IOWA CITY, Iowa - Selecting potential contributors from the true freshmen class year to year is a challenging but necessary task. It's too much fun predicting who might be the next stars even if it can be a fool's errand.
NCAA rule changes during the last decade allows first-year players competing in four or fewer games to red shirt. That can complicate prognostications as student-athletes ascend and descend during a season. Injuries regularly play a role as well.
All that is to say take this list with a grain of salt. The picture in early August frequently looks different in the middle of October.
At this point, here are five true freshmen positioned to contribute beyond four games:
5. Justice Sullivan, 6-2, 233, LB/DE - The son of former Iowa State basketball standout Jake Sullivan, Justice finds his home with the Hawkeyes on the gridiron. As is the case with most newcomers, he'll have to show he's physically ready but the athleticism is there.
He could potentially serve as a rush end in specialty packages and contribute on special teams in Year 1. Graduation losses on Iowa's front in recent years opens up opportunities for guys who can chase down the quarterback.
4. Cooper DeJean, 6-1, 203, S - The in-state standout might rank higher on this list based on pure talent. Two factors are working against him, however.
First, he's the only student-athlete on this list not to enroll early and go through spring drills. Second, unlike rush end, there doesn't appear to be much opportunity right now in the secondary, where all four starters return.
Still, I could see DeJean forcing his way onto the field. Maybe that begins on special teams with an eye on a starting safety spot in '22.
3. Arland Bruce IV, 5-10, 193, WR - We're back at a position with opportunity. The Hawkeyes are replacing starting wideouts Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Brandon Smith. The former also leaves an opening at kick returner.
Bruce IV can be dynamic with the ball in his hands having played quarterback, running back and receiver in high school. Iowa could line him up in multiple spots in hopes of creating mismatches. He combines a natural ability to make people miss in the open field with a toughness to run through contact.
4. Connor Colby, 6-6, 298, OL - Like the defensive front, Iowa is putting the puzzle together on the offensive line. The freshman from Cedar Rapids Kennedy finds himself on the preseason depth chart, which is a rarity around here for this position. It lets us know opportunity exists for him.
Current No. 1 left tackle Jack Plumb's two starts on the right side last year represent the only starting experience at tackle on the roster. Cody Ince, who started six contests at guard in '20, could kick outside. Former walk-on Nick DeJong enters camp as the top right tackle on the two-deep.
I'm not saying Colby is Tristan Wirfs, the only Kirk Ferentz era student-athlete to start at tackle as a true freshman. I'm saying I won't be surprised if Colby is the second.
1. Keagan Johnson, 6-1, 197, WR - Some of the points mentioned above about opportunity for Bruce IV apply for Johnson. His bigger frame seems to complement starters Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Nico Ragaini well.
While it would be foolish to dismiss veterans Charlie Jones, Max Cooper, Desmond Huston and others as candidates for receiver reps behind Tracy Jr. and Ragaini, Johnson comes to camp having generated a lot of hype in the spring. That he's already on the depth chart tells more of the story.
Camp provides an opportunity for Johnson to solidify his spot in the rotation. Wherever that ends up being, it's hard right now not to think he ends up in it this fall.
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August 10, 2021 at 12:15AM
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5 Iowa Football Newcomers Who Could Contribute in '21 - Hawkeye Nation
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