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The converted tight end figures to play a role in Iowa’s future in the trenches!
The defensive end was one of over a dozen preferred walk-ons in 2018!
Jack Plumb – RS Freshman
Green Bay, WI (Bay Port)
6’7”, 266 lbs
2019 Projection: backup offensive lineman
Jack Plumb played much of his high school career at tight end at a much leaner 240 pounds. In his junior year tape, he shows a willingness to scrap in his team’s run-heavy offense as a functional third tackle:
He rose up to Tristan Wirfs’s backup during the spring after putting on about 30 pounds since joining the Hawkeyes. With Iowa’s starting tackles well above 300 pounds and Mark Kallenberg standing at 6’5”, 288 lbs himself, there’s clearly room for Plumb to grow within his tall frame. Whether he slides in should an unfortunate Wirfs injury occur - or Kallenberg is the functional #3 tackle - remains to be seen. While I’m excited about his potential, I'd rather see Wirfs take 100% of the competitive snaps at right tackle than find out who’s backing him up.
He did, however, tally some snaps against Illinois while retaining his redshirt under the new NCAA regulation.
In a way, he might offer a “what if” for Matt Nelson, who spent his whole (very good) Hawkeye career along Iowa’s defensive line before joining the Detroit Lions’ roster as a project at offensive tackle.
Plumb is one of over a dozen Wisconsinites on Iowa’s roster, including running backs Toren Young & Henry Geil. Any time Iowa can pull a guy out from Wisconsin’s nose with a Badger offer in hand, it’s a win.
If he is able to be a quality starter as soon as 2020, he’ll be more than just a recruiting win for the Hawkeyes.