Linebacker U???

Yeah we all know OSU and PSU can turn out the LBs but just look at what Iowa has produced lately. Everyone knows about Abdul Hodge (drafted by Packers but hurt both knees so they released him and now with the Bengals) and Chad Greenway (drafted by Vikings and starting OLB). Last year our LBs were stout to say the least. MLB Angerer had 5 INTs and played so well he beat out Coleman who started more games in 2007-08 season. OLB Edds has been just a tremendous player. This will be his 3rd year as a starter. The biggest surprise last year was OLB Hunter. All the preseason talk was about how good Tarpinian is. When Tarp got hurt during Summer camp, the job was handed over to Hunter. Hunter started off like a rookie even though it was his sophomore year but he finished looking like a 3yr starting senior. Hunter came into Iowa with a lot of hype being one of the best OLBs in high school. Rivals rated him the 6th best in the Nation in 2006.

So it doesn't go without saying we have a lot of depth this year at LB with Tarp healthy, Coleman almost transferred but decided to stick it out (good thinking bro), and Tyler Nielsen at the other OLB who played well in the US Army All American game his senior year. Rumor has it Coleman is going to try to Red Shirt this year to keep 2 more years of eligibility after Angerer departs.

Future LBs are on there way in... Iowa has 3 commits so far in 2010 and all 3 are projected LBs. Iowa has 4 incoming freshman LBs this summer. But I highly doubt all these kids will stick it out at LB. Coach Ferentz is really good at finding spots for kids where they can succeed. We have had many kids come in at LB but leave playing another position with great success. Mitch King and Matt Kroul came in as LBs but ended up being outstanding undersized DLinemen. Mitch was signed by Titans and Kroul by the Jets. Gray, Morris, and Poggi all have about the same measurables. Gray was more highly sought after than the others but all three of these kids have the potential to be big time LBs at Iowa. They are going to help Iowa become Linebacker U!!!