Half the coaching staff and several analysts began poring through more than 100 portal prospects as of Monday. In the past, Iowa cautiously selected a few players to target and usually wound up with one or two. This time, the staff is targeting anyone, especially offensive players who fit with incoming quarterback Cade McNamara, who committed to Iowa on Thursday.

“You have to change your framework and your perspective,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “For every guy we recruit, our goal is to have them graduate from Iowa and finish their careers there. And if that’s not possible, then we’ll look for guys who may be interested in doing that.”

At this moment, Iowa has 78 scholarships pledged for current players (58) and recruits/incoming transfers (20). Here’s a snapshot of each position group based on its current standing and the players’ 2023 status.

Quarterback

On roster (4 scholarships): Cade McNamara, Sr. (incoming transfer, two years of eligibility); Joe Labas, Soph.; Carson May, R-Fr.; Marco Lainez III, incoming freshman.

Departures: Spencer Petras (graduate), Alex Padilla (graduate transfer).

Analysis: McNamara enters the offseason as the unquestioned starter. At Michigan in 2021, McNamara completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,576 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He was a team captain and led the Wolverines to the Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff berth.

The battle for No. 2 should be exciting. With Petras out following shoulder surgery and Padilla in the portal, Labas and May will compete for the next three weeks for starting snaps in the Music City Bowl. The winner will have the edge over No. 2 next season.

But there is excitement around Lainez, and he could vault up the depth chart very quickly.

What’s next?: Actually, this position group is pretty well set. There’s a chance Iowa snags someone else in the portal but only as a backup. Nobody is beating out McNamara.

Running back

On roster (4): Leshon Williams, Jr.; Kaleb Johnson, Soph.; Jaziun Patterson, R-Fr., Kamari Moulton, Fr.

Departures: Gavin Williams (transfer), FB Monte Pottebaum (graduate), FB Turner Pallissard (graduate).

Analysis: Johnson began the year as the backfield’s third option and ended it as one of the Big Ten’s top ascending runners. He finished with 762 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 5.4 yards per carry. No other Iowa runner hit even 4.0 yards per carry. Leshon Williams was a solid combination back alongside Johnson. Gavin Williams opted to transfer after slipping to No. 3 on the depth chart.

What’s next?: Iowa has become active in seeking another running back, either through the portal or an incoming freshman. Stanford transfer Arlen Harris, new high school offer Deago Benson and current high school running back Arnold Barnes (who initially chose Nebraska over Iowa last month) are possibilities, but the staff is looking at multiple portal candidates from the SEC as well.

Wide receiver

On roster (6): Diante Vines, Jr.; Brody Brecht, Soph.; Jacob Bostick, R-Fr.; Alex Mota, Fr., Jarriett Buie, Fr., Dayton Howard, Fr.

Departures: Nico Ragaini (graduate), Arland Bruce IV (transfer), Keagan Johnson (transfer).

Analysis: No position group has endured more turnover or requires a bigger talent upgrade than wide receiver. Of the current six scholarships dedicated to the 2023 roster, four have never played a snap. After returning from a broken wrist, Vines started four games and caught eight passes for 71 yards. Brecht started five games after returning from a summer hamstring injury and had nine catches for 87 yards. Brecht is a Major League Baseball prospect as a pitcher so at some point he’ll shut down football.

What’s next?: This is where the portal comes into play in a big way. Half of Iowa’s coaching staff has divided up the portal transfers for quick evaluations, and wide receivers coach Kelton Copeland is hitting the road in recruiting. Among the available receivers the staff has considered or is pursuing are Seth Anderson (Charleston Southern), Isaac TeSlaa (Hillsdale College), Makai Jackson (St. Francis, Pa.), Traeshon Holden (Alabama), Ryan O’Keefe (UCF), Dante Cephus (Kent State) and Grant DuBose (Charlotte). Look for a minimum of two players joining the roster in January.

Tight end

On roster (5): Steven Stilianos, Sr.; Luke Lachey, Jr., Addison Ostrenga, Soph.; Cael Vanderbush, R-Fr., Zach Ortwerth, Fr.

Departures: Sam LaPorta (graduate).

Analysis: LaPorta, a Mackey Award finalist and the Big Ten’s tight end of the year, was Iowa’s biggest offensive weapon. His loss is significant. But Lachey is Iowa’s next NFL tight end prospect after 25 catches for 362 yards and a team-best eight touchdowns. Stilianos arrived as a graduate transfer and was used primarily as a goal-line blocker. Ostrenga developed into a nice third-receiving option by the season’s end.

What’s next?: Iowa has looked in the portal for a quality tight end alongside Lachey, and the best portal option could be Michigan’s Erick All, who caught 38 passes for 437 yards and two scores in 2021 with McNamara. All had back surgery in October and should be ready for next season. With a healthy All and Lachey, the Hawkeyes could again have one of the nation’s top tight end duos.

Offensive line

On roster (18): Justin Britt, Sr.; Nick DeJong, Sr.; Mason Richman, Jr.; Tyler Elsbury, Jr.; Logan Jones, Jr.; Connor Colby, Jr.; Beau Stephens, Soph.; Gennings Dunker, Soph.; Mike Myslinski, Soph.; David Davidkov, Soph.; Griffin Liddle, Soph.; Jack Dotzler, R-Fr.; Kale Krogh, R-Fr.; Kadyn Proctor, Fr.; Leighton Jones, Fr.; Trevor Lauck, Fr.; Cannon Leonard, Fr., Kade Pieper, Fr.

Departures: Jack Plumb (graduate), Matt Fagan (graduate), Tyler Endres (graduate), Josh Volk (transfer).

Analysis: Iowa struggled in pass protection (37 sacks) and with its rushing offense (2.9 yards per carry) this year. There was some growth with Richman, Jones and Colby (when he moved from tackle to guard) and others gained experience. But the unit was young and inconsistent and made far too many mistakes. Iowa needs major improvement in this area.

What’s next?: There are two priorities this offseason. The first is to keep Proctor, a five-star commit from the Des Moines area. He visited Oregon last month, and Alabama continues to pursue him. The other is to acquire a veteran lineman through the portal. Among those candidates are Javion Cohen (Alabama), Damieon George (Alabama) and Brey Walker (Oklahoma). Overall, there’s a desire to get bigger up front.

Defensive line

On roster (16): Logan Lee, Sr.; Chris Reames, Sr.; Deontae Craig, Jr.; Lukas Van Ness, Jr.; Yahya Black, Jr.; Ethan Hurkett, Jr.; Aaron Graves, Soph.; Max Llewellyn, Soph.; Jeremiah Pittman, Soph.; Jeff Bowie, Soph.; Anterio Thompson, incoming Soph. (junior college); Brian Allen, R-Fr.; Caden Crawford, R-Fr.; Chase Brackney, Fr.; Kenny Merrieweather, Fr.; Max Borcherding-Johnson, Fr.

Departures: John Waggoner (graduate), Noah Shannon (graduate), Joe Evans (graduate).

Analysis: By the season’s end, this was one of the nation’s top overall units. The departing group features toughness and technical proficiency. The younger holdovers ooze with potential and talent. Van Ness could become a preseason All-American if he doesn’t leave early for the NFL. Lee, Black and Graves have as much potential as any interior trio in the Ferentz era. Craig and Hurkett join Van Ness as high-level edge performers. All the unit needs is for a few younger players to join the rotation.

What’s next?: Iowa won’t shy away from picking up either a high-powered edge rusher or a rotational inside defender (like Western Michigan’s Braden Fiske) but on the priority scale, it’s way down there. This is an elite unit that doesn’t require a single addition. It’s also possible one of the departures could end up staying as a sixth-year player, too.

Linebacker

On roster (10): Jay Higgins, Sr.; Kyler Fisher, Sr.; Jaden Harrell, Soph.; Karson Sharer, Soph.; Zach Twedt, Soph.; Justice Sullivan, Soph.; Jaden Montgomery, R-Fr.; Landyn Van Kekerix, R-Fr.; Ben Kueter, Fr.; Aidan Hall, Fr.

Departures: Jack Campbell (graduate), Seth Benson (graduate), Logan Klemp (graduate), Jestin Jacobs (transfer).

Analysis: Depleted doesn’t begin to describe Iowa’s linebacking corps for next year. Campbell was the Big Ten’s defensive player of the year and Benson was a second-team All-Big Ten performer. Jacobs, an upper-level talent, was a surprise transfer portal addition who suffered a torn biceps in the fourth game and missed the rest of the season. Higgins saw plenty of action at weak side linebacker but is the only proven player.

What’s next?: There is some uncertainty. The staff is high on Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann, who would fit right in next to Higgins. It’s possible Benson could return for a sixth year. But along with an experienced transfer, the team needs to build depth right away. Don’t count on another Campbell any time soon.

Defensive back

On roster (14): Sebastian Castro, Sr.; Quinn Schulte, Sr.; Jermari Harris, Jr.; Cooper DeJean, Jr.; A.J. Lawson, Jr.; Brendan Deasfernandes, Jr.; Xavier Nwankpa, Soph.; T.J. Hall, Soph.; Deavin Hilson, Soph.; Koen Entringer, R-Fr.; Deshaun Lee, R-Fr.; John Nestor, Fr.; Zach Lutmer, Fr.; Kahlil Tate, Fr.

Departures: Riley Moss (graduate), Terry Roberts (graduate transfer), Kaevon Merriweather (graduate), Dallas Craddieth (graduate), Reggie Bracy (transfer).

Analysis: Moss and Merriweather formed the backbone of Iowa’s secondary this year and will be missed. Schulte and DeJean were first-year starters who performed beyond their expectations. Castro became the cash defender when Roberts suffered a leg injury and competed at a high level. Nwankpa, a five-star recruit, should step in as a starter at safety. Harris, who had four interceptions in 2021, returns after missing the entire season with an injury. As always, depth is a concern. As always, defensive coordinator Phil Parker finds a way to fix any problems.

What’s next?: Iowa is eyeing a few graduate transfers to compete at cornerback, and it’s possible Roberts could return for a sixth year. With the quintet of DeJean-Harris-Castro-Schulte-Nwankpa, Iowa should have another outstanding secondary. The questions come down to how Parker feels about the unit’s health and depth.

Special teams

On roster (1): Tory Taylor, Sr.

Departures: none

Analysis: The biggest question mark comes with Taylor. If he declares for the NFL, Iowa needs to pick up a replacement. True freshman kicker Drew Stevens hit 16 of 18 field goals this year and could wind up on scholarship. Long-snapper Luke Elkin, currently a walk-on, will be a junior next year.

What’s next?: It all comes down to Taylor, who is 25 years old. If he returns, Iowa once again will have one of the nation’s best special teams units. If not, then punter becomes a priority for this team.