Iowa OC Tim Lester shares early impressions of new Hawkeye QBs

Tim Lester shared his first thoughts on the additions of Hank Brown and Jimmy Sullivan.

Iowa has added two new signal-callers to its quarterbacks room heading into the 2025 college football season.

The Hawkeyes brought in former Auburn quarterback Hank Brown via the transfer portal and inked Jimmy Sullivan in their 2025 signing class.

Fortunately for Iowa, the Hawkeyes got an early look at those two during their bowl prep, too. Though they couldn’t play versus Missouri, both Brown and Sullivan joined Iowa for the team’s final bowl prep.

Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester didn’t wait to give its new pair of signal-callers opportunities in those final practices.

“I think the biggest thing with quarterbacks, you know, when they come to practice for bowls, I mean, they are spinning, right? Coach does a great job. We talk about being a development program. So we were able to get him and Jimmy, our two new quarterbacks.

“They can’t play in the game, but at the end of practice we always do a devo period, a development period. I just threw them in, both of them. They had literally been there 24, 48 hours, and I got them running the show,” Lester said.

Lester liked the early impressions from each.

“Those are invaluable for the next month before they actually show up where they’re at now compared to where they were six days ago. Such a huge opportunity for them. I’m excited for both of them. They both had ups and downs in their six days here, but they’ve definitely showed some promise.

“Smart, good feet. Hopefully just trying to build that room to have a bunch of competition in the room. It’s always the most important room to have good competition in, and I think we’re going to have that,” Lester said.

Brown joins the Hawkeyes after spending two years with Auburn. The 6-foot-4, 210 pound quarterback appeared in three games with the Tigers this season, completing 27-of-43 passes (62.7%) for 403 yards with six touchdowns against three interceptions.

Brown saw action against Alabama A&M, New Mexico and Arkansas during the 2024 season. The Nashville, Tenn., product also played in the Tigers’ bowl game to end the 2023 season versus Maryland.

Brown completed 7-of-9 passes for 132 yards against the Terps.

Out of Lipscomb Academy, Brown was a three-star signee per the 247Sports Composite rankings. Brown was ranked as the No. 60 quarterback and as the No. 34 player from Tennessee according to 247Sports in the class of 2023.

247Sports ranked Brown as a three-star transfer, as its No. 41 quarterback and as the 266th-ranked player nationally.

A three-star signee, Jimmy Sullivan arrives in Iowa out of Carroll High School in Indiana. Sullivan is ranked as the No. 64 quarterback and as the No. 21 player from Indiana per 247Sports in the 2025 signing class.

Iowa returns Brendan Sullivan who started the Hawkeyes’ bowl game versus the Tigers and two other games in the 2024 season. The Hawkeyes also bring back walk-on Jackson Stratton who started a pair of games in 2024.

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Auburn wide receiver Sam Jackson V to enter transfer portal

Jackson departs after spending one season on the Plains.

Auburn has reportedly lost a wide receiver to the transfer portal in the 11th hour.

Ahead of the Dec. 28 closure of the transfer portal window,  Auburn wide receiver [autotag]Sam Jackson V[/autotag] has entered the transfer portal according to a report by Caleb Jones of Rivals.

Jackson joined Auburn’s roster ahead of the 2024 season as a wide receiver after spending his first three collegiate seasons as a quarterback. His time as a wide receiver on the Plains was limited as he appeared in just three games for the Tigers, hauling two catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson caught just two of eight targeted passes with one drop. His best performance of the season came in Auburn’s 73-7 season-opening win over Alabama A&M, where he hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass from former Auburn quarterback [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag] in the fourth quarter.

Jackson joins fellow wide receivers [autotag]Camden Brown[/autotag] and [autotag]Caleb Burton[/autotag] by departing the program in favor of entering the transfer portal. Brown recently committed to Georgia Southern while Burton is still searching for a new home.

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Kirk Ferentz shares first remarks on new Iowa QB Hank Brown

Kirk Ferentz shared his first remarks on new Iowa QB Hank Brown.

Before his team departs to Nashville, Tenn., for the TransPerfect Music City Bowl against Missouri (9-3, 5-3 SEC), Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz met with reporters and shared his first remarks on new Hawkeye quarterback Hank Brown.

“It’s like anything you do in the portal. If you go to the portal, you’re trying to improve your depth, trying to improve the level of competition at any given position. Obviously, we’re a little thin at that spot right now body-wise. Need some guys that we think have a chance to really develop and grow.

