After the Iowa Hawkeyes ended the 2022 season with a rushing offense that ranked 124th nationally, they probably needed to look for an offensive help that could jump in and help immediately.
Iowa’s offense averaged just 94.9 rushing yards per game despite having one of the Big Ten’s best freshman running backs in Kaleb Johnson. He had brilliant moments and finished with triple-digit rushing totals against Nevada, Purdue and Nebraska.
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In those contests, Johnson registered 103, 200, and 109 rushing yards, respectively. In those three games, he had touchdown rushes for 40, 55, 75, and 44 yards. However, Iowa is hoping for more consistency in the rushing department and fewer feasts or famines in the form of just Johnson’s explosive carries.
The Hawkeyes also finished 105th nationally, allowing 38 sacks in 13 games. Suffice it to say that Iowa welcomed an immediate talent infusion.
The Hawkeyes won a transfer portal war, turning over offensive tackle Daijon Parker from Virginia. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Saginaw Valley State University grad transfer has one more season of eligibility left. He expects to use Mason Richman against left tackle.
Iowa has continued to strengthen its offensive line, adding fellow Miami, Ohio, Rusty Feth. Here’s more on what the Hawkeyes are getting in Feth, a look at his full bio, and what it means for Iowa.
Rusty Feth’s guts
| hometown | Colerain, Ohio |
| Estimated position | C, OG |
| Height | 6-5 |
| Weight | 304 |
| Class | 2019 |
Rusty Feth’s biography
Joseph Cress / USA TODAY NETWORK
Feth has started a variety of games at both center and guard for Miami, Ohio during his career. Over the past four seasons, Feth has played in 39 games and made 34 starts. In each of the last two seasons, feth has started at center.
Feth will have one more season in Iowa City. Here’s a full breakdown of his playing history in Miami, Ohio.
- 2022: 12 starts in the middle
- 2021: 13 starts in the middle
- 2020: 3 starts on guard
- 2019: 11 appearances, 6 starts at Guard
Recruitment Ranking
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA TODAY NETWORK
On3 Consensus: Three Star IOL, #227 IOL, #116 Ohio player
247 sports: Two Star IOL, #234 IOL, #146 Ohio player
Competitors: Two star IOL
What does this mean for Iowa?
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
The Hawkeyes went and found offensive tackle help in Daijon Parker to improve an offensive line that needed an immediate update. He should be a good match for Mason Richman.
Now Iowa brings in another player with a wealth of experience. Feth’s 34 career starts mean he’s battle-hardened in the collegiate ranks. His playing time both at center and guard gives the Hawks options this fall as well.
Could this knock Logan Jones out of starting roll in the middle? Or will Feth start against Connor Colby in either of the two guard slots? Iowa also brings back Nick DeJong, Gennings Dunker, Tyler Elsbury and Beau Stephens, who started in the guard for the Hawkeyes last season.
DeJong started the first five on the left, Tyler Elsbury the next two, and then Colby the back six. At right, Stephens started the first 10 games, Dejong started the last two regular season games, and Dunker started the bowl game.
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