Will Iowa be 100% to compete for a Big Ten title in 2009?

"I was able to confirm that Jewel Hampton suffered a knee injury Friday. I’m
assuming non-contact drills because the team won’t be in pads until Aug. 7 (or
thereabouts). I was told the MRI is happening today, so the severity is
unknown." - Marc Morehouse

Hampton update - The Gazette's Marc Morehouse

Report: Jewel Hampton out for year? - College Fantasy Football Insider
July 04, 2009 - The Des Moines Register, citing message board chatter in the heartland, is reporting that Iowa running back (and expected starter) Jewel ...

Jewel Hampton injured? - DesMoinesRegister.com

Bad breaks for Iowa football team - Examiner.com

The Fourth of July weekend was unkind to the Iowa Hawkeyes football team, which might have suddenly lost two impact players. A torrent of message board ...

"We were hopeful that Julian's injury could be healed through normal rehab, but
it became apparent surgical repair was the best path to take. Julian may
miss some playing time, but we are optimistic he will return to full strength
very early in the season.'' - Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz

Update on transfer of reserve LB Jacoby Coleman: he is headed to Lamar, his hometown school.

Iowa's Coleman gone; Vandervelde out - Quad City Times
1 Hawkeye leaves program, another has surgery - Chicago Tribune
Hawkeye linebacker transfers; lineman has surgery - DesMoinesRegister.com

Iowa will open fall practice in early August. The Gainesville Sun has Iowa at #17 in the country in its preseason rankings. It appears that the ranking was based on Iowa prior to Jewel Hampton's injury. Of course, "next man in" has often been a fan favorite comment among Iowa's fanbase. It appears it will be an early rallying cry for the Hawkeye nation this year.

Rising star: Shonn Greene’s replacement, sophomore Jewel Hampton, could be
on the verge of a breakout season. As a freshman behind Green, Hampton scored
seven touchdowns while averaging just over five yards per carry. If Hampton can
shoulder the load early, he could turn Iowa’s offense from a weakness into a
strength.

Top 25 teams: No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes - Gainesville Sun

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Iowa Football: Fans wait for kickoff on September 5, 2009

Well, Spring Football at the University of Iowa has closed out for another season.

Hopefully, the injured and those held out due to off-season surgery will be ready, so they can join their teammates for another season of Iowa Football in 2009. The off-season begins today!

Iowa will have some newcomers to watch out for in 2009.

The #1 newcomer to the starting lineup appears to be sophomore-to-be WR Marvin McNutt, a 6-4 210 pounder from St. Louis. McNutt is no longer a quarterback and appears to be one of the new contributors to watch out for in 2009. Iowa loses one WR in Andy Brodell and starting TE Brandon Myers to graduation, but the receiver corp should be well stocked at WR and TE for 2009 and returning starting QB junior-to-be Ricky Stanzi to throw to.

The next man in is always a popular subject at the University of Iowa, especially the number two quarterback. Iowa has two redshirt freshman quarterbacks that will be in relief for starter Ricky Stanzi in 2009:
16 James Vandenberg 6-3, 205, Fr., RS
14 John Wienke 6-5, 220, Fr., RS

Running back and Doak Walker award winner Shonn Greene has departed for the NFL draft. Iowa returns sophomore-to-be Jewel Hampton, but look for redshirt freshman Jeff Brinson, 5-11 215 out of St. Petersburg, FL, to play a key role in a running back corp in 2009. The Hawkeyes will likely run a committee approach in 2009, as opposed to a one-man show.

Various highlights from Iowa Football camp this spring:

• Iowa RB Hampton sits out spring game - Chicago Tribune
• Hawkeyes finish up spring practices - Burlington Hawk Eye
• mcnutt ‘here for the Hawkeyes' - Gazette Online
• Iowa 'a little off' in final spring practice - Quad City Times
• Hawks Wrap up Spring Football - KCRG
• Moeaki close to return - Tom Kakert of Hawkeye Report
• Edds ready to get back on the field - Tom Kakert of Hawkeye Report

Big Ten football should be quite competitive in 2009. How far can the Hawkeyes move up the Big Ten ladder? On Iowa - By Marc Morehouse is another blog from Gazette sportswriter and UNI alum Marc Morehouse worthy of a look from time to time. The Hawkeyes open the 2009 season vs. the Northern Iowa Panthers at Kinnick Stadium on September 5Th.

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January 6, 2009 - Possible Iowa FB assistant candidate for job at Alabama

Noticed tonight from The Gazette's Marc Morehouse: Iowa RC and LB coach Eric Johnson

marcmorehouse Iowa assistant getting a look by 'Bama? http://tinyurl.com/89lqgx

Could Iowa be looking to replace another assistance coach after the 2008 season? After the 2007 season, veteran running back coach Carl Jackson retired from the Iowa football staff. After the 2006 season, defensive line coach Ron Aiken moved onto the NFL Arizona Cardinals.

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