30. OG-Mike Jones: 2003-2006
(hawkeyesports.com)
Jones was highly recruited and played and started as a true freshman. He never became the star that some expected but he had a very nice career. He played and started every offensive line position but center for Iowa. As a senior scout.com had him as a first team All-American. He was also voted by coaches as a first team All-Big Ten.
29. CB-Amari Spievey: 2006, 2008-2009
(bleacherreport.com)
Even though Spievey only played two seasons for Iowa, he is arguably the best cover CB Iowa has had under Ferentz. Spievey redshirted as a true freshman and then transferred to Iowa Central Community College due to academics. In 2008, Spievey came back and started as a sophomore and earned third team All Big Ten honors. As a Junior he started all 13 games and earned All Big Ten First Team. He also returned kicks as a junior. Spievey skipped his senior season and was drafted in the third round by the Detroit Lions. Spievey has had a solid career in the pros.
28. CB-Jovon Johnson: 2002-2005
(iowa.scout.com)
Another Erie, Pennsylvania native that became a key contributor for Iowa. This diminutive(5-9) CB started his final 3 games as a freshman, including the Orange Bowl, and then started every other game for his career. Johnson ended his career with 17 interceptions, which was third all time. He also returned punts for Iowa during his career. He was honorable mention Freshman All American by Rivals in 2002 and was first team All Big Ten by league media as a senior.
27. RB-Shonn Greene: 2005-2006, 2008
(milehighreport.com)
What an amazing junior season Greene had in 2008. I ranked him this low because he basically just had one good season as a Hawkeye. Greene had a very nice first game as a freshman against Ball State. In that game, he rushed for 116 yards on 18 carries. After that Greene saw limited playing time except for special teams as he as behind two veterans in Albert Young and Damian Sims. In 2006 Greene was also behind those veterans and also missed games due to injury. Greene then had to leave Iowa due to grades and rejoined them in 2008 and the rest is history. Greene rushed for 1,850 yards. He scored 20 touchdowns. He rushed for 100 yards in every game. He was the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year. He won the Doak Walker Award. Greene was MVP of the Outback Bowl and First Team All American. After his junior year, Greene left for the NFL where he plays for the New York Jets.
26. RB-Albert Young: 2004-2007
(nationalchamps.net)
Kids, once upon a time, Iowa graduated running backs. The New Jersey native was not flashy, but had a very nice career for Iowa. Because he was a Iowa running back, Young redshirted as a true freshman due to a knee injury and played only two games as a redshirt freshman due to a knee injury. Young rebounded and had a very nice sophomore year rushing for 1,344 yards with a 5.4 yards per carry average. He never reached 1,000 yards again but had a very solid three year career and ended up his career third all time in rushing with 3,173 yards. Young was undrafted, but played a couple of seasons for the Vikings.
25. CB-Shaun Prater: 2008-2011
(bleacherreport.com)
The Nebraska native was a four year key player and three year starter for Iowa. He played as a true freshman in 2008 and was a key reserve. As a sophomore, Prater became a starter and never looked back. Prater finished his career with 7 interceptions and 171 tackles. He also recorded 4 forced fumbles as a senior. Prater frustrated some fans as a senior, but I think that was more due to the inexperience at safety. Prater was a two time All Big Ten First Team Member. Prater is currently a member of the Cincinnati Bengals after being drafted in the fifth round.
24. DL-Jonathan Babineaux: 2000, 2002-2004
(bleacherreport.com)
Some people may forget that Babineaux started out as a fullback. He actually started three games at full back as a true freshman. Babineaux missed 2001 due to injury and moved to DL where he would have a nice career for Iowa and eventually the NFL. The Texas native started as a sophomore, junior, and senior at DL. Babineaux ended his career with 131 tackles, 19 sacks, and five forced fumbles. As a senior, Babineaux earned All Big Ten First Team honors. Babineaux was always a favorite of mine.
23. S-Tyler Sash-2008-2010
(www.hawkeyelocator.wordpress.com)
If Sash stayed for his senior year, he would have been ranked even higher. Still Sash had a very nice career for Iowa. Sash, originally committed to Iowa State, but made the right choice and changed his commitment to the Black and Gold. The Oskaloosa native ended his career with 13 interceptions, 217 tackles, and 392 interception return yards. After starting out as a backup, Sash eventually started at strong safety as a redshirt freshman against Pittsburgh and ended his career with 37 starts. As a freshman, Rivals named Sash the Big Ten Top Defensive Freshman and second team Freshman All American. Sash was All Big Ten First Team as a sophomore and junior.
22. RB-Ladell Betts: 1998-2001
(usatoday.com)
The Missouri native was actually was recruited by and played for Hayden Fry, but played the majority of his career with Ferentz. He was part of Ferentz's first teams, which were not very good. Although, Betts did not have much help on offense and never played with a strong line, he ended up having a very nice career. Betts ended his career with 3,682 yards rushing which is 2nd all time. Betts also recorded 71 career receptions. He started 43 games for his career. Betts lead Iowa in rushing in all 4 years he played. When he played he became just the second Iowa Hawkeye to rush for back to back 1,000 yards. Betts ended up having a nice NFL career for the Washington Redskins.
21. QB-Drew Tate: 2003-2006
(nationalchamps.net)
Some people might have him listed higher but there was nobody in the top 20 I could take out for him. Drew Tate, did have one of the most interesting careers for Iowa and nobody can ever forget the Tate pass to Warren Holloway in the 2004 Capital One Bowl against LSU. However, Tate had a little bit of a disappointing senior year and some questioned his leadership skills. Tate actually played as a true freshman which is rare for Iowa. He saw limited playing time. However, as a sophomore he became the starter and had a big year. He passed for 2,786 yards and threw for 20 touchdowns. As a sophomore he earned All Big Ten First Team honors and also was the Big Ten's Player of the Year by collegefootballnews.com. Tate also had a nice junior year throwing for 2,828 yards and 22 touchdowns. As a senior, Iowa had a disappointing year going 6-7 ending with a Alamo Bowl loss to Texas. Tate did battle injuries but still ended up throwing for 2623 yards. Tate ended his career with 8292 yards which is second all time. Tate is one of the greatest Iowa Hawkeye QB's ever. However, he never seemed to get better after his terrific sophomore year.
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