By Brendan Stiles
HawkeyeDrive.com
Below is a PDF from the Iowa sports information department featuring the complete transcript from Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz’s spring football press conference on Tuesday in Iowa City:
By Brendan Stiles
HawkeyeDrive.com
The Iowa Hawkeyes will play one night game in 2012, and it be against an opponent Iowa has a history of playing in prime time against.
When Penn State visits Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 20, it will be under the lights as the Big Ten announced Tuesday the Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions will square off in a contest set to start at 7 p.m. Central. The game will be televised nationally that evening by the Big Ten Network.
It will mark the third time in the last four seasons where Iowa and Penn State play each other after sunset, with the previous two occurrences resulting in Hawkeye victories in both 2009 and 2010. Iowa won at Penn State 21-10 back in 2009 and the last meeting between the two teams at Kinnick Stadium was a 24-3 win for the Hawkeyes in 2010. The 2009 meeting at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., was showcased by ESPN’s “College GameDay” and televised nationally by ABC.
Kickoff times for Iowa’s 11 other games in 2012 all remain to be determined at later times.
By Brendan Stiles
HawkeyeDrive.com
As he waits to find out this weekend whether he’ll be selected in the 2012 NFL Draft, former Iowa offensive lineman Adam Gettis took time recently to speak with HawkeyeDrive.com about what his future has in store for him, as well as reflect back on his Hawkeye career.
Should Gettis be among the 253 names called in New York City, he could potentially be one of three former Iowa offensive linemen taken in this year’s draft alongside former tackles Markus Zusevics and Riley Reiff, who is projected to go in the first round.
Below is the complete transcript of HawkeyeDrive.com‘s interview with Gettis:
HawkeyeDrive.com (HD): I’ll start off here by asking how have the last four months have gone for you from your last game in the Insight Bowl against Oklahoma up until now.
Adam Gettis: It has been going well. I worked out in Arizona for three months. I went down to PEP [Peformance Enhancement Professionals] and worked out with Ian Danney. Then I came back to Iowa City for the Pro Day. I think I had a decent Pro Day. It worked out well. Then I stayed down here and kept on working out.
HD: So just to clarify, you’re still in Iowa City right now then?
Gettis: Yes, I’m still in Iowa City.
HD: What are some of your thoughts on this process in general as you’ve been going through it?
Gettis: It’s a long process. It’s a very long process. But you know, in the long run, there’s nothing but good things for you in the end, so you can’t complain. You just want to do your best at every part of the process. That’s what really matters.
HD: Now what was it like for you at the NFL Combine to be there and to also see guys like Riley Reiff and Markus Zusevics there with you, guys that you spent the last two seasons together along the offensive line with?
Gettis: It was good. I didn’t get to see Riley and Zus too much because they were in the other group — they split us into two halves. But I was glad to see them again. They’re my buddies. I got to see Marvin [McNutt] and those guys while I was down there, so it was cool to see some Hawk stuff.
HD: One thing I have to ask you about from when you were there was your 40-time, because I got up that morning, turned it on, and watched you run a 4.91 40. Is that as fast as you’ve ran, or have you run faster before?
Gettis: Um, since high school, that was the fastest I’ve ran. So I guess that’s the fastest I’ve ran in awhile.
HD: So was that something that even caught you by surprise then, I take it?
Gettis: Yeah, I was surprised a little bit. But like I said, I had some good training from Coach Doyle and Ian Danney in Arizona, so I knew it would be a decent time.
HD: What were some of the things NFL personnel there were saying to you after you ran that and after your workout in general?
Gettis: They were a little surprised with the run. You know, I don’t think anybody knew an O-lineman was going to run that fast. But they were all saying, “You’re a small guy. You’re athletic. But you don’t really need to be a 320-, 330-pounder to play in the NFL as long as you’re able to hold your own and hold the big guys back like we do every day in the Big Ten.”
HD: You said part of the feedback was them saying “You’re a small guy.” How often do you hear about your size?
Gettis: All the time, from a lot of the coaches. They all say I’m a little on the small side, but that’s usually no problem. As long as I keep my athleticism and keep my playing style, I should be fine.
