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Making Monsters Draft Series: Iowa's Gennings Dunker & Logan Jones · 2nd City Gridiron

• 0:09
  [SPEAKER_01]: I welcome back to another episode of Making Monsters, I'm Taylor Dahl, and we're continuing on draft talk.
• 0:14
  [SPEAKER_01]: John Bonancamp, joining me now covering Iowa, Hawkeyes, we have a couple offensive linemen.
• 0:19
  [SPEAKER_01]: I want to talk about today, John, so I appreciate your time and thanks for hopping on.
• 0:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, glad to be on.
• 0:24
  [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for having me.
• 0:25
  [SPEAKER_01]: I feel like if we're talking Iowa and the recent years we're probably talking lineman or titans that feels like the trends that we've talked linebackers maybe some of the side type of players so we'll continue on that lineman talk but I wanted to get just to start the kind of base of Iowa football this last year as a whole after only scoring they scored 15.4 points per game two seasons ago the Hawkeyes were eighth in the
• 0:50
  [SPEAKER_01]: this last year at 29.3 points per game.
• 0:53
  [SPEAKER_01]: So chat a little bit about that.
• 0:54
  [SPEAKER_01]: I know a lot of it the run game being a big factor in how they were able to score last year.
• 1:00
  [SPEAKER_01]: So just overall the offense and how it looked.
• 1:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: Well, you saw at the end of the year, I mean, when the offense wine won the Joe Moro award, which I saw the award today, if you have ever seen it, it looks like a big piano.
• 1:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: But anyway, you saw it when they won that award that you could just tell that that was for what they were able to do offensively last year.
• 1:21
  [SPEAKER_00]: They were really good at front.
• 1:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: that allowed them to run the ball.
• 1:25
  [SPEAKER_00]: They didn't pass the ball.
• 1:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: A lot which that's Iowa.
• 1:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: But they were really good.
• 1:31
  [SPEAKER_00]: They were really good offensively last year.
• 1:33
  [SPEAKER_00]: And a lot better than what they have been in the last couple years.
• 1:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: And I think part of that is just Tim West are being offensive coordinator now for a couple of seasons.
• 1:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: the players kind of get what he wants, he's getting the kind of players he wants, and I think it's just all kind of working right now.
• 1:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: But then we get that award, it was really a sign of what they had up front, but it was also what they were able to do with the run game and do some different things.
• 1:57
  [SPEAKER_00]: And I think it's a testament on how this offensive has progressed the last couple
• 2:03
  [SPEAKER_01]: How would you explain when you just said like the type of players he wants?
• 2:06
  [SPEAKER_01]: We've seen a very physical Iowa defense for a while.
• 2:10
  [SPEAKER_01]: Does it feel like the offense started trending that way too?
• 2:13
  [SPEAKER_01]: Just more physicality?
• 2:14
  [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, and they were also, and he was also able to put some guys in some different positions.
• 2:18
  [SPEAKER_00]: Like, he had K in Legion last year.
• 2:21
  [SPEAKER_00]: who was a great, you know, punt return, a kick return, but they were also able to do some things with him offensively.
• 2:28
  [SPEAKER_00]: The passing game was a lot better.
• 2:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, yet Mark Bernowski is quarterback who came in with a really good resume out of the South Dakota state and came in and kind of stabilize that offense.
• 2:40
  [SPEAKER_00]: And they were able to do a lot of things with him in terms of the running game.
• 2:43
  [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, they beat Penn State by him running the ball, you know, and they did some other things during the year
• 2:49
  [SPEAKER_00]: with him being able to run the ball.
• 2:51
  [SPEAKER_00]: So he kind of got in the quarterback he want and you're gonna kind of see that again I think with the subcoming team he's got the guys now that he wants and he could kind of figure out where they all fit in his offensive
• 3:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, it's interesting because we've been having the conversation in Chicago this last year, the run game being totally revamped, but a big part of that was the offensive line also being revamped.
• 3:13
  [SPEAKER_01]: You had the same running back in the Andre Swift, but what you didn't have is a jotony in the middle and you're Dolman in the middle and some of those guys that kind of led.
• 3:21
  [SPEAKER_01]: the way for it.
