Iowa opens spring practice tomorrow, and head football coach Kirk Ferentz met with media to discuss anything and everything relating to the Hawkeye football team.

• First words: “Welcome back everybody”
• Pro day went “really well.”
• Talked up Chris Doyle in his staff, says that the strength staff goes “above and beyond”
• More details on Des Moines practice, will be in the evening
• No update on Drew Ott. “Cases out there that give you encouragement”
• Brady Ross has moved to fullback.
• Ben Niemann, Derrick Mitchell Jr. and Greg Mabin won’t be able to practice this spring. James Daniels and Josh Jackson are also going to be limited, if they’re able to go at all. Apparently a lot of these injuries are carryovers. Should all be back in June.
• New recruiting coordinator Kelvin Bell, “Excited to have him join our staff.”
• “Eager to get back on the field tomorrow morning.”
• Spring ball is a chance to “Install our offense, defense and special teams.”
• ‘This is a real important time for us.”
• Not as many question marks on the offensive line, Ferentz still believes there’s still a lot of growth to be done.
• Talked about Jordan Walsh and Austin Blythe, how they’ve been around for such a long time.
• Beathard isn’t quite a 100-percent, but he’s close. Ferentz seems confident that he’ll be fine.
• On QB2 Wiegers: “He got a big jump last year.”
• On Cole Croston: “He’s always been a good football player, it was just whether he could get there physically.”
• “We lost 21 seniors, what they did collectively, that’s a big void to fill.”
• Ferentz kinda of compares Sean Welsh to Marshal Yanda, but he’s careful with it. Seems to think very highly of Welsh.
• Jerminic Smith, “Can really stretch the field.”
• Ott rehab: “I think he’ll be ready in camp, be ready in the summer…. He’s doing more and more each day. He has a good future no matter what happens.” Seems to think it’ll happen fairly soon.
• On DE Matt Nelson: Compares him to the development of the offensive tackles. “He’s worked hard, he’s a good young player.”
• Ferentz — Sliver lining to players getting injured: Other guys get a chance.
• “Best thing is to be a program with stability.”
• On Bill Cubit: Outstanding guy, also mentions Lovie Smith, apparently they’ve met just once.
• On Desmond King, “He likes special teams.”
• On Jonathan Parker: “Last year was a developmental year for him.”
• Kyle Terlouw won’t play his fifth year.

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Spring schedule:

Friday, April 8: Open practice at Valley Stadium. Time TBD, but seems like it’ll be in the evening.

Saturday, April 23: Final spring practice at Kinnick Stadium, time TBD.

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Depth Chart:

Depth chart! pic.twitter.com/8QmBLZLU6V

— Jordan Hansen (@jordyhansen) March 22, 2016