The quarterback that will be under center for the Iowa Hawkeyes in Week 1 is a bit murkier of an answer and not as defined as some may think or like. The Hawkeyes have a new offensive coordinator in Tim Lester, but this spring will be the first time his offense is revealed and how it is handled by whoever takes first-team reps.
Should Cade McNamara return from his ACL injury and be healthy, the job is his and the question is answered. The murkiness here comes from two significant injuries suffered by McNamara. Can he return to full health? That question puts Iowa’s QB situation among ESPN’s most intriguing.
The key newcomer isn’t a quarterback but a playcaller in Tim Lester, hired to replace Brian Ferentz. Lester, who coached Western Michigan from 2017 to 2022, last served as a college coordinator in 2015 at Syracuse. He inherits a veteran in McNamara but also a quarterback who has dealt with injuries throughout his time at Iowa and in his final season at Michigan in 2022. McNamara, limited by a quad injury during preseason camp, sustained a torn ACL in a Week 5 win against Michigan State. – Adam Rittenberg, ESPN
Be it limited health, an offense set up for failure, or what have you, Cade McNamara and the Hawkeyes did not have things going early last season. Rittenberg also points out that McNamara not only has to return after a major injury but do so while learning an entirely new offensive scheme. Should things go awry, where does Iowa turn?
Hill replaced McNamara last fall and had a solid stretch in early-to-mid November before faltering in postseason play. He would need to show significantly more consistency as a passer to unseat McNamara. The young quarterbacks are worth tracking, especially given McNamara’s injury history. Lainez had 51 rushing yards in an otherwise miserable Citrus Bowl loss to Tennessee. Resar, a high three-star prospect from Florida, provides both size and dual-threat skills to an offense that could use both at quarterback. – Rittenberg, ESPN
Although he is rostered, the likelihood of Deacon Hill returning to the helm if it is anyone aside from McNamara has to be slim. The Hawkeyes won games in spite of him, not because of him.
James Resar has attractive intangibles and could garner some interest but the buck stops there. The likelihood of Iowa trotting out a freshman quarterback don’t exist. The curious name to watch here is Marco Lainez. He is a highly touted recruit that flashed in very limited time. If he can pick up the passing game, his name is one to watch if Iowa needs to fill in an injury or hand the ball over to a reliever to figure things out.
Projected Week 1 starter: McNamara. Lester might be new, but this is still coach Kirk Ferentz’s program. McNamara will get every opportunity to secure the top job. The bigger question is whether his health holds up and, if not, whether Hill or another contender can seize the opportunity. – Rittenberg, ESPN
As much as things change, they also stay the same. This is the Iowa Hawkeyes. Kirk Ferentz is the head coach. The boat never rocks too much and drastic moves simply don’t happen. However it is spun, the job is Cade McNamara’s to lose.
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