Iowa's offensive coordinator Greg Davis retired after five years with the program, and Kirk Ferentz replaced him with his 34-year-old son Brian who had spent the previous five years as the Hawkeyes' offensive line coach. Don't expect the Hawkeyes to move on from their pro-style run-first offense under their new offensive coordinator as the offense will probably look very similar to previous seasons. However, the Hawkeyes will see a noticeable difference at the quarterback position as they replace C.J. Beathard.
QB
“We’d probably do a coin toss, literally do a coin toss.”
This is what Kirk Ferentz told the media after Iowa wrapped up their Spring season without making a decision on their starting quarterback for 2017.
Former three-star recruit sophomore Nathan Stanley is the favorite to win the job, but junior Tyler Wiegers is still in the hunt. Whoever wins the job will, unfortunately, be a significant downgrade from C.J. Beathard, but they'll have the benefit of handing the ball off to one of the nation's best running backs.
RB
Akrum Wadley showed promise as an in 2015 rushing for 496 yards on 6.0 yards per carry with 7 TD's as a sophomore. Wadley became even more efficient on a higher volume of snaps in 2016 with 1,081 yards rushing on 6.4 yards per carry with 10 touchdowns. Wadley will finally be the feature back for the Hawkeyes next season with the graduation of Leshun Daniels, and he could be a dark-horse Heisman candidate as the bell cow of this Iowa offense.
WR/TE
The Hawkeyes don't return a single wide receiver who played more than 150 snaps last season, but they will see the return of Matt Vandeberg after he suffered a season-ending injury at the beginning of last year. Vandeberg gained 700+ yards receiving with 4 TD's in his last full season in 2015, and he will be the clear number one receiver for the Hawkeyes' new QB in 2017.
OL
The Hawkeyes always have one of the nation's best offensive lines, and they will continue that tradition in 2017 as they return four starters along with their most experienced backup from last season. Guard Sean Welsh, center James Daniels, and tackle Ike Boettger could all be all-conference players and legitimate NFL prospects by the end of next year.
He gets it done in the running game and as a pass catcher. Is there a more underrated HB in the nation than Iowa's Akrum Wadley? pic.twitter.com/nUjDyjsC5H
— PFF College Football (@PFF_College) June 3, 2017
With Akrum Wadley running behind a dominant offensive line, the Hawkeyes may not have to worry about who wins the quarterback job. This 2017 Iowa team will be the most Kirk Ferentz team of all-time as they may never pass the ball.
