December 15, 2019
While the two older wideouts have paced the unit, the younger members of the group have followed closely.
After scoring his first-career touchdown against Rutgers in Iowa’s second game of the season, Tracy took the reins as a playmaker while filling in at Smith’s ‘X’ position.
Surrounded by four Wildcats in Iowa’s 20-0 win over Northwestern, Tracy slipped out of a tackle and utilized his elusiveness to take a Nate Stanley pass 50 yards for a touchdown.
Iowa wide receiver Tyrone Tracy, Jr. carries the ball during the Iowa vs. Northwestern football game at Ryan Field on Saturday, October 26, 2019. The Hawkeyes defeated the Wildcats 20-0. Tracy caught 2 passes and gained a total of 88 yards.
He finished the game with 88 yards and a touchdown before going for 130 yards and another score the next week against Wisconsin.
It was a welcomed change in production for Tracy, who had been the third option in the passing game to that point. Smith and Smith-Marsette set the stage all season. Then, Tracy took advantage when given the opportunity.
Tracy now ranks second on the team with 589 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
A few weeks later, when Iowa took on Nebraska, Smith-Marsette took a reverse 45 yards for a touchdown on the Hawkeyes’ second drive and returned a kick 95 yards for another score one quarter later. Full circle.
Whether it’s Smith-Marsette or Tracy making the play — the teacher or the student — Iowa has benefited as a whole from the knowledge that has been passed down for years.
Iowa wide receiver Nico Ragaini runs past Purdue safety Navon Mosley during the Iowa football game against Purdue at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. The Hawkeyes defeated the Boilermakers 26-20. Ragaini had six carries and covered 31 yards.
“They are great leaders in the room,” Tracy said. “They push us through everything. All the adversity, they push us through it. When we need a big play, we go to Ihmir or B. Smith, and usually, most of the time, they come through for us.”
The same has been true for Ragaini, who served as a security blanket for Stanley, resembling the role Easley played for the Hawkeyes in 2017 and 2018.
Following Easley’s lead, Ragaini paces Iowa with 44 receptions.
“Nico was a guy who came into the program, and right from the start, he worked really hard,” Easley said. “He was always constantly asking me questions and trying to soak up and learn as much from me as he could. I really appreciated that about him.”