IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – You could describe the Iowa football team’s wide receiver group as young and unknown. Last season, only two of them caught passes for the Hawkeyes. New offensive coordinator Tim Lester says they are one of the most entertaining groups to watch.
Juniors Kaleb Brown and Seth Anderson are the only wide receivers to catch a pass in black and gold last season. Brown caught 22 passes for 215 yards in Iowa’s final six games, while Anderson caught 11 passes for 150 yards. Each player also scored a touchdown for a position group that wasn’t as productive as hoped.
“We’re not really looking to the past. We’re really moving forward and just trying to create a new story,” Anderson said.
When the preseason roster was released, it included new goals.
“We have a young group. We have some guys who haven’t played much and a lot of guys who are playing on the first and second teams for the first time in their careers. I think it’s exciting, as one of the older guys on the group, to see some of these guys come into their own and become the players they want to be,” said senior quarterback Cade McNamara.
One of the new names on the preseason list of starters was redshirt freshman Jarriett Buie.
“You just have to always be ready. I’m here to make an impact on the field, just like everyone else,” he said. “Our receivers will be ready, no matter how young or old they are. I think we bring a different energy.”
The unit also has a new leader in Jon Budmayr. After his time as an offensive analyst, he is now taking on the role of wide receiver coach. In his first year, he is already setting new standards for his group.
“The accountability factor is extremely important in our area. That’s what we emphasize. People have to take responsibility for their work, know how to do it, but then also show up every day and do it consistently,” said Budmayr.
It may have been a learning curve in the spring, but now that the wide receivers understand how Lester wants to call plays, they’re starting to focus more on details and consistency.
“In April we were still running around, even Coach Lester was running around trying to figure out how these plays work and how they can affect each other. I think he found a good rhythm and so did we,” Buie explained.
Their teammates believe this group is remarkable.
“I think they’re going to shock a lot of people this year. There are a lot of guys who don’t have names yet. They should have names after the first week. They’re just a lot of explosive guys, a lot of playmakers, good hands. Strong, physical guys – they’re tough. I actually like that they block too. That means a lot more touchdowns for me,” said senior running back Leshon Williams.
The Hawkeyes open their season on Saturday, August 31st against Illinois State.
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