Off Tackle Empire, for Big Ten coverage

Well, this sucks. Mracus Coker, 2nd team All Big Ten running back and workhorse for the 2011 Hawkeyes, is leaving. He's been on suspension since mid-December due to "a violation of University policies." His back-up, Mika'il McCall, announced his departure 10 days ago. In 2010, Sophomores Brandon Wegher, Jewel Hampton, and Adam Robinson all left the Hawkeyes program for personal and/or disciplinary reasons. For a school that runs an offense geared around the running back, running back attrition should not be this big of an issue. Yet, for the second straight year, Iowa will enter the 2012 season with only one running back who has ever received a start on the roster. In 2012, that will be Jordan Canzeri, the tiny, true Freshman who started the Insight Bowl. [UPDATE: Pat Vint takes on the role of mortician on the careers of the last 14 running backs to sign to play at Iowa. None of them has made it to his Senior season.]