HD: Was there anything in particular about your playing style that has impressed them?
Gettis: A lot of the coaches say that they like the way I finish guys on the field, put guys on the ground and just keep playing through the whistle. That’s the main thing.
HD: What would you say are the biggest strides you’ve made as a player from that first start you made in 2009 against UNI in place of Julian Vandervelde up until your last game? Where do you feel you’ve become the player you are today?
Gettis: Well, first of all, I want to thank Coach [Reese] Morgan and Coach [Kirk] Ferentz for working with me so much from ’09 to 2011. They were the biggest part in me changing from that point. But I would say the mental part of it. I think it’s all mental. You just got to buy into the Iowa football mentality and you’ve got to do it from Day One.
HD: You laughed when I mentioned the UNI game. How often do you think back to that whenever you get a chance to look back on your career?
Gettis: Well, I think about it every once in a while. That wasn’t a great game for us. But you just want to build on it. That’s what I think about. I try to build on it and just get even better every day.
HD: Was there ever a moment in your Iowa career once you became a regular starter up front that you started thinking playing in the NFL someday could become a reality for you?
Gettis: For me, I wasn’t even thinking about the NFL at the time. I was thinking I just want to get on the field and actually play. Mike Daniels started, and we were roommates. That really kind of caught me up to play because I didn’t want to be the only guy out of our class that wasn’t able to play. So I just said, “I need to get on it and get that Iowa mentality. It’s time to go. It’s time to play.”
HD: So was the NFL something you never thought about at all until after this past season, or was it something you just kept in the back of your mind?
Gettis: To tell you the truth, I never really thought about it. I was just thinking about the next week and trying to win the game. I knew the more games we won, the better we did as a team. That’s all I ever really thought about. I never really thought about the NFL.
HD: When you have spoken with teams, have they pretty much pinned you down as a guard, or have there been discussions about you maybe playing another position such as center or even tackle?
Gettis: I’ve heard both center and guard, and then some guys want you as a fill-in guy, so both guard and tackle. Both sides — left guard and right guard.
HD: Do you have a preference as to which side you play on — left or right?
Gettis: No, not at all.
HD: May I ask who your agent is?
Gettis: Blake Baratz [The Institute for Athletes].
HD: When you do have a chance to talk to some of your former teammates who are already in the NFL, what sort of advice have you gotten as you’ve gone through this process?
Gettis: Just don’t listen to the hype. A couple of guys I talked to were Adrian [Clayborn] and Julian. A lot of the things they were saying as I was going through the Combine was just don’t listen to the hype. Keep your head level. Make sure you do everything right. You’re always on time. The stuff we do at Iowa, so just be yourself. Those were the biggest things. Just do what we do at Iowa, and you’ll be just fine.
HD: How many visits have you been able to make with teams as far as them giving you private workouts or simply just wanting to get to know you more?
Gettis: I’ve had several private workouts at Iowa. But I had a workout with the Bears at the Bears’ workout facility.
HD: How was that? I mean, with you being from Illinois, I would imagine that had to be a cool experience for you.
Gettis: Oh yeah. It was pretty cool. I got to meet some good guys. I sat down with Coach [Mike] Tice and the general manager [Phil Emery]. We just sat down, talked a little bit, got up on the board and wrote some stuff up, watched some film. Then we went in the Walter Payton Center and did a nice, quick workout. It was good.
HD: Was that surreal for you to just walk around an NFL facility like that and see how a team operates on a daily basis?
Gettis: It was surreal pulling up to the building. You know, coming from Chicago, everybody loves the Bears, especially my family. My family loves that team. But it was just surreal just being able to drive up to the driveway and thinking, “One day, I might be able to play here, or one day, I might be able to play in the NFL, period.” It was cool
HD: Do you have any plans for how you’ll be spending the draft weekend?
Gettis: Yeah, I’m going to be at my grandmother’s house in Chicago and I’m going to hang out there with just family and pretty much hang out for the three days.
HD: Have teams given any inkling as to where they might take you if they draft you, or is it all something where it doesn’t matter as long as you end up somewhere?