• 3:22
  [SPEAKER_01]: And so you give credit to the running backs, but I do always want to give love to the offensive lineman, because I don't think they get enough love, especially at the NFL level.
• 3:29
  [SPEAKER_01]: But I want to start it with Jennings Dunker, obviously a tackle, um, projected to be a guard though at the next level.
• 3:35
  [SPEAKER_01]: So we'll try to little bit about that, too.
• 3:36
  [SPEAKER_01]: But I love Dunker.
• 3:37
  [SPEAKER_01]: I love the mallet, spring me, all the mallet offensive lineman that you can.
• 3:41
  [SPEAKER_01]: Um, Colors lover.
• 3:42
  [SPEAKER_01]: You've seen all the fun things about Dunker and all of that stuff, but just, uh, talk about a little bit about a story, red shirt,
• 3:50
  [SPEAKER_01]: And then appeared in 11 games in 2022 and started in that music bowl, and then it was kind of off from there for him.
• 3:57
  [SPEAKER_01]: But chat a little bit about his role on that offensive line.
• 4:00
  [SPEAKER_00]: He, he was.
• 4:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: You're in, and one of the things about him is he's gotten so strong.
• 4:15
  [SPEAKER_00]: And, and.
• 4:17
  [SPEAKER_00]: Anyway, somehow, he won the hay bail throw at the Solundeef days last year, and I don't know if you've ever seen the video that where they throw the hay bail over the poll like a hijab thing, and he just got really strong, and really dominated that position on the right side.
• 4:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: his stock rose at that point and then he's had a really good off season he's impressed NFL teams on and off the field with what he's been able to do I mean they were I think they really like his personality think they really like how he knows what's going on and so I think what you see at him is a guy that that he will come in right away and play like you said they may move in the guard but they may also like him if he if he can do some things out of right
• 5:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: team that's looking for for an offensive lineman that's ready to go now.
• 5:11
  [SPEAKER_00]: One of the things they always say about current parents players is you don't have to teach them.
• 5:15
  [SPEAKER_00]: They come in, they come in, they know the footwork, they know the technique, they know all the stuff.
• 5:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: And so if for a guy you want to plug in right away, that's what you want, he's got your good one.
• 5:24
  [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, and that's what I think part of it when it comes to his story of kind of being a little patient, developing, taking time to get there, but by the time he's coming out of college, you do feel like he's already product and that's what been Johnson and Dan Rochard, the offensive line coach are very adamant about their their perfectionist when it comes to footwork when it comes to
• 5:44
  [SPEAKER_01]: having all of those intricate things down and you look at it last year, John even with a Luther burden coming into camp.
• 5:50
  [SPEAKER_01]: You don't really get to see Luther burden until about midway through season and that was because Ben Johnson said he didn't feel like he was ready.
• 5:56
  [SPEAKER_01]: His footwork didn't, you know, the timing wasn't there, the footwork wasn't there.
• 5:59
  [SPEAKER_01]: So that is really important to have a player that's developed.
• 6:02
  [SPEAKER_01]: When it comes to that conversation about the tackle or guard, do you think he could do both at the next level?
• 6:07
  [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, I mean, because I remember when Tristan Orbs came out and I remember there was a lot of people saying, oh, he's gonna move the garden and look what he's done.
• 6:16
  [SPEAKER_00]: So I mean, I think he is capable of playing tackle at the NFL level, but he will be really good inside too.
• 6:24
  [SPEAKER_00]: And so they're gonna be able to do some different things with him.
• 6:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: And it's just a matter of what do they need?
• 6:30
  [SPEAKER_00]: And what are they kind of see out of him once he goes against the NFL competition, but he can do both.
• 6:37
  [SPEAKER_01]: another guy Logan Jones the center out of Iowa.
• 6:41
  [SPEAKER_01]: I'm very intrigued with Logan Jones and the Bears Center this last year drew Domin retired suddenly in the off season.
• 6:47
  [SPEAKER_01]: It wasn't a need and became a need very quickly.
• 6:50
  [SPEAKER_01]: They made a trade for Garrett Bradbury from the Patriots, but it does feel like it's a band-aid and that they will draft a center.
