Iowa QB Struggles Continue as Another Heads to the Transfer Portal

Can we please just catch a break! I don't even know what to think anymore as a lifelong Hawkeyes fan. Is it injuries? Is it substandard coaching? Or do Quarterbacks just despise the Hawkeyes and everything we stand for? It's becoming increasingly difficult to cheer on a team that can