Gettis: I’m just at the point where I’m hoping to be drafted. That would be nice. But as long as I get into a camp, I’m happy.
HD: So if the scenario plays out where you aren’t drafted, but are able to sign with a team as a free agent, it’s something you’d still be able to appreciate?
Gettis: Oh yeah. You know, it’s always nice to get drafted. It’s something you dream of. But if it gets to that point, I’ll just work my butt off in camp when I get there.
HD: Your former head coach recently said he expects to see teams end up selecting both you and Markus on draft weekend. What does that mean to you to receive that type of endorsement from Coach Ferentz?
Gettis: You know, Coach Ferentz is, I believe, the best head coach in college football. Any time you get him to say something like that, it means a lot, especially to me. He took that chance on me coming out of high school. He took that chance on me being able to play. Whenever you get a guy to say something like that, it’s an honor.
HD: When you do get a chance to reflect back on your career at Iowa, what are the things that you’re going to remember most?
Gettis: I’d say the biggest thing is just on game day. Getting ready with the guys. Everybody has their headphones on. Nobody’s saying anything. When it comes time to come out of that tunnel, everybody’s holding hands and you got the music playing and 70,000 fans screaming. That’s probably the biggest thing I’ll remember.
HD: Last question I have for you here — Regardless of whether of not you end up getting drafted, why do you believe you’ll be a productive player at the next level?
Gettis: I believe it’s because of the backing I’ve gotten from Iowa. You know, the great coaches we have, playing some of the best players in the nation such as [Penn State’s] Devon Still, Big Mike’s on the best, and [Michigan State’s] Jerel Worthy. You play those guys week in and week out. I’m playing with Big Mike every week and just having a good time with those guys. Like I said, we’ve been playing some of the best people in the nation. All it does is it help me carry over to the next level.
By Brendan Stiles
HawkeyeDrive.com
As Jordan Bernstine waits in anticipation to find out if his name will be called during the 2012 NFL Draft this weekend, the former Iowa safety took time recently to talk with HawkeyeDrive.com about what his future has in store for him, as well as reflect back on his Hawkeye career.
Below is a complete transcript of HawkeyeDrive.com‘s interview with Bernstine:
HawkeyeDrive.com (HD): Take me through what the last four months have been like for you, from the moment that you left the field following the Insight Bowl against Oklahoma up until now.
Jordan Bernstine: Well, since the Insight Bowl, I was down training in Huntsville, Ala., with Andy McCloy [Body Creations, Inc.]. He’s a great trainer and he got me prepared for my Pro Day. I’ve just been talking with teams, interviewing, and just doing workouts. It has been a different process because I’ve been kind of flying here and there and moving around a little bit more than I’m used to. But it has been an interesting process and I’ve been taking it all in stride.
HD: You mentioned meeting with teams and flying around. What has that experience been like in terms of going from one part of the country to talk a team and then suddenly, you’re going to the other part of the country?
Bernstine: It’s definitely a different experience. Like I said, I’m not used to it, but I can get used to it. I mean, just flying around, the trips are pretty quick. A day or two turnover. I’m back in Iowa City training now. I mean, it’s pretty humbling.
HD: You played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl out in California last January. When you were down there for that, how would you describe that experience of playing in a game of that magnitude with guys you aren’t familiar with, but are in the same boat as?
Bernstine: Yeah, it was definitely a good experience. I got a chance to be down there with some good players from schools all around the country and just being able to socialize with them, as well as be with them on the field, it was a good experience.
HD: Was there anything from that experience that stood out?
Bernstine: Yeah. Just being around NFL coaches and guys that played in the NFL as far as our coaching staffs. I mean, just being around them, being around an NFL atmosphere. There were a bunch of guys that were talking to us and stuff like that and meetings. Just getting that outlook, it was definitely helpful.
HD: What has been the overall tone of the conversations you’ve had with the teams you’ve met?
Bernstine: The feedback that I’ve gotten is teams like my versatility and explosiveness and just know that I could help out somewhere with special teams immediately. I definitely like that and that’s an area where I feel I would be able to help a team out early. They ask about my background. A lot of teams didn’t know about me just because I only got that one year of starting at Iowa, but that one year and playing in that system, I felt like it was pretty productive and I just helped myself there.
