No. 3 WR, what's at stake?

It's not right tackle or center or kicker, but the race for Iowa's No. 3 receiver is interesting on a couple of counts.

First, it features two players in completely different stages of their careers.

Colin Sandeman will be a senior next fall. He was sort of having a depth chart career (10 receptions in two seasons) until a revival of sorts in 2009. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder caught 14 passes for 136 yards and a TD last season, a 21-yarder in the Orange Bowl, his first TD reception in 23 games. He also finished second in the Big Ten with 9.0 yards on 12 punt returns.

Sophomore Keenan Davis spent last season learning on the job. As a true freshman, he caught four passes for 55 yards and a TD. He didn't catch a pass in Iowa's last eight games. Nothing to read into that. There simply was a lot of firepower ahead of him. His best days are ahead of him. Could that be this year?

The second factor is the amount of production expected out of the No. 3 wide receiver.

In 2009, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos led the Hawkeyes with 45 receptions for 750 yards and two TDs (16.7 yards a reception). Junior Marvin McNutt was next with 34 grabs for 674 yards and eight TDs (19.8 yards a catch, highest since Andy Brodell's 18.56 in 2006).

Trey Stross was No. 3 with 31 catches for 414 yards and one TD (2.4 receptions a game).

Going back the last five seasons, the production from Iowa's No. 3 WR has varied. Here's a quick breakdown:

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2009

Trey Stross 31-414 1 TD

2008

Stross 13-109 1 TD

2007

Paul Chaney Jr. 19-210 1 TD

2006

Herb Grigsby 27-282 0 TD

2005

Grigsby 25-335 3 TD

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In '08, the numbers took a hit with a Doak Walker Award-winning running back and three talented TEs in the mix (Brandon Myers, Tony Moeaki and Allen Reisner). The '07 numbers went along with the offense, the worst in the Big Ten that season.

On average, the No. 3 receiver the last five seasons has averaged 23 receptions for 270 yards -- a pretty good haul, not a major but an important component to a healthy offense.

Spring practice might not shed a lot of light on this one, but coach Kirk Ferentz was asked about both during his spring opener news conference.

He compared Davis' career arc to A.J. Edds, the probably-on-the-NFL linebacker who also played as a true frosh.

"He played a lot his freshman year, true freshman year, but he played a lot and I think that year really benefited and gave him confidence that following spring," Ferentz said. "We're hoping to see that with Keenan.

"I think we should. I think he's a more mature guy than he was, obviously, and he's certainly more comfortable with what he's doing. We hope to see him at a whole different speed this spring and we're optimistic we will."

Iowa's wide receiver depth chart for 2011 sort of empties. DJK and Sandeman, Chaney and Don Nordmann (don't discount the 6-6, 211-pounder) are seniors.

Davis could put his foot in the door as a No. 2 to McNutt in 2011.

"It's important, it's like the linebackers," Ferentz said. "I think we have four senior receivers right now and we need some young guys stepping up their game.

"Marvin played well last year, especially well at times, but he's still learning and his best football should be in front of him. With a little bit of luck, he'll have this coming year like Clayborn did last year where he really starts to play consistently at a level we think he's capable of."

Sandeman had his best season in '09 despite a couple round of injuries. He missed all of fall camp with a hamstring strain. Then, he suffered a concussion against Michigan State and missed two games.

He led the Hawkeyes in receiving against Arizona (five receptions for 47 yards) and had a productive Orange Bowl, grabbing four for 53 and a TD.

"Colin's big problem last year was just injuries," Ferentz said. "Unfortunately had a tough year that way, but when he's been in and been healthy, we've all seen he can do some really nice things, starting with punt returns. And then the bowl game, we got a glimpse of what he's capable of doing."

Ferentz also noted Sandeman's blocking, specially against Arizona when running back Adam Robinson popped a 43-yarder on a third-and-23.

Regardless of his receiving numbers, Sandeman's role as punt returner will be prominent. He's made a strength.

The rest is up to health.

"It's his fifth year, his senior year," Ferentz said. "We'e hoping that he really hits the gas pedal and goes, too. He should."