In the grand scheme of Iowa's offensive line play over the years, 2022 is one to forget. Between youth and a lack of experience, the Hawkeye OL struggled mightily last season.

Oh, the difference a year can make -- at least according to Kirk Ferentz.

"I think probably the most significant change on our team will be the maturity of our offensive line," he said in his opening statement at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday. "I'm looking forward to watching those guys compete."

So what does that mean?

"I'll give you two examples," Ferentz began later in the day. "Connor Colby -- I'm watching him yesterday and I said 'This guy was in his second year last year, and we were treating him like he was a returning starter. That was his second year in college!' There was a time when offensive linemen played in [year] four and five."

"Same for Logan Jones," he continued. "Logan probably should get a medal for the way he played last year. What he did was so difficult -- moving [from defensive line] in March and then starting every game, and he played pretty well. This guy, everything he does is at such a high level. To think he's not going to be better this year and next year, like, seriously? I'd say the same thing about Connor. I think he'll be at a different level physically, certainly in maturity and he'll understand coaching a little bit better. It's asking an awful lot for a first or second year guy to go out there and play well. At that position especially. It's really challenging. I would suggest Tristan Wirfs was better in year three than years one and two."

That sentiment is maintained for nearly all the guys that return on the OL for the Hawkeyes in 2023.

"I feel good about the whole group that way," Ferentz said. "I mean, I go right down the list. Every guy is a better player than they were -- I can't say that about Mason (Richman) because we didn't have him out there this spring. But, he'll be healthy this year, he's a year more mature -- I'm around him frequently -- and he'll play at a much higher level, too."

"Gennings Dunker has great potential," he added. "But, he's missed a lot of time since he's been here. Based on the limited stuff I saw in the spring -- he was out there probably six or seven practices -- there's a lot to be encouraged about. Even when he was doing things wrong technically, it still looked okay. So if we can get him to do things the way he needs to do it, it might look really good."

It doesn't end with the incumbent offensive line members. The Hawkeyes will likely lean on OL grad transfers Rusty Feth and Daijon Parker this season.

"Both are mature and really operate at a high level," Ferentz said. "We'll learn more about them soon. Both of them are older guys, and they're really focused on the right things. They've been really strong additions to our team that way, and anytime you lose players, to get guys with positive experience is a good thing."

Ultimately the change from inexperienced to experienced on the offensive line comes from opening up a lineman's vision, and honing his technique -- two changes Ferentz hopes he'll see in 2023.

"The difference between the two is looking left and looking right to see things," he said. "Great players have vision. Johnathan Ogden playing left tackle knew what the safety on the other side of the field was doing. He just had that vision. That takes a lot of work. It takes a lot of time and repetition. That's a big part of it."

"Learning the technique -- it's hard," Ferentz continued. "It's very different than what most guys know. What we do is a little foreign. You have to learn how to do it. It's hard work. That's not to mention the strength and conditioning aspect. Stuff happens fast up there. Experienced guys process things faster. They react quicker."

Lastly, he made sure to emphasize his belief in the O-line coach he hired in March 2021.

"George Barnett is an awesome coach," Ferentz said. "I don't know if he gets beat up on social media or not, but I'm a little discriminant about offensive line coaches. George is an unbelievable line coach."

Though the lack of experience reared its ugly head last season, Ferentz believes his men upfront will change things in 2023.

"I don't want to say we've just been surviving, but there's a difference between doing your job and doing your job well -- having some control," he said. "I just think we're closer to that point. We're not there yet by any stretch, we really need a good month. I think we'll have a chance to play at the standard we're looking for."