“I know Tim has been really thorough with his evaluations on everybody, including high school film. That was a big part of the evaluation, going back and watching all the prospects that we look at in high school, following it to whatever college tape may be there. I think the things that Tim is looking for, he found that with Hank,” Ferentz said of Brown.

A transfer from Auburn, Brown joins Iowa with three seasons of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-4, 210 pound quarterback appeared in three games with the Tigers this season, completing 27-of-43 passes (62.7%) for 403 yards with six touchdowns against three interceptions.

Brown saw action against Alabama A&M, New Mexico and Arkansas during the 2024 season. The Nashville, Tenn., product also played in the Tigers’ bowl game to end the 2023 season versus Maryland where Brown completed 7-of-9 passes for 132 yards against the Terps.

“The other key component is what is it going to be like when we meet the prospect, his family, how we feel they’re going to fit in the program. Vice versa, it has to be a mutual deal. Felt really good about it. We’re excited about it,” Ferentz said.

Brown joins an Iowa quarterback room that features Brendan Sullivan, Jackson Stratton and class of 2025 signee Jimmy Sullivan.

Brown is already with Iowa and he and Sullivan are joining the Hawkeyes for their final bowl practices. Neither can play in the bowl game, but it’s an early jump for the Iowa staff to see those two in action.

“It’s new for us, yeah. At least we’ll get eyes on these guys, get them out there. Tim will have them totally confused by Monday. They can travel with us to the bowl game but they can’t play,” Ferentz said.

Out of Lipscomb Academy, Brown was a three-star signee per the 247Sports Composite rankings. Brown was ranked as the No. 60 quarterback and as the No. 34 player from Tennessee according to 247Sports in the class of 2023.

247Sports ranked Brown as a three-star transfer, as its No. 41 quarterback and as the 266th-ranked player nationally.

Iowa (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) battles Missouri in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 at 1:30 p.m. CT from Nissan Stadium to close its 2024 season.

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Recent transfer joining Iowa football during bowl practices

Hank Brown and Jimmy Sullivan are joining for Iowa’s final bowl practices.

Though they can’t play in the bowl game, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz revealed on Friday that new quarterbacks Hank Brown and Jimmy Sullivan will get their feet wet with the Hawkeyes before the 2024 season ends.

Brown joined Iowa as a transfer portal addition from Auburn, while Sullivan is the lone quarterback in Iowa’s 2025 signing class.

“Preparation-wise, we have a couple new players joining us actually tonight I think it is. They’ll be on the field as I understand it tomorrow. Two new quarterbacks joining us. Hank Brown coming from Auburn University. He’s going to transfer. Played his high school football in Nashville, coincidentally.

“Jimmy Sullivan is going to be joining us also, a high school midyear graduate. He’ll start classes here in January. He’s able to practice with us here for whatever it is, five days before the game. Great to have those guys both join us. Obviously they’re not going to be playing, but get them indoctrinated,” Ferentz said.

Though it will be abbreviated, getting Brown and Sullivan into the mix right now does afford Iowa’s staff an early look at the duo before this spring.

“It’s new for us, yeah. At least we’ll get eyes on these guys, get them out there. Tim will have them totally confused by Monday. They can travel with us to the bowl game but they can’t play,” Ferentz said.

Brown joins the Hawkeyes after spending two years with Auburn. The 6-foot-4, 210 pound quarterback appeared in three games with the Tigers this season, completing 27-of-43 passes (62.7%) for 403 yards with six touchdowns against three interceptions.

Brown saw action against Alabama A&M, New Mexico and Arkansas during the 2024 season. The Nashville, Tenn., product also played in the Tigers’ bowl game to end the 2023 season versus Maryland.

Brown completed 7-of-9 passes for 132 yards against the Terps.

Out of Lipscomb Academy, Brown was a three-star signee per the 247Sports Composite rankings. Brown was ranked as the No. 60 quarterback and as the No. 34 player from Tennessee according to 247Sports in the class of 2023.

247Sports ranked Brown as a three-star transfer, as its No. 41 quarterback and as the 266th-ranked player nationally.

A three-star signee, Jimmy Sullivan arrives in Iowa out of Carroll High School in Indiana. Sullivan is ranked as the No. 64 quarterback and as the No. 21 player from Indiana per 247Sports in the 2025 signing class.

