Iowa's 2005 recruiting class was, at least on paper, one of the most impressive hauls the Hawkeyes had
ever brought in.

Iowa capitalized on a brilliant three-year stretch of 10-win
seasons and January bowl trips by loading up on four- and five-star
recruits. It was a rarity for the Hawkeyes, who are known for
developing under-the-radar recruits, and many believed that class
would position it atop the Big Ten for years to come.

The book will effectively close on the Class of 2005 this
Saturday, when the 15th-ranked Hawkeyes (9-2, 5-2 Big Ten)
celebrate Senior Day at Kinnick Stadium before hosting Minnesota
(6-5, 3-4).

The remaining members of that class, many of whom are fifth-year
seniors, have seen more up-and-downs than they would have expected- most notably a 12-13 record in 2006 and 2007.

They're also a major reason why Iowa bounced back with a 9-4
finish in 2008 and is now in position for its first 10-win season
since 2004 and a possible BCS bowl bid.

"I've really enjoyed these last two years. We've had two groups
that have just been fun to be around," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz
said. "The seniors did a great job last year with the guys
underneath them helping out. I think those guys as they have moved
up the chain have carried it on."

As with most recruiting classes, some of the players Iowa
brought in never made it to senior day and some who did never lived
up to the hype.

The core of this year's team, though, is made up of players like
linebacker Pat Angerer, tight end Tony Moeaki, offensive lineman
Dace Richardson and wide receiver Trey Stross, who've battled
through injuries and some lean years for the program to provide
significant contributions in 2009.

Angerer, a native of Bettendorf, redshirted and then played
sparingly as a freshman in 2006. He was expected to contribute
heavily as a sophomore, but persistent injuries left him
contemplating whether he even wanted to keep playing.

It's a good thing for Iowa that he stuck with it.

Angerer exploded in 2008, earning second-team All-Big Ten
honors, and this season leads the Hawkeyes with 119 total tackles.

"These coaches have been unbelievable for us. They really focus
on technique with us and they continue to stick with us through the
ups and downs and that really means a lot," Angerer said.

Moeaki was considered one of the nation's top tight ends coming
out of high school, and he's been one of the best in college as
well when he's been healthy.

Moeaki was on pace for a breakout season in 2007, but he was
injured in the fourth game of the season and took a medical
redshirt. Moeaki was dogged by various injuries in 2008 and earlier
this season as well, but he enters Saturday's game with 26 catches
for 302 yards and four touchdowns.

Richardson was a coveted recruit as well, but persistent knee
issues kept him off the field as much as he was on it. He returned
as a guard this season and was likely on his way to All-Big Ten
honors before hurting his leg against Michigan State. He could be
back for Iowa's bowl game.

Stross has suffered through his own variety of bumps and
bruises, but he's responded with a career-high 27 receptions this
season.

Two notables from the Class of 2005 who won't didn't make it to
this season are running back Shonn Greene, who bolted for the NFL
after a record-setting 2008 season, and quarterback Jake
Christensen, a former four-star recruit who lost his job to Ricky
Stanzi last season and transferred to Eastern Illinois.

The list of seniors who'll run through the tunnel at Kinnick
Stadium for the final time won't exactly match the one envisioned
back in 2005, when Iowa's class was considered one of the nation's
best.

This season's results, though, are on par with what many
expected out of that vaunted class.

Iowa's senior class also includes standout offensive linemen
Kyle Calloway and Rafael Eubanks and linebacker A.J. Edds, a
three-year starter.

"We've faced a lot of different things in our five years,"
Eubanks said. "We have a chance to win 10 games and go out on a
high note."