Crootin’: Iowa Football Recruit Performance Recap, Week 7

Iowa got back on the winning track this weekend and had their defense to thank for it. The running game looked pretty good at times, and not great at others. The passing game appears to be a mess. Luckily, there is help on the way. Here’s a look at how Iowa’s class of 2017 recruits performed last week.

QB commit Peyton Mansell took a break from lighting up the stat sheet as his Belton Tigers were on a bye. With his extra time, he apparently walked across a football field with a reporter to talk about himself. Here ya go.

If you’re more interested in what Mansell can do on the field when he is wearing a uniform, he also dropped his mid-season highlights. Not sure which is more enjoyable (yes I am).

As for those recruits who actually played last week, let’s get things started with the guy at the center of it all. Eno Benjamin continued to do his thing, rushing for 134 yards and 2 TDs Friday night. He was also 6-6 passing for 69 yards. On the season, Benjamin has rushed 151 times for 1,132 yards and 14 TD. He also has some nice threads.

Iowa’s other RB commit, Ivory Kelly-Martin, kept pace with Benjamin. He racked up 133 yards and a TD on just 15 carries. On the season, he’s up to 916 yards and 15 TDs on 118 carries.

For those of you concerned about Iowa’s current group of receivers, I am with you. Fortunately, there is a solid crop coming next year. Gavin Holmes hauled in 7 balls for 150 yards and a TD Friday. He also returned a kickoff 95 yards to the house. On the season, Holmes has 931 receiving yards and 9 TDs on 48 catches. Here’s a quick look at his highlights mid-season.

Fellow WR, Beau Corrales, caught 11 passes for 110 yards and a pair of TDs. That takes his season tally to 69 catches for 890 yards and 12 TDs. Apparently, he also got the memo about the need to block in a KF offense.

Brandon Smith would not be outdone this week. He pulled in 7 grabs for 173 yards and 2 TDs. He also ran one in from 5 yards out. On the season, that takes him to 885 yards and 10 TDs on 44 catches. All three of these guys have nice size and speed combos with very solid hands. Really excited to see what they can do at Iowa next year.

Outside of the skill guys already committed to Iowa, top priority and local product Oliver Martin received his US Army All-American Bowl Jersey on Thursday.

If Iowa could reel him it, that would make four commits in this class playing in the All-American Bowl. Commits already lined up to play include Benjamin, DE AJ Epenesa and OL Tristan Wirfs. Wouldn’t that be nice.