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On3 projects former Auburn QB Walker White to land at Big 12 program

Could Auburn see Walker White again in the future?

One former Auburn quarterback, [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag], has found a new home with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Another former signal-caller is reportedly close to announcing his transfer destination.

Pete Nakos and Steve Wiltfong of On3 have submitted a prediction for former Auburn quarterback Walker White to join the Baylor Bears with 60% confidence. The deal could be announced soon as White is scheduled to visit Baylor on Friday.

On3’s projection of White to Baylor is interesting, as the Tigers will travel to Waco to face Baylor on Aug. 30, 2025, to kick off the season.

According to 247Sports, White was the No. 5 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting cycle and Auburn’s fifth-highest-rated signee of the class behind players such as wide receiver [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] and linebacker [autotag]Demarcus Riddick[/autotag].

White appeared in one game for Auburn this season, completing 2-of-5 passes for 18 yards in Auburn’s 48-14 win over ULM on Nov. 16. White was expected to be a key piece of future Tiger offenses, but with the signing of five-star Deuce Knight and the incoming transfers of former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold and former Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels, White elected to find a new home and grab a fresh start.

Several notable players from Auburn’s 2024 roster who have found new homes in the transfer portal are wide receiver Camden Brown (Georgia Southern), tight end Micah Riley (Texas A&M), and defensive back Antonio Kite (Ole Miss). Learn more about Auburn’s outgoing transfers by checking out Auburn Wire’s transfer portal tracker.

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Iowa officially announces signing of Auburn transfer QB Hank Brown

It’s official. Former Auburn QB Hank Brown has signed with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The Iowa Hawkeyes officially have their first transfer portal signee.

Iowa’s official account on X revealed that former Auburn quarterback Hank Brown is inked as a Hawkeye.

With the caption “Hank is a Hawk,” Iowa confirmed that Brown is joining the black and gold.

On3’s Hayes Fawcett broke the news last Friday that Brown had committed to Iowa, but the post from the University of Iowa account officializes it.

Brown joins the Hawkeyes after spending two years with Auburn. The 6-foot-4, 210 pound quarterback appeared in three games with the Tigers this season, completing 27-of-43 passes (62.7%) for 403 yards with six touchdowns against three interceptions.

Brown saw action against Alabama A&M, New Mexico and Arkansas during the 2024 season. The Nashville, Tenn., product also played in the Tigers’ bowl game to end the 2023 season versus Maryland.

Brown completed 7-of-9 passes for 132 yards against the Terps.

Out of Lipscomb Academy, Brown was a three-star signee per the 247Sports Composite rankings. Brown was ranked as the No. 60 quarterback and as the No. 34 player from Tennessee according to 247Sports in the class of 2023.

247Sports ranked Brown as a three-star transfer, as its No. 41 quarterback and as the 266th-ranked player nationally.

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Auburn football lands Oklahoma transfer QB Jackson Arnold

Has Auburn found its QB1 for the 2025 season?

Following the graduation of [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], the Auburn Tigers must look to a new name to lead the offense as the team’s starting quarterback.

Their search may have ended on Saturday morning.

Pete Nakos of On3 reports that former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold, who visited Auburn on Friday, has committed to the Tigers. He commits to Auburn after passing for 1,984 yards and 16 touchdowns in 16 games throughout two seasons.

Auburn head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] says that Arnold is a quarterback who can succeed at Auburn due to his understanding of the current offensive system.

“He’s as natural operating the RPO game as any kid mechanically that I’ve seen,” Freeze said Saturday. “I’ve seen enough on tape that he has a clear understanding of it. The thing that excites me the most is his mechanics are as good as they get. We’re not going to have to change a thing with that.”

Arnold signed with Oklahoma as the No. 4 quarterback of the 2023 recruiting cycle, a class that included Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, and South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers. The Denton, Texas native won Gatorade Player of the Year for his state after a senior season in 2023 that saw him pass for 3,476 yards and 33 touchdowns while rushing for an additional 921 yards and 24 scores.

According to Auburn athletics’ official website, Arnold is the highest-rated quarterback (based on high school ratings) to sign with Auburn. Arnold, along with 2025 signee [autotag]Deuce Knight[/autotag], will be the first five-star duo to grace the Auburn quarterback room at the same time.

