April 15, 2015
Wallace-Morgan-B Ferentz News Conference Photos 
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By DARREN MILLER
hawkeyesports.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa football recruiting coordinator Seth Wallace, defensive line coach Reese Morgan, and offensive line coach Brian Ferentz took turns at the microphone Wednesday as the tour of spring news conferences continued in the Stew and LeNore Hansen Football Performance Center.
Wallace, who is also a defensive assistant coach, focused on recruiting. He said the Hawkeyes have “cast a wider net” in their pursuit of top high school talent and the tactic is paying off.
“We’re headed in the right direction,” said Wallace, who is in his fifth season at Iowa. “The big thing is continuing to follow the foundations of this program with recruiting who we’re looking for. That hasn’t changed.”
There has been an emphasis placed on being more aggressive on the front end of recruiting.
“We’ve had a lot more kids on campus and even during spring practice we’ve had more than we’ve ever had before,” Wallace said.
To read the entire transcript of Wallace’s news conference, click HERE.
Morgan, in his 16th season with the Hawkeyes, called the defensive line “a work in progress.”
Iowa lists seniors Nate Meier and Drew Ott as starters at left and right end, respectively. Junior Jaleel Johnson is listed as the starter at left tackle with sophomore Nathan Bazata at right tackle.
“I really like the group of guys that we’re working with,” Morgan said. “They really care about each other and they’re working hard. They want to get better and they are extremely coachable.”
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“We’re headed in the right direction. The big thing is continuing to follow the foundations of this program with recruiting who we’re looking for. That hasn’t changed.”
Seth Wallace
UI football recruiting coordinator |
Also listed on the two-deep are freshman Matt Nelson (left end), junior Faith Ekakitie (left tackle), junior Kyle Terlouw (right tackle), and freshman Parker Hesse (right end).
“We are making mild improvement, but we have to have a little bit more sense of urgency about improving these next six practices,” Morgan said.
Ironically, three players listed on the Hawkeye depth chart at defensive line played eight-man football in high school: Bazata, Meier, and Ott.
“There’s other people recruiting them, but not Division I schools,” Morgan said with a laugh. “Football players can come from anywhere and it has everything to do with the type of person they are.”
To read the entire transcript of Morgan’s news conference, click HERE.
One of the goals this spring for Ferentz is to develop players who can contribute on the outside of Iowa’s offensive line. Top candidates include junior Cole Croston, sophomores Boone Myers and Ike Boettger, and freshman Keagan Render.
“We’re trying to find some guys to fill the big shoes that were left behind (with the graduation of Outland Award winner Brandon Scherff and 16-game starter Andrew Donnal),” Ferentz said. “Then as a unit, try to develop consistency. Hopefully we can find more than five guys that can play for us.”
The Hawkeyes are more experienced inside. Senior Austin Blythe moves back to center and senior Jordan Walsh has started 23 games, including the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl. Sophomore Sean Welsh is listed as the starter at left guard. He started seven games at left guard and two at right guard last season.
Ferentz is in his fourth season on the Hawkeye coaching staff. This will be his first season as run game coordinator.
To read the entire transcript of Ferentz’s news conference, click HERE.