HD: You mentioned only starting one season and you had to take a medical redshirt in 2009 after injuring your ankle. At that point in time, did you ever think this would be a reality for you? And if so, at what point did you start thinking you had a realistic shot to someday make an NFL roster?
Bernstine: I mean, it has always been a dream of mine to play at the next level. When I injured my ankle, I broke it. It was a setback, you know. I just always have a pretty optimistic outlook on life and I just got to keep going. It was just another bump in the road. I rehabbed hard from that and came back even stronger, I guess you would say. It helped me be able to overcome obstacles and just still stay positive and continue to work hard.
HD: What did it mean for you to get that opportunity last season, to finally be inserted into the starting defensive backfield and getting a chance to play on a regular basis?
Bernstine: It meant a lot. I mean, it was something that I had to work hard for. It definitely was not given to me. Coach [Phil] Parker was our D-Backs coach and he was a great coach. He just made it known that I was going to have to earn it, that I wasn’t going to be given a spot. So I went out there and I practiced hard every day and finally earned the starting spot and just tried to go out and perform every day.
HD: This is a two-part question: First, were you disappointed you weren’t invited to the NFL Combine? And secondly, was not getting that invite motivation for you as you entered your Pro Day?
Bernstine: I wouldn’t say I was disappointed, but I would’ve liked to have gotten that invite, just to be around the other players at my position and just with all the other players around the country that were performing at a high level. I mean, it was definitely a motivating factor because I knew I could put up these numbers and just go out and kind of show the teams what I can do.
HD: What went through your mind as you went through your Pro Day and saw all these NFL scouts who congregated down here to Iowa City for it have their eyes on you as you worked out?
Bernstine: I mean, it really wasn’t that big of a shock. I knew that’s what it was going to be like and it was more of a situation where I knew I had to rise to the occasion. So I just went out there and just tried to give it my best and put up some pretty good numbers.
HD: Funny you say “rise to the occasion,” because one number I have to ask you about is your vertical leap, which was 41 inches. Is that the highest you’ve ever jumped?
Bernstine: Actually, it’s not. I’ve actually jumped a little higher. I mean, I was satisfied with that performance. I just went out and jumped.
HD: You said you’ve jumped higher. When would that have taken place? During another workout or a pickup basketball game?
Bernstine: It was during workouts over the years. But that was the highest that I’ve jumped using the system that we used on Pro Day, which is just the things that you jump up and touch. At Iowa, we usually test the vertical on the pad. But I think the one we used on Pro Day was a little more accurate.
HD: Well, the reason I asked is because I looked at some of the vertical numbers from the NFL Combine and none of the DBs that were there had a 41 jump like you had at your Pro Day.
Bernstine: Oh yeah. I would’ve loved to be at the Combine and just perform there. But it didn’t work out that way, so I got a chance at Pro Day to show that.
HD: As you’ve gone through the process, have you found yourself liking certain teams more than others and hoping that one of the teams who left a good impression on you ends up taking you if they have the chance?
Bernstine: Um, yeah. I have some teams that I’ve kept in contact with a little more than others. Those teams, they just explained to me that they like me a lot. They don’t know where they’d take me or how I’d get to the camp, but they just explained that they would love to have me in camp, however it is that I get there, whether they draft me or what. But I’m just looking forward to the opportunity and just wait to get a shot.
HD: Who is your agent right now, if you don’t mind me asking?
Bernstine: My agent is James Martin from OTG Sports.
HD: The other thing I want to clear up quickly: You mentioned training in Huntsville. How have you been able to divide up the time between there and Iowa City?
Bernstine: Yes, that’s where I did my Pro Day preparation. So leading up until Pro Day, that’s where I was at working out. Since then, I’ve been back in Iowa City with Coach [Chris] Doyle and been working with the Iowa staff.
HD: I saw that your uncle, Rod, played in the NFL. Has he given you any advice along the way as you prepare for your opportunity?