Arnold will now join a quarterback competition between redshirt freshman [autotag]Walker White[/autotag] and 2025 signee Deuce Knight. Following the departures of [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag], Auburn is expected to add one more quarterback to its 2025 depth chart. Names to watch for in this regard are former Duke QB Maalik Murphy and former Stanford QB Ashton Daniels.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDkCESjxKN6/

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Former Tiger Hank Brown commits to Iowa

Brown will try to capture the starting job for the Hawkeyes next season

A former Auburn quarterback has found a new home. Shortly after entering the transfer portal earlier this week, sophomore quarterback Hank Brown committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday.

Despite playing well in relief duty of Payton Thorne in the Music City Bowl in 2023, the Nashville, TN native failed to earn the starting signal-caller job for the Tigers in 2024. Still, Brown eventually was thrust into the role after the aforementioned Thorne struggled early in the season. After a nice debut, Brown was forced back to the bench after a brutal three-interception first half against Arkansas.

Brown did not suit up again as the Auburn quarterback, and was seemingly demoted to the bottom of the depth chart after freshman Walker White saw “mop up duty” snaps late in the season. He finished his Auburn career with 403 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions in parts of four games with the Tigers.

Still with three years of eligibility remaining, Brown now joins an Iowa quarterback room that is almost empty following starter Cade McNamara and two of his backups decision enter the transfer portal themselves. While the Hawkeyes are likely to acquire a more seasoned starter as well, Brown likely has a better opportunity to earn the starting role than he would have had against five-star Deuce Knight, sophomore Walker White, and whichever transfer portal quarterback(s) Hugh Freeze and his staff bring to the Plains next season.

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‘I like what I see so far’: Maalik Murphy enjoys recent visit to Auburn

Auburn made quite the impression on Murphy during his two-day visit.

Duke transfer quarterback [autotag]Maalik Murphy[/autotag]’s recent visit to Auburn is credited as a success.

Auburn was the first stop on Murphy’s quest to find a new home after a successful redshirt freshman season at Duke. Murphy spent two days exploring Auburn’s campus and football facilities and meeting Auburn’s coaching staff. Murphy spoke with the media during his visit, where he broke down his positive experience on the Plains.

“This has been great,” Murphy said Wednesday. “Being here, being able to meet all the coaches, and be around the facilities, see the place for my first time. I’ve never been to Auburn before, and I like what I see so far.”

While on campus, Murphy spent time getting to know Auburn’s coaches and learning how he would be used in the offense should he sign with the Tigers. He listed that aspect of the visit as a positive as well.

“That’s huge for a quarterback, being able to relate to his head coach, and him being the guy that’s calling your play,” Murphy said. “So it’s been good to see it and kind of take mental notes of how I can see myself in the offense and produce.”

Murphy passed for nearly 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns for Duke in 2024, his lone season following his transfer from Texas. According to Adam Cole of The Montgomery Advertiser, Murphy’s only scheduled visit so far and there is no timetable for a commitment. Auburn is looking to fill the void left behind by two-year starter [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], as well as departing transfers [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag] and [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag]. Auburn is also scheduled to host Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold for a visit this week.

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Former Auburn QB Hank Brown to visit Big Ten program

The former Auburn QB will look to find another starting opportunity at a fellow Power Four program.

Former Auburn quarterback [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag] is looking for a new home and could find a suitor in the Big Ten.

According to a report by Pete Nakos of On3, Brown will visit Iowa on Thursday, his first known visit of the window.

Brown entered the transfer portal this week after spending two seasons on the Plains. He played in one game as a true freshman, completing seven passes for 132 yards in Auburn’s Music City Bowl loss to Maryland. He saw action in three games as a redshirt freshman in 2024, earning two starts. He excelled in his first start against New Mexico by passing for four touchdowns. However, he was removed from his start against Arkansas one week later after throwing three interceptions in the first half.

Brown signed with Auburn as a three-start quarterback from the 2024 recruiting cycle. Originally committed to play for Hugh Freeze at Liberty, Brown followed Freeze to Auburn by committing to the program one day before signing with the Tigers on Dec. 21, 2022. His Auburn career ends with 403 passing yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Brown joins [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] as an Auburn quarterback currently looking for a new home in the transfer portal. [autotag]Walker White[/autotag] returns to the unit, while [autotag]Deuce Knight[/autotag] is set to join the program as a true freshman ahead of next season. Freeze will look to add two quarterbacks from the transfer portal in this window to fill the void left behind by Brown and Geriner.

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