Hawk Talk on Melrose

In this short episode, Collin discusses the latest updates on each position group and breaks down the key storylines and questions as we go through Fall Camp. (Timestamps may be off slightly due to Ads) (0:00) Intro (0:47) QBs (5:40) RBs (7:03) WRs (9:43) TEs (11:15) Oline (12:34) Dline (14:03) LBs (16:38) Secondary (18:36) STs (19:20) Final Thoughts

In this episode, Collin highlights key takeaways from Kirk Ferentz and the three players who accompanied him to the 2025 Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas. I cover updates on the quarterback and wide receiver rooms, the unresolved left tackle position, a confident defensive line, and the current state of the secondary. (Time stamps may be off slightly due to ads) (0:00) Intro (1:52) No Pre-Camp Dept...

Join Collin and Tyler as they take a break from discussing all things Hawks and preview the 2025 Big 10 Football Season. We use Phil Steele’s CFB Magazine to dive into the data, examine trends, and analyze predictions. We look at unit position rankings, SOS, trends, and more to preview each team in the Big 10! (Time stamps below might be slightly off due to ads) (0:00) Intro (1:22) Phil Steele&#39...

This midsummer episode shifts away from our usual football focus to explore the buzz around Iowa men’s basketball—a level of excitement Hawkeye fans haven’t experienced in years. We discuss the commitment of a highly-rated 2025 forward, a 6-foot-8 versatile player reclassifying to join Iowa early, and what this major recruiting win indicates for the program. The spotlight then shifts to the energy...

In this episode, Tyler and Collin debate bold predictions for the upcoming season, such as "Will Iowa have a wide receiver eclipse 500 yards?" or "Can the Hawkeyes pull off a top-10 upset?" We will evaluate these predictions with either a “Shot” (it will happen) or a “No Shot” (it will not happen) and discuss each one briefly. Let us know in the comments if you agree or disagre...

Iowa’s wide receivers have long been the Achilles’ heel of the Hawkeyes’ offense. But now, in year two of Lester’s system, with proven FCS quarterback Mark Gronowski and a group of promising receivers, could 2025 finally be the year Iowa’s passing attack takes flight? Collin will discuss all things wideouts in this episode and share his opinion on the state of the room and whether they can take th...

In this episode, Collin and Tyler ditch the game-by-game rundown of the schedule and spice things up with our own superlatives-style analysis. Questions like "Toughest Game of the Season" to "Most Important Game of the Season”, we dive into different superlatives to explore the matchups Iowa will face in 2025. (0:00) Intro (0:05) We will not go game by game on this episode to go ove...

Collin breaks down his own version of Iowa Football’s post-spring depth chart, all for fun since we’re still months away from Week One. I analyze each position group, examining who I think will start and what we might see this Fall. Plus, I share my experience from attending the Carroll I-Club outing last week, where I had the opportunity to meet the new men’s basketball coach Ben McCollum and Kir...

Tyler and Collin attended the spring "game" (practice) on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. We share our observations and key takeaways from the day as the Hawkeyes concluded spring ball. They discuss the performance on both sides of the ball, highlight some standout players, and share our feelings as we approach the latter part of the offseason. We then wrap up with a brief recap of the play...

Collin and Tyler dive deeper into the new era of Hawkeye Hoops as they gradually add more players to the roster, including KSU transfer Brendan Hausen. We then transition to football and discuss Brendan Sullivan’s departure, examine the spring portal further, and assess which position groups prioritize acquiring a spring portal player the most.

Tyler and Collin begin the episode by discussing the excitement surrounding coach Ben McCollum and the era of Hawkeye Hoops. We dive into the roster so far and explore what else Iowa needs to compete in the Big Ten for year one under Ben. Next, we shift to football as Collin outlines his Spring Football Storylines for both the offense and defense, highlighting emerging players, position battles, a...

Iowa Men’s basketball welcomes Ben McCollum as their new head coach, fresh off a stellar season at Drake. From his dominance at NW Missouri St to leading Drake to a 31-4 record and an NCAA Tournament run, Collin explores what McCollum brings to the Hawkeyes after Fran McCaffery’s departure.

Collin dives into the seismic shift in Iowa City as Fran McCaffery, the winningest coach in Iowa Men’s Basketball history, is dismissed after 15 seasons. Collin unpacks the highs and lows of Fran’s Tenure and analyzes the factors behind the exit. Collin then explores the potential candidates to lead Iowa into a new era of Hawkeye hoops.

In this episode, we explore Tim Lester's first season as Iowa's offensive coordinator in 2024, analyzing how he revitalized one of college football's most stagnant units into a promising offense. With the Hawkeyes showing significant improvement—highlighted by Kaleb Johnson—we explore what worked, what didn’t, and whether Lester can build on this foundation in his second year. We discu...

Tyler and Collin begin the episode by reflecting on the 2024 season, which had many highs and lows that defined the 8-5 campaign. The ups and downs, inconsistencies, and everything in between kept us from having a very successful season. Beyond that, we’ll explore the state of the program: Is Iowa football in a healthy spot moving forward? With NIL, a shifting Big Ten landscape, and heightened com...

Carver-Hawkeye Arena was the epicenter of Women’s College Basketball on Sunday as Iowa upsets #4 USC and also retires Caitlin Clark’s jersey. The best to ever do it and all the memories of the last four years with Caitlin Clark came full circle on Sunday. Tyler and Collin recap the game a little, instead, we discuss CC's impact and greatness at Iowa and now in the WNBA. We discuss what she mea...

Collin begins discussing Iowa basketball and why the fanbase's apathy is at an all-time low. The question of whether this will be Fran's last year is starting to heat up. Next, Collin reacts to the news from a few weeks back that MG will be out all spring for surgery to repair his shoulder. Also, get into our latest transfer portal commit, as Sam Phillips out of Chattanooga commits to the Hawks. T...

Tyler and Collin react to the big news of the day as Iowa finally gets their QB in the portal.  0:00 Intro  0:20 Mark Gronowski Commits to the Hawks- Our general thoughts   6:57 Will Sullivan leave? 9:54 Tim Lester Effect 13:55 Passing Game NEEDS to improve  18:12 Max Brosmer comparison to Mark Gronowski  21:15 Mark or Beau Pribula 

Happy New Year! Collin provides an almost mid-season update for Iowa hoops as they are now done with non-conference play with a 10-3 record. A look back at some of the games that went our way and some that didn’t and preview the rest of the schedule along with a general recap of how the roster is doing. Is this team positioned to make the tourney? 0:00 Intro 1:08 Iowa Hoops a tournament team? 3:33...

Tyler and Collin react to yet another loss against a ranked team as Iowa loses to Missouri 27-24. This is now the third game this season where the Hawks blow a 10-point lead. We dive into the game and focus our attention on Brenden Sullivan and the secondary. Sully played lights out in the first half but looked completely different in the second half. Is he truly the guy moving forward for us? And...

Tyler and Collin are back after a short hiatus to discuss the miss for Iowa as Beau Pribula chooses Missouri. This is a prime example of Iowa needing to change the narrative on the offensive side of the ball and Lester having his work cut out to change that. We then get into the commit the Hawks got last week when Auburn QB Hank Brown transferred to Iowa. How does he impact the QB room and who wil...

Tyler and Collin recap Iowa’s 13-10 win against Nebraska. It wasn’t pretty by any means but got the job done. We then get into “The Game” and share our thoughts on Ohio State blowing it against Michigan, discuss some of the matchups this upcoming weekend for Conference Championship weekend, and then talk briefly on the playoffs. 0:00 Intro 1:25 How Did Iowa Win This Game?? 8:11 Offense Felt Like T...

Tyler and Collin recap Iowa’s win at Maryland on Saturday. We discuss Jackson Stratton starting at QB, the run game, and the defense getting back on track. We then get into the Cade situation and finish with some thoughts on the Black Friday matchup against Nebraska. 0:00 Intro 0:12 Initial Thoughts on the Game 2:42 Jackson Stratton at QB / Offense 13:17 Defense Steps Up 16:33 Thoughts on the Cade...

Tyler and Collin recap Iowa’s 20-17 loss at the Rose Bowl against UCLA. The theme of this season has been the inconsistency of this team, especially on the road. We discuss that, Sullivan/QB play, the defense, and more. 0:00 Intro 0:21 Inconsitnent / Disappointing Season 4:16 Defense Performance 9:26 Thoughts on Sullivan/Offense 16:27 Cade or Sullivan for the next game 20:08 Jackson Stratton 21:15...

Tyler and Collin recap Iowa's dominating win inside Kinnick on Saturday. 0:00 Intro 0:40 Initial Thoughts 4:43 Tim Lester's Offense with Sully at QB1 7:35 The "What If" Sully Started All Year 9:45 Offensive Stats 15:23 Iowa Drive Chart 18:30 Defense Stepping Up 22:56 Will Kirk Go Back To Cade? 26:48 Lookahead To UCLA For ad inquiries, please email hawktalkonmelrose@gmail.com