Live updates from Kirk Ferentz’s Iowa football news conference
The build-up to Wednesday’s 3 p.m. Iowa football press conference with Kirk Ferentz was filled with as much anticipation as any since January 2015, when after a disappointing season, coach -veteran leader emerged with a clear shift in program direction.
Ferentz then switched quarterbacks from Jake Rudock to CJ Beathard, a shakeup long overdue among Iowa fans…and it worked. Behind Beathard and other program changes in 2015, Iowa had a 12-0 regular season and largely enjoyed an eight-year streak of sustained success … except for the offense the past two seasons.
And that’s where the anticipation for Wednesday was born. Would Ferentz announce big changes, small changes, ANY change to an offense run by his unpopular son who has become a national laughingstock? Wednesday also marked a second national signing day, and the Hawkeyes had a handful of new prospects on board. But the focus was on the future of the Iowa offense and how boldly Ferentz’s words and actions came through.
Register sports columnist Chad Leistikow will provide late-breaking updates from Ferentz’s comments below. (Note: Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta will also be available today in Iowa City, but his comments will be included in a separate article.)
“I feel really good in the whole recruiting class.”
Ferentz kicked things off by talking about the second national signing day, and the Hawkeyes announced the signing of five stock players (including four from the NCAA transfer portal) and six extras in the Class of 2023. Additions to the portal Rusty Feth (6-foot-5, 304 pounds) from Miami of Ohio and Daijon Parker (6-5, 300) from Saginaw Valley State highlighted Iowa’s immediate efforts to repair the offensive line.
Ferentz also notes that the Hawkeyes’ top three rookies since December may have been sixth-year senior retentions Nico Ragaini at wide receiver and Joe Evans and Noah Shannon on the defensive line.
Since this is the second day of signings, take a look at what Iowa is announcing as new additions to the program (scholarship and walk-in) in the class of 2023. pic.twitter.com /bao8oUX9JV
— Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) February 1, 2023
Iowa recruiting director Tyler Barnes, Ferentz’s son-in-law, then took to the podium to elaborate on Ferentz’s recruiting comments. Barnes noted that Iowa will have 44 new players between the January and June arrival periods, which is a big number for the program. It’s a good overhaul.
One of the most intriguing additions is FCS Charleston Southern wide receiver Seth Anderson, who has been on campus for two weeks.
“As we delved into his background, he was a high school wrestler,” Barnes said. “He’s a great boy, with a big smile, a big personality and the kind of kid we like to follow. He’s got a chip on his shoulder and has something to prove.”
There will be another transfer portal window in May, where Iowa can add players in areas that need them. Barnes said Iowa still has some scholarships to spend.
Watch a live stream of Wednesday’s press conference here.
Stay tuned for plenty of post-conference coverage on HawkCentral.com and tune into tonight’s Hawk Central radio show (delayed) which airs from 9-10 p.m. on KXnO, 106.3 FM and 1460 AM at Monks.