensure that while you may not agree on every account, that they know that you support them, you care about them, and certainly in the case of football, how passionate I am about continuing to support Coach Ferentz and that program moving forward.”
It’s been 86 days since Brian Ferentz announced his departure, but the Hawkeyes don’t appear to be panicking despite the lack of a coordinator. Goetz maintains confident in the process, and there should be some updates soon.
“I’m pretty pleased with where the process stands. “I know there are a lot of people waiting to hear what the final decision is and who will be joining that team,” Goetz stated. “I think all those puzzle pieces are going to come together here in short order.”
“I’ve worked quite closely with Coach. Certainly, we have a financial blueprint that we follow, and from there, we evaluate each and every present employee as well as those who may be considered for that position.”
The 247Sports 2024 rankings update includes the top arrivals and largest risers.
It’s rankings week on 247Sports! Here are the top arrivals and largest risers from the 2024 rankings update.
It’s rankings week at 247Sports, beginning with the 2024 top-150 update. After months of observing the senior class mature, evaluators discovered that many athletes have made significant improvements. These advancements have resulted in some players seeing their rankings rise, while others are making their debuts in the 247Sports top-150.
Here are the largest movers and top entrants from the most recent 247Sports 2024 rankings update:
JOSIAH MOSELEY: NO. 61 OVERALL (+61), PF (VILLANOVA COMMIT)
Josiah Moseley has clearly risen the most from the August update to the present, climbing 61 ranks in the last five months.
The Villanova signee is a 6-foot-6, 205-pound power forward from Round Rock (Texas) Stony Point who has elevated his game this season. He is a mismatch four-man with the ability to score in a variety of ways. Moseley has steadily progressed and moved up the ranks. His style of play appears to be a wonderful fit for Villanova’s system.
NEWCOMER — JUSTIN PIPPEN: NO. 60 OVERALL, CG
The top newcomer in the most recent 2024 update is Justin Pippen, the son of NBA star Scottie Pippen and younger brother of Memphis Grizzlies two-way standout Scotty Pippen Jr.
Justin, like his father and brother before him, is a late bloomer who has significantly improved his game over the last year. He possesses good positional size as a combo-guard due to his long arms, fluid athleticism, high IQ, and dynamic skill set. Pippen still has a lot of upside potential.
He is currently undecided, but he recently returned from his first official visit to Texas A&M and is in talks with several other top-tier universities.
TRENT PERRY: No. 50 overall (+33), CG (USC COMMIT).
Trent Perry, a future USC Trojan, is having a successful season with his Studio City (Calif.) Harvard Westlake club.
Perry has always been a tough, skilled, and aggressive combo-guard, but his senior season has seen him step up his game even more. He drills three-pointers, gets to his spots off of ball screens, distributes the ball to his teammates, and brings a lot of energy and effort to the court every time he plays. This season, he has been known for his production, consistency, and reliability.
NEWCOMER — JASE BUTLER: No. 95 overall, PG (Illinois Commitment)
Illinois appears to have found a sleeper point guard in the West, after beating out Stanford, UCSB, and San Francisco for Jase Butler.
Butler received his fourth star and made his debut in the top 100 after a great performance at The Classic at Damien in December. He’s a big-bodied, skillful guard with a high basketball IQ. Butler excels at ball screens, can drill three-pointers, and creates for himself and others.
SOMTO CYRIL: NO. 44 OVERALL (+24), C (KENTUCKY COMMIT)
To little surprise, Somto Cyril has emerged as a strong force for Overtime Elite this season.
His raw strength, energy, and athleticism are unparalleled, making him a formidable rebounder and rim protector. For his size (6-foot-10, 250 pounds), there isn’t a more powerful or explosive player in the senior class.
NEWCOMER — CJ BROWN: No. 119, PG (South Florida Commitment)
CJ Brown, an electrifying point guard, is swiftly gaining traction on the recruiting road.
Brown has been among the most improved players in the class. He steadily improves with each season. He has a lot of speed and bounce, but he’s now focusing on his offensive abilities. He’s developed into a powerful playmaker who is nearly impossible to keep out of the lane. He’s also improved his jump shot and decision making.
ANNOR BOATENG: No. 25 overall (+16), SF (MISSOURI COMMIT).
Annor Boateng’s jump from the mid-40s to the top-25 makes him one of the biggest risers in this edition.
Boateng was one of the most notable takeaways from the USA Basketball festivities this October. He demonstrated his effect as a defender and rebounder, as well as his progress in half-court situations. He’s a strong and agile forward who contributes energy and effort on the court. In addition, he is improving as a spotter from three and a straight-line driver.
Boateng is a perfect for Missouri. He will help the Tigers continue their rebrand under Dennis Gates.
NEWCOMER — ELIJAH CRAWFORD: NO. 143, CG (STANFORD COMMIT)
Elijah Crawford is settling into his new surroundings at Wolfeboro (NH) Brewster Academy this season.
The future Stanford Cardinal is a skilled guard with a tight grip who can put points on the board. However, he must continue to enhance his decision-making. Still, there is no shot or pass that Crawford isn’t afraid to make.
LARRY JOHNSON: NO. 62 OVERALL (+33), SF (CREIGHTON COMMIT)
Larry Johnson will increase Creighton’s athleticism and toughness.
The four-star wing is a defense dog. He is an explosive athlete who can slash in the half-court and finish around the hoop with either hand. He is still working on his jumper, but he will have a significant influence on defense and in transition.
NEWCOMER—ACE BUCKNER: NO. 134, CG (CLEMSON COMMITMENT)
This season, Ace Buckner’s La Porte (Ind.) La Lumiere team was making waves.
Buckner is a rookie this time around, but he was recently listed in the 247Sports top-150. After a quiet spring and summer, Buckner is back at it and back in the rankings.
He is the son of Greg Buckner, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ current assistant head coach and former Clemson Tiger. Ace will follow in his father’s footsteps, providing Brad Brownell and Co. with a fast guard who can score and create for others.