• 6:56
  [SPEAKER_01]: But maybe more one, a little later maybe leads a little bit of development.
• 7:01
  [SPEAKER_01]: But I saw a comp to him from
• 7:07
  [SPEAKER_01]: last year.
• 7:08
  [SPEAKER_01]: So it interesting when it comes to that.
• 7:09
  [SPEAKER_01]: But I saw he started actually at Iowa on the defensive side of the ball defensive line and then they moved him over to center.
• 7:16
  [SPEAKER_01]: So start about that because that's an interesting transition going from D line to snapping the ball to a quarterback and the next year and doing at a pretty high level.
• 7:23
  [SPEAKER_00]: And he was really good like he said at a high level right away.
• 7:27
  [SPEAKER_00]: And, you know, they've been able to do that at times with linemen because of the guys they bring in and the type of guys you see on both sides of the ball.
• 7:36
  [SPEAKER_00]: And so he stepped in and has been really good.
• 7:40
  [SPEAKER_00]: He is a true center there.
• 7:42
  [SPEAKER_00]: I don't think you can really use him anywhere else, but, you know, he was best center in the country last year, one of the rimming countries consensus all American.
• 7:50
  [SPEAKER_00]: Really a really good guy in the locker room and Kirk Ferns really loved him.
• 7:57
  [SPEAKER_00]: He won the award, we give out to the players every year for being best with the media.
• 8:02
  [SPEAKER_00]: Just a really good guy and I was thinking about when I was thinking about him yesterday and I just remember a play I can't remember who it was here in the last season where I was just watching and the play ends and all of a sudden I just see him still blocking
• 8:20
  [SPEAKER_00]: And somebody asked him about it after the game and he's like that's just what I was taught to do.
• 8:26
  [SPEAKER_00]: And he's a he's a he comes off you know really quiet like really nice can be he's really tough and he's been able to adjust to whatever quarterback he's had to deal with with you know with sometimes that can be a thing to but I mean he has he has developed from beginning to end into I mean again one of the best centers in the country and and he would be a great pick for somebody in that you know third fourth round somewhere around there that that needs a center right
• 8:55
  [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah.
• 8:56
  [SPEAKER_01]: So what was the conversation around moving him from defense to the center position?
• 9:01
  [SPEAKER_01]: Was it they just projected in there?
• 9:03
  [SPEAKER_01]: They needed a center.
• 9:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: It was sized like, okay, a knee.
• 9:06
  [SPEAKER_00]: He's knee more than he said.
• 9:08
  [SPEAKER_00]: He said he was like fine, you know, and like I said, he stepped in right away.
• 9:13
  [SPEAKER_00]: And and was able to do a lot of things.
• 9:16
  [SPEAKER_00]: And I mean, they've had a really good track record of guys moving from one side to the ball.
• 9:21
  [SPEAKER_00]: The other because a lot of the guys they recruit are
• 9:25
  [SPEAKER_00]: You know, smaller high school guys that do play both sides of the ball.
• 9:28
  [SPEAKER_00]: They're, you know, and height in their high school days.
• 9:30
  [SPEAKER_00]: And so he was able to come in and again, tough kid, really smart.
• 9:35
  [SPEAKER_00]: And you know, nose, nose, you know, nose the blocking assignments, nose all that, and they were so glad when he came back for that last year.
• 9:43
  [SPEAKER_00]: And he just really produced last year, and like I said, best center in the country.
• 9:48
  [SPEAKER_00]: And that's somebody.
• 9:49
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think you, just for the way he is, that's somebody you want to take a chance on.
• 9:53
  [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I'm very excited about him potentially and what 50 starts in those four seasons at center.
• 10:00
  [SPEAKER_01]: He also landed on Bruce Feldman's Freak List at number seven.
• 10:03
  [SPEAKER_01]: So that's the list that we'll always kind of talk about before.
• 10:05
  [SPEAKER_01]: And I like to go back the next year and see which players actually did well that first year in the NFL.
• 10:11
  [SPEAKER_01]: And he hits on several of them.
• 10:13
  [SPEAKER_01]: A lot of big names you'll talk about.