Bernstine: Yeah. I talk with my uncle all the time. He has just kind of telling me to keep an open mind. Like, don’t try to project myself at a position in the draft. Don’t get down on myself if I’m not drafted here or there. I just have to try to keep an open mind and just wait to get that shot. Once I get that opportunity, I feel like I’m going to perform at a high level and just try to do whatever I can do to help the team.
HD: Have you found yourself talking to any former teammates lately, maybe someone like an Adrian Clayborn or Tyler Sash who just went through this last year?
Bernstine: I talk to those guys a little bit. I talk to Adrian sometimes. I talked with Sash a few weeks ago. They’ve just been brief conversations, just catching up and seeing how they’re doing, while at the same time learning a little more about the process.
HD: What have they told you about the process? I would imagine it’s completely different now as opposed to when your uncle played.
Bernstine: Yeah, it’s a lot different than when my uncle played and I think he was just in a totally different situation. He was a first-round draft pick. They’ve just told me that I’ve done all that I can do, as far as putting myself in a good position. I mean, I performed well at Pro Day, I’ve done interviews, all this stuff. So now it’s just kind of a waiting game.
HD: What are your plans this weekend while the draft is going on? Are you going to be watching every minute of it, or is it something you’re just trying to completely avoid watching altogether until you get a call?
Bernstine: I haven’t decided exactly. I don’t think it’ll be something that I’ll be watching every minute of. I might glance here or there. For the most part, I’m just going to relax, probably be around family, have a few friends there and just kind of relax like it’s a normal weekend.
HD: You talked earlier about scenarios that teams laid out for you. Have you been able to plan out scenarios on your end yet as far as what happens if you get drafted, or what happens if a team decides to bring you on board as a free agent?
Bernstine: No, I haven’t necessarily figured that out yet. I’ve talked about it a little bit with my family and agent and stuff like that, but it’s just something that you’ve got to play by ear and just cross the bridge when you get to it.
HD: Why do you believe you’ll be a productive player in the NFL?
Bernstine: I feel like I’ll be a productive player in the NFL for the fact that I feel like my best football is ahead of me. Like I said, I only had one year of starting at safety. I’ve only played safety for one season, a few months. I’m still learning the position, so once I get into a system and get more reps at safety, I feel like I’ll be able to perform better. Also, I feel like I have that versatility where I can help out on special teams immediately and go do whatever I can there. I’m hungry, so I’m just going to go out and give it my all. I mean, you only get one shot.
HD: You mentioned playing safety. Have teams discussed having you maybe play corner at all, or are they all pretty much on board with you as a safety since that’s what you played at Iowa last year?
Bernstine: I think safety is the mindset that they have, but they’ve also told me they like the fact that I can play corner. I played corner at Iowa for three years, so they like that I can play corner. That’s in my bag. Also nickel-back, and I can cover. A lot of teams know that I like to hit, but one thing I think that some teams don’t know is that I can go out there and cover if I’m on an island and I have the ability to do that.
HD: Last question — When you look back on your time at Iowa, what are you going to remember the most about playing for the Hawkeyes?
Bernstine: One thing that I’ll remember most is just meeting these guys I’ve built these relationships with. Guys like Marvin McNutt, Shaun Prater, guys like that. They’re some of my best friends to the day. I mean, that’s something that you don’t really think about when you think about your time at Iowa. You think about a big hit or a big play here. I like those relationships and things that I’m going to have, even after football.
By Brendan Stiles
HawkeyeDrive.com
The Iowa Hawkeyes will wear throwback uniforms honoring the 1921 and 1922 squads on Sept. 8 when they play their home opener against Iowa State. The announcement of this came Friday afternoon. Iowa went a combined 14-0 during those two seasons en route to consecutive Big Ten titles.
This marks the third time the Hawkeyes have worn throwback uniforms for a game, with the other two occurrences coming in 2004 against Kent State and more recently during a game against Ball State in 2010. Unlike those two throwback games however, the uniform design for this occasion is one that consists of a blend of black and gold in the jerseys to go along with gold helmets and pants. The numbers will be in white and there won’t be any player names on the uniforms.
