It’s Davis’ time to shine, say Ferentz and McNutt
By RANDY PETERSON
randypeterson@dmreg.com
Iowa City, Ia. — And now at wide receiver for the Iowa football team …
No. 6 from Cedar Rapids …
Keenan Davis.
“It’s his time,” coach Kirk Ferentz said after Saturday’s final practice of the spring. “He needs to play like a starter, (and) he’s certainly more than capable.”
Davis made one of the more spectacular catches on the brisk, winter-like day before an estimated 3,000 fans — such an acrobatic catch that even made one of the top cornerbacks in the Big Ten Conference do a double take.
Iowa receiver Keenan Davis opened some eyes during Saturday’s spring practice. “It’s histime,” coach Kirk Ferentz said.
“I didn’t think there was any way Keenan would get to that ball,” said Shaun Prater, who toyed with the notion of turning pro after last season. “No way.”
Yes way.
Davis, who will be a junior in the fall, one-handed a 25-yard sideline toss from James Vandenberg — despite one-on-one coverage by Prater, and despite Prater drawing a penalty on the play.
“Best play I’ve ever seen him make,” Prater said, likely half-kidding. “It was a great catch. I didn’t think he caught it.”
It drew “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd, and even an “oh wow” from receiver Marvin McNutt, who sat out the spring practice after undergoing shoulder surgery. Tailback Marcus Coker missed the practice, too, after bruising his shoulder last week.
“Marvin being out has opened the door for young guys,” Ferentz said, referring to Kevonte Martin-Manley and Steven Staggs. “That’s one of the positions that’s continually evolving.”
The way spring ball went, it will evolve with Davis, who wasn’t made available to the media after the two-hour workout.
“I didn’t think there was any way he’d catch that one,” said McNutt, who will be Vandenberg’s go-to receiver when the season opens Sept. 3 at home against Tennessee Tech. “It’s Keenan’s time. It’s his turn to step up and be a leader — and he’s going to do it.”
Davis is listed as a starter for the first time in his Hawkeyes career, and all he did this spring was solidify that.
“He’s certainly more than capable,” Ferentz said. “The next step for him is to play with consistency and help fill the void.”
Final spring practice photo gallery
Four of the Hawkeyes’ top five receivers are gone. McNutt, who led Iowa in receptions with 53, and yards with 861, will be ready to compete in the fall.
“I’ve got to catch up on some strength things, but I’ll be ready to go,” McNutt said Saturday. “I’ll be back at it 100 percent in the summer.
“By fall practice, it’ll be just like I didn’t miss anything.”
What Vandenberg needs is for Davis to be a consistent Plan B target after catching 31 passes last season for 131 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s had a great spring,” Vandenberg said. “He’s a great talent, a great kid, and I could see that from day one.
“He’s a guy that goes and gets the ball.”
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What’s been learned this spring …
ABOUT THE OFFENSE: Redshirt freshman A.J. Derby had such a good spring that he’s now locked in a battle with John Wienke to be James Vandenberg’s’ quarterback backup. ”It’s neck-and-neck right now,” coach Kirk Ferentz said. “A.J. is a quick study. He needs a lot of work in certain situations, and that’s something you can’t do in a meeting room. You have to be out there on the field doing it.”
ABOUT THE DEFENSE: Do not be surprised if middle linebacker James Morris joins Mike Daniels, Lebron Daniel and Broderick Binns as high-profile, big-name players. “James Morris — he picked up right where he left off last year. I think he’s really going to be good,” defensive coordinator Norm Parker said. “He’s got better during the winter without even practicing. He’s a sharp kid. And you know, he should be on that Wheatie’s box kind of guy.”
REMAINING QUESTION: Ferentz has been extremely hesitant to give the offensive line a high passing grade during 15 spring practices. “It’s not like we’re eight deep at quarterback, but the way we protected this spring a couple times, we may need eight quarterbacks,” Ferentz said. “I’m not sure we could get through September the way we protected at times this spring.”
SPRING STAR: Receiver Keenan Davis made extraordinary catches, and he made routine catches of passes from Vandenberg, Wienke and Derby. “He’s going to be the guy to watch in the fall,” said receiver Marvin McNutt, who sat out this spring after undergoing shoulder surgery. “He’s going to be a leader of the team.”
HE WON THE JOB: Mike Meyer finished last season as Iowa’s top place-kicker — and kept it after a spring push from Trent Mossbrucker. Meyer made 3-of-4 field goals on a windy day Saturday, the longest being a 42-yarder. Mossbrucker was 4-for-5, and he, too, made a 42-yarder.
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
