There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Iowa losing sophomore running back Jewel Hampton is a bitter blow.
Hampton’s season-ending knee surgery, which head coach Kirk Ferentz announced on Tuesday, leaves a mammoth hole in the Iowa backfield.
How mammoth?
Iowa now returns only 5.8 percent of its rushing yards from a year ago, a stat that has already sparked complaining among Hawkeye fans about the lack of experience and talent.
While I admit the loss of experience is a huge setback, I’m willing to stand behind the talent Iowa can field at the position this year. Right now, we know about four different backs that will likely be used at some point this season.
Despite that quartet remaining, for the most part, unproven, there is promise aplenty in the wake of Hampton’s unfortunate fall. Each back provides unique skills, and if head coach Kirk Ferentz is serious about going four deep in his rotation, the Hawkeyes could be well served by the diversity.
To the chagrin of some Hawkeye faithful, junior Paki O’Meara is going to get the first crack at establishing himself as Iowa’s next go-to guy running the ball. Before you wince on Saturday when No. 25 runs out to join the first-string huddle, consider that this guy has by far the most experience — in fact, the only experience — of any running back currently on the active roster.
O’Meara won’t exactly be running the ball on one leg either.
Nevermind that Iowa has a veteran, talented offensive line, which will make life easier for anyone Ferentz throws back behind Ricky Stanzi. O’Meara admitted before the start of preseason camp, he had struggled through most of his early career with the speed of the college game. Now, he insists the game has “slowed down,” and he has a solid grasp on not just his role, but the offensive as a whole.
Adam Robinson, a redshirt freshman from Des Moines, is listed as O’Meara’s backup on the initial two-deep so far this season. Robinson told reporters on Tuesday that his “heart” would be his greatest contribution to the running back equation this year. He was being modest.
I watched him perform at Iowa’s open scrimmage on Aug. 15, and the guy has some big-time ability. He flew under the radar during the recruiting process but ranks second in career rushing yards at Des Moines Lincoln High School.
Robinson’s MO is that he is a speed guy, but he showcased impressive power and elusiveness at the open scrimmage. He should emerge as Iowa’s No. 1 running back at some point this season.
Fellow redshirt freshman Jeff Brinson is nursing a foot injury that kept him out of some preseason practices, but Ferentz says Brinson will likely challenge for playing time eventually this season.
Like most Hawkeye fans, I’m hoping true freshman Brandon Wegher lives up to the hype that surfaced after the release of his YouTube highlight videos. We already know he’s not redshirting, which means Ferentz is going to play him in some capacity early on. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was at running back.
No matter who takes Hampton’s place, it won’t be Shonn Greene, and it doesn’t need to be. The offensive line will be scary good when everyone is back, and Stanzi looks poised to lead any team Ferentz puts on the gridiron.
Iowa still has a plethora of talent compared with 2004, when walk-on Sam Brownlee was Iowa’s leading rusher with 227 yards. We all know how that one turned out.