Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz says the offensive line will be one of the most closely watched areas this spring. All-American tackle Robert Gallery is the only returning starter from a unit that many considered the best in the country last season. He says there are seven to nine guys who could end up lining up next to Gallery, and that’ll be determined through practice. Ferentz says the new faces will get severely tested this spring by a veteran defensive front, the reverse of what they went through last year when the defense was young. Ferentz says while there are some holes to fill it is not like they are starting over on the line.He says there are some things that won’t be as sharp, but he says compared to three or four years ago, they have guys who have Big Ten bodies and attitude, but just lack Big Ten experience. Ferentz says the newcomers have been in the program a few years and have waited for their chance.

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