Iowa lineman eager to make Hawkeye debut
Marcus Zusevics
It’s only a matter of hours before Markus Zusevics makes his starting debut for the Iowa football team.
And while Hawkeye fans may have concerns about a revamped offensive line, the right tackle from Arlington Heights, Ill., is embracing his new role.
“I can’t wait,” Zusevics said of Saturday’s 11 a.m. opener against Eastern Illinois. “It’s been a long time coming.”
The 6-foot-5, 295-pound junior is perhaps the least known among Iowa’s front five.
He and center James Ferentz — son of Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz — are the only first-time starters from that group, and Zusevics had the most to prove when spring practices began in March.
“We really weren’t sure what to expect out of him,” left guard Julian Vandervelde said. “It seemed like he was really committed, really focused. It’s really been exciting to see him come through this.”
There’s a few things you’ll want to know about the last player listed on Iowa’s alphabetical roster:
• His name is pronounced ZOOZ-uh-vicks.
• He saw action in all 13 games last season, primarily on special teams.
• He was a four-year letter winner for his high school volleyball team, playing as an outside hitter.
“It’s definitely nice to swing at the ball a little bit,” Zusevics said. “That was probably 70 pounds ago.”
After three years of bulking up and biding his time, Zusevics is ready for the rigors of the Big Ten Conference.
“I knew that it was going to take me a couple years to develop and maybe get on the field a little bit,” he said.
“Now that my time has come, I’m definitely real excited about it.”
The Hawkeyes are missing four veterans from last season’s offensive line, including NFL draft picks Bryan Bulaga and Kyle Calloway.
The left side will be anchored by tackle Riley Reiff (who made 11 starts in 2009) and Vandervelde (who has 24 career starts).
Ferentz will start at center ahead of Josh Koeppel, who suffered minor injuries this week after being hit by a truck while riding a motorcycle.
“I think we’ve jelled throughout camp,” Zusevics said. “We’re getting a lot better, improving every day.”
Saturday’s game will provide a glimpse of how Zusevics and his linemates have progressed.
“We work a ton,” Zusevics said. “We have a real good relationship and connection and are pretty familiar with each other’s blocking style.”
The unit will be tested by a Panther defense that allowed 136.2 rushing yards per game and recorded 24 sacks last season.
“They (Zusevics and right guard Adam Gettis) have displayed the consistency on the practice field that you’re looking for,” Ferentz said. “Zeus did a good job back in the spring, and I think he’s just continued that right on through with this past couple of weeks.”
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