The last time throwback uniforms were used during an Iowa-Iowa State football contest was in 2007, when the Cyclones wore throwbacks honoring the 1977 season in which the intrastate rivalry resumed. Iowa State won that contest, 15-13.
Iowa’s game against Iowa State will be the first of a four straight games played inside Kinnick Stadium after the Hawkeyes open their 2012 season in Chicago on Sept. 1 against Northern Illinois.
The Bubble in its final hour before being deflated Friday morning in Iowa City.
By Brendan Stiles
HawkeyeDrive.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — “The Bubble,” which had been used as the Iowa Hawkeyes’ indoor practice facility since 1985, was deflated Friday morning as part of ongoing renovations being done to the Hayden Fry Football Complex. The process lasted just over a half-hour before it was officially ruled as deflated.
The space occupied by the Bubble will be used as 689 additional parking spaces that will be used for home football games. Iowa associate athletics director Jane Meyer said Friday the plan is for Phase One of the renovations to be completed by Sept. 5, three days before the Hawkeyes’ home opener against Iowa State. The actual practice facility used by the football team is on pace to be completed by August.
“When it was put in, as we all know, it was very appropriate and served its purpose,” Meyer said. “It has gone beyond its lifetime.
“We’re not going to be just constantly blowing air in this thing. We’ll have a much more energy-efficient building in our new practice facility.”
As a result of the ongoing construction, Iowa’s spring practices had all been conducted inside Kinnick Stadium.
By Brendan Stiles
HawkeyeDrive.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Below are videos shot Saturday during Iowa’s open spring practice at Kinnick Stadium. This was the 12th of 15 spring practices the Hawkeyes have conducted thus far.
The first three videos came from the “quarter” portion of the practice, which was a controlled scrimmage that took place over a span of 15 football minutes. The last two videos are from head coach Kirk Ferentz’s post-practice media session.
SCRIMMAGE VIDEO #1:
SCRIMMAGE VIDEO #2:
SCRIMMAGE VIDEO #3:
KIRK FERENTZ PART 1:
KIRK FERENTZ PART 2:
By Brendan Stiles
HawkeyeDrive.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — As the Iowa Hawkeyes entered their ninth of 15 spring practices on Wednesday, one player has become the name of heavy discussion around the Hayden Fry Football Complex — junior tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz.
The reasoning is valid. Entering this spring listed at 6-7, 265 pounds, Fiedorowicz is someone who will have an ability to create matchup problems for opposing defenses.
Junior defensive end Dominic Alvis likened Fiedorowicz’s physique to that of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.
“They’ve got similar builds and both are very powerful dudes,” Alvis said. “He’s going to have an impact for us this fall, no doubt.”
First-year offensive coordinator Greg Davis made a strong comment himself Wednesday, saying he had never coached a tight end like Fiedorowicz in 39 years of coaching.
Davis went on to say there would be instances where a tight end like Fiedorowicz could be lined up on the outside instead of a wide receiver and that he has been used in situations where Iowa has worked on its empty package during practice.
“He knows how to get big in the paint,” Davis said. “He knows how to get there and box out backwards and that kind of stuff.”
Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis discusses how the offense has looked in spring practices during his press conference with the local media on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the Hayden Fry Football Complex in Iowa City.
Expect use of more no-huddle
As far as Davis is concerned, the more no-huddle Iowa uses in 2012, the better.
The former Texas offensive coordinator made mention of how the previous six practices Iowa conducted prior to Wednesday were spent installing bits of no-huddle.
“We’re still not greased up and totally comfortable with it, but we’re heading in the right direction,” Davis said.
But while the no-huddle looks to be a big part of the Hawkeye offense this upcoming season, Davis also made clear he can’t have the offense be exclusively no-huddle. He said how much it’s used will vary game-by-game based on the opponent and how it schemes defensively.
“There are some things you can do in no-huddle that forces the action, forces the tempo, changes the complexion of a game, changes momentum sometimes,” Davis said. “So we just want to be able to jump in it whenever we choose to.”
Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker discusses how the defense has looked in spring practices during his press conference with the local media on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the Hayden Fry Football Complex in Iowa City.
Working with the front four
After coaching defensive backs for the past 13 seasons, first-year defensive coordinator Phil Parker has found himself working less with the secondary and more with the defensive line as he goes through the first spring in his new coaching role.
Unlike the secondary, which has a pair of returning starters in senior cornerback Micah Hyde and junior free safety Tanner Miller, the defensive line remains a work in progress. Parker said anywhere up to 7-8 players could used up front at given points during the season, much like the rotating being done during the early part of 2011.
“A lot of them are young and trying to understand the footwork and their assignments right now,” Parker said. “A lot of them are showing everybody that they’re willing to learn and giving great effort, so we’re happy with that.”
One player expecting to get back in the mix this summer is the aforementioned Alvis, who had secured a starting spot at defensive end last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury against Michigan last November. Alvis continues to rehab from that knee injury and in the process, finds himself taking what Parker called “mental reps” with defensive line coach Reese Morgan.
“We’ve been able to pick apart together what the offense does and the tendencies,” Alvis said. “You really learn, more conceptually, the game of football. It’s a game of chess, and it’s great to have Coach Morgan as a resource to be able to do that.”
Injury update
Senior wide receiver Keenan Davis and junior linebacker Shane DiBona are both dealing with unspecified injuries that will sideline them the remainder of the spring. Neither player was listed on the updated 2-deep released Wednesday by the school. Davis had been the No. 1 receiver throughout the spring, while DiBona had been listed second-string behind junior Christian Kirksey at the LEO position.
Both Parker and Greg Davis declined to comment during their press conferences Wednesday on those two injuries. Head coach Kirk Ferentz was also unavailable for comment.
Tidbits surrounding open practice
While it won’t be the final practice Iowa conducts this spring, the Hawkeyes will hold their annual spring practice open to the public on April 14 at Kinnick Stadium. Gates are scheduled to open at 11 a.m. Central, with the two-hour practice set to start at 12 p.m. Central. The final portion will include a full 11-on-11 scrimmage.
Those unable to make it to Kinnick Stadium for the open practice can watch it live via stream on BTN.com. The Big Ten Network is scheduled to show the practice on a tape delay basis at a time to be determined. Brent Balbinot will handle the play-by-play, while former Hawkeye and current Philadelphia Eagle offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde will provide color commentary.
By Brendan Stiles
HawkeyeDrive.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — On Wednesday, three members of the Iowa football team spoke to the local media to discuss how things have gone two weeks into spring practices.
Below is audio from the following players, all of whom are juniors — linebacker Anthony Hitchens, free safety Tanner Miller and defensive end Dominic Alvis:
Anthony Hitchens, April 11, 2012
Anthony Hitchens, junior linebacker
Tanner Miller, April 11, 2012
Tanner Miller, junior free safety
Dominic Alvis, April 11, 2012
OFFENSE:
WR 11 Martin-Manley, 8 Shumpert
LT 68 Scherff, 78 Donnal
LG 60 Tobin, 50 Clark
C 53 Ferentz, 59 Bofelli, 58 Simmons
RG 63 Blythe/59 Bofelli, 65 Walsh
RT 70 Van Sloten, 76 MacMillan
TE 86 Fiedorowicz, 85 Derby
QB 16 Vandenberg, 15 Rudock
WR 83 Staggs, 23 Cotton
RB 32 Bullock, 30 Johnson
FB 38 Rogers, 92 Gimm
DEFENSE:
DE 99 Gaglione, 98 Hardy
DT 97 Cooper, 75 Tsopanides
DT 54 Bigach, 90 Trinca-Pasat
DE 94 McMinn, 49 Spears
OLB 20 Kirksey, 39 Perry
MLB 44 Morris, 52 Alston
WLB 31 Hitchens, 55 Collins/36 Fisher
LCB 19 Lowery, 27 Lomax
SS 21 Law, 13 Donatell/10 Sleeper
FS 5 Miller, 48 Lowdermilk/40 Swanson
RCB 18 Hyde, 2 Castillo
SPECIAL TEAMS:
P 14 Wienke, 15 Mullings
PK 96 Meyer, 1 Koehn, 8 Mossbrucker
LS 61 Kreiter