April 24, 2012
IOWA CITY, IOWA – – Fourteen University of Iowa football players have been named to the team’s 2012 Leadership Group. Head coach Kirk Ferentz announced the group Tuesday following the completion of spring practice.
The group for the upcoming year includes five seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and three redshirt freshmen. A member of the 2012 incoming freshman class will be added in the fall. The purpose of the group is to help formulate policies and enter into team decision-making matters regarding the upcoming season.
“As always, I think it’s a good representation, a good group of guys,” said Ferentz. “I think it’s a good group, and they’ll do a good job. I’ll actually meet with those guys this week, and we’ll talk about a few things. The coaching staff looks forward to working with the group as we shape policies and decisions regarding the upcoming season. This is a very important group to all of us involved with Iowa football.”
The five seniors are DL Steve Bigach, DB Greg Castillo, OL James Ferentz, DB Micah Hyde and QB James Vandenberg. The juniors include LS Casey Kreiter, LB James Morris, FB Brad Rogers, and OL Brett Van Sloten. WR Kevonte Martin-Manley and OL Brandon Scherff represent the sophomore class, while the three redshirt freshmen are LB Quinton Alston, OL Austin Blythe and QB Jake Rudock.
The 2012 Hawkeye Leadership Group includes:
Quinton Alston LB Freshman Sicklerville, N.J.
Steve Bigach DL Senior Cleveland, Ohio
Austin Blythe OL Freshman Williamsburg, Iowa
Greg Castillo DB Senior Mount Laurel, N.J.
James Ferentz OL Senior Iowa City, Iowa
Micah Hyde DB Senior Fostoria, Ohio
Casey Kreiter LS Junior DeWitt, Iowa
Kevonte Martin-Manley WR Sophomore Pontiac, Mich.
James Morris LB Junior Solon, Iowa
Brad Rogers FB Junior Toledo, Ohio
Jake Rudock QB Freshman Weston, Fla.
Brandon Scherff OL Sophomore Denison, Iowa
James Vandenberg QB Senior Keokuk, Iowa
Brett Van Sloten OL Junior Decorah, Iowa