• 10:14
  [SPEAKER_01]: You're in the fastest 40 among offensive linemen.
• 10:17
  [SPEAKER_01]: Also, so that athleticism, size, combination, talk about these offenses now in the NFL that you so much motions and movements and mobile quarterbacks, and I think that's something that could benefit at the next level.
• 10:29
  [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, I like I said he really understands blocking schemes and he understands getting guys in the position.
• 10:35
  [SPEAKER_00]: And I think that's what I really like about him.
• 10:38
  [SPEAKER_00]: They're going to miss him this year.
• 10:39
  [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, there's no doubt about that just because what he's been able to do throughout his career.
• 10:44
  [SPEAKER_01]: I want to ask you something when it comes to both these guys, a Jennings Dunker and a Logan Jones, because you talked about Gronowski, the quarterback from this last year, uses his legs, runs a lot of mobile guy, coming to Chicago, you're going to be blocking for Caleb Williams, who does leave the pocket often.
• 11:00
  [SPEAKER_01]: He does a lot of things out of structure extends place, but because of that, sometimes these offensive linemen do have to move around.
• 11:06
  [SPEAKER_01]: Do you think there's a benefit for guys like these two, who have now blocked for a mobile cubion in college?
• 11:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, because he really was a big part of that office, about a big part of the run-in game last year, Margarinowski was in, and he was able to make some place.
• 11:22
  [SPEAKER_00]: And those guys kind of knew what he was going to do.
• 11:24
  [SPEAKER_00]: And which was really kind of unusual, because he had just come in and didn't have any spring with them because he came in in the edit show, Ed Schulder, Surgery, Mr. Spring.
• 11:34
  [SPEAKER_00]: So they only had like the summer and August to work with him.
• 11:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: But the
• 11:37
  [SPEAKER_00]: That whole unit really worked well together and it's a testament.
• 11:41
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think to the coaching, but it's also a testament to the intelligence and the ability of those linemen that they were able to just like that.
• 11:48
  [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I think bringing a couple of guys off a line that was one of if not the best in the country is a good thing to add to your team.
• 11:55
  [SPEAKER_01]: John, before I let you go, are there any of these other Iowa prospects that you like, that maybe we didn't mention or people you don't think are talking about enough heading into the
• 12:04
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think both Stevens is another offensive lineman could be a really good pick late defensively quarterback TJ Hall.
• 12:13
  [SPEAKER_00]: I think is really good.
• 12:14
  [SPEAKER_00]: Kayne Weijon, I mentioned him earlier, if somebody wants to take a chance on him, go ahead and do it because I mean, this is a guy that he, every time he touched the ball last year, he did something, whether it was fun return, kick return, wide receiver, whatever.
• 12:28
  [SPEAKER_00]: So if there's somebody that has a need and you've got a late round pick,
• 12:32
  [SPEAKER_00]: And he's still there, you grab him and see what you could do with him because there's a lot of different things he can do at the next level.
• 12:40
  [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, for him, five nine one ninety six, a track sprinter.
• 12:43
  [SPEAKER_01]: So when you talk about having speed on the field, you see it as the NFL still trying to figure out.
• 12:49
  [SPEAKER_01]: You've seen with the adjustments to the return game.
• 12:52
  [SPEAKER_01]: They're still trying to figure it out.
• 12:53
  [SPEAKER_01]: What type of player you need back there.
• 12:55
  [SPEAKER_01]: So maybe you take a chance on that.
• 12:56
  [SPEAKER_01]: But John, I really appreciate your time.
• 12:58
  [SPEAKER_01]: I personally am hoping that Logan Jones ends up on the bear.
• 13:01
  [SPEAKER_01]: So we'll see if that happens.
• 13:02
  [SPEAKER_01]: I believe he's one of them.
• 13:04
  [SPEAKER_01]: I think Dunkers from Illinois.
• 13:06
  [SPEAKER_01]: So Illinois ties there.
• 13:07
  [SPEAKER_01]: I was close.
• 13:08
  [SPEAKER_01]: So we have those conversations, but I appreciate you having on and chatting with me.
• 13:12
  [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for having me.
• 13:14
  [SPEAKER_01]: Thank you.