The time is now for Iowa's receivers

Published Apr. 23, 2015 11:26 a.m. ET

foxsports

The position group group that clearly benefits the most from the coaches decision to make the change to C.J. Beathard is the pass catchers.

Everyone raves about his big arm and athleticism but his wideouts will have to continue to develop if the team's offense wants to take a step forward. Iowa wide receivers have long been a work in progress, but it looks like Tevaun Smith can be counted on as the main guy. As a junior last season he had 43 catches for a team-high 596 yards and three touchdowns.

The question remains, which of the other playmakers on the outside can step up? There are plenty of names in the mix like Adrian Falconer, redshirt freshman Jay Scheel or Andrew Stone. However, Rick Brown of the Des Moines Register offers a different suggestion, three-year letterman Jacob Hillyer.

Here is what Hillyer had to say recently about his role per Brown:

"There's always room to improve, at every position and every play," Hillyer said. I definitely want to increase my role. I love Iowa football, man. The coaches are great. I love my teammates. I may not get the ball as much as I want to. But everyone wants the ball."

If Hillyer or someone else can be a dependable number two next to Tevaun Smith, it could make Iowa a dangerous offense.

(h/t Des Moines Register)