Northern Iowa Talent Level

[alvin kayak]

This is a question/answer for UNI fans, notably clenz and whoever else wishes to participate. The only requirement is that you have seen the player in person at least once (in person or TV).

(1) How does quarterback Rennie compare to previous UNI quarterbacks? Same question for Johnson, Boothby, Anderson, and Sievertsen?

(2) How do these 4 players compare talent-wise to others in their position in the Missouri Valley Football Conference?

(3) What is their NFL potential?

I ask because I think Northern Iowa has a real shot of going all the way this year, and that includes victories over the Salukis, Sycamores, and Bison, who are having good years, also.

[pantherrob82]

This is a question/answer for UNI fans, notably clenz and whoever else wishes to participate. The only requirement is that you have seen the player in person at least once (in person or TV).

(1) How does quarterback Rennie compare to previous UNI quarterbacks? Same question for Johnson, Boothby, Anderson, and Sievertsen?

(2) How do these 4 players compare talent-wise to others in their position in the Missouri Valley Football Conference?

(3) What is their NFL potential?

I ask because I think Northern Iowa has a real shot of going all the way this year, and that includes victories over the Salukis, Sycamores, and Bison, who are having good years, also.

#1- Rennie doesn't compare in any way to any of them. Ever. Johnson reminds me a little of David Horne who transfered in from Nebraska IIRC. For as young as he is, if he stays healthy he could be a great back. Boothby is another standout lineman for our defense. Probably compares favorably with others who have gotten camp tryouts. Anderson reminds my of Corey Lewis, especially now that he has had two ankle injuries.

#2- I don't remember seeing another QB like Rennie in the MVFC. Only guy that comes to mind is Armanti Edwards, but he isn't as accomplished or as good in the passing game. Johnson has to be considered a Top 3 back in the MVFC. Boothby is Top 3. Anderson is hard to say. With two RBs and a RB at QB, it's hard to evaluate them individually.

#3- Rennie may have NFL potential at a different position. Quite the athlete. Johnson seems like he'd have a shot if he stays healthy and continues to progress. I think Boothby gets a look. Anderson is too small.

That's my opinion.

If UNI beats Indiana State and NDSU, I'd buy into your expectations.

[clenz]

1. Rennie doesn't compare to other UNI QB's. We've had slightly mobile QB's before but nothing like Rennie. By Johnson I'm sure you mean David? Tough to tell as he is only a freshman. He will split carries with Carlos Anderson (who you also mentioned I take it) so he may not have the best stats in school history but he has the talent to be at the top of the list. Carlos is just such a dynamic play maker. Bootbhy has the heart and determination of no player I've ever seen. He graduated last year with his BA (3.9 GPA) and is working on his MA in Kinesiology right now. He went to take his LSATS, or something like that, during fall camp. Coaches told him it would be okay to miss practice. He didn't. He showed up right at the start of stretch time, and from all accounts, sprinted in full pads from 500-600 yards away the entire distance so he wouldn't be late. Talent wise, all of them have the ability to be in the top 3-5 in school history - Rennie may have the toughest argument on that one just due to his style of play and only being here for two years.

2. Rennie and Anderson are probably the two most dynamic players in the conference. Are they more talented at their positions? Tough to say. There are better passers than Rennie, but none that come close to the combination he has. There isn't a RB in the conference as fast/shifty as Anderson, but at 5'8 170lbs he isn't much of a power threat like McNorton or Bell.

3. Rennie - pretty much zero. Anderson - maybe he catches a break and has some Darren Sproles in him if he gets into a camp. Johnson - tough to say as he is only a freshman. He is built like a BCS player though, he could be very special. Boothby won't get a shot because he is "too short" but I would love to see him get a shot.


With the talent we have, and it isn't just those four, UNI has one of the best secondaries in the conference and maybe the best top to bottom LB core in the conference....and maybe the best top to bottom DL in the conference, anything less than a title will be a disappointment this year.

[JayJ79]

I'd say it's tough to compare Rennie to previous UNI qb's, b/c UNI hasn't ever had that same type of qb before.
There have been Panthers qb's who have had mobility, but nothing near the level of TR.

That, and he has a darker complexion than previous UNI qbs... (no, I'm not seriously trying to start any race issue. just being my usual smartass self)

[clenz]

I'd say it's tough to compare Rennie to previous UNI qb's, b/c UNI hasn't ever had that same type of qb before.
There have been Panthers qb's who have had mobility, but nothing near the level of TR.

That, and he has a darker complexion than previous UNI qbs... (no, I'm not seriously trying to start any race issue. just being my usual smartass self)

You do have a point...he is the first black QB at UNI. It takes some adjusting too for a fan base, and it has nothing to do with being racist. When a program has been around for about a century and then to have it's first black QB is a change. Michigan is in the same boat. Never had a black QB, now they have a black QB that is a Heisman contender, and the back up QB is black.


BTW, PantherRob is probably a better "historical" reference than I. I have vague knowledge of UNI prior to about 2002 ish, but Rob has been around for about 30 years.

[JayJ79]

I wonder if we've ever had any left-handed QBs.
(totally random tangent).

granted, I'm not sure I'd even notice if we did. (it would change up some of the mechanics as far as blind sides, blocking, handoffs, and the like. but I don't always pick up on those things)

[clenz]

I wonder if we've ever had any left-handed QBs.
(totally random tangent).

granted, I'm not sure I'd even notice if we did. (it would change up some of the mechanics as far as blind sides, blocking, handoffs, and the like. but I don't always pick up on those things)

Good question....I would think we have to have had a lefty QB at some point....even if it was when the wing-t was popular and UNI ran the ball 90% of the time....wait, the only difference between that and now is it's the pistol and shot gun instead of wing-t......even though some of our formations are the wing-t but in pistol or shut gun form.

[pantherrob82]

BTW, PantherRob is probably a better "historical" reference than I. I have vague knowledge of UNI prior to about 2002 ish, but Rob has been around for about 30 years.

Literally about 30 years since I turn 30 in Jan.

D1B, Cap'n Cat and I cover the early 80s to current. They played and were around until about the time I started going to games as a kid. Obviously the 7 year old me doesn' have a lot to say, but I remember a lot of those guys, and when I look back at stats and video it helps put the pieces together.

Clenz makes up for his lack of history with his overall sexiness and ability to tell you to STFU whether he is right or not.

[clenz]

Clenz makes up for his lack of history with his overall sexiness and ability to tell you to STFU whether he is right or not.

Everyone needs to be good at something.

[Trapped in CA]

Ben Boothby definately has the best hair in UNI FB history. People used to reference Sideshow Bob, but I doubt they would do it in person these days. Dude is crazy smart also - planning on going to Med School. Plays with heart - Coach Farley was going on about his work ethic like John Madden on Brett Farve. Probably considered too short for NFL.



The new kicker looks like he has a heck of a strong leg - consistently making 47 yards kicks with pretty of leg left. Probably has range of +/- 55.

LJ Fort may have an outside chance at an invite to a combine at LB.

[DJH]

I would say that this is probably the fastest, most athletic team that UNI has had by a wide margin. Overall talent? I'd say a few teams from the past had a little better talent. We've had teams that had multiple NFL players on the same O-line.

This year's D-line is not near the talent that we have had before, IMO. And this year's o-line is not near the overall talent that we have had in the past, IMO.

This could however be the most talented LB corp, and secondary that we have had though.

Rennie does not compare to past QBs talent wise. We have had some amazing QBs in our history. But he is the most dynamic QB we have ever had, and he is certainly great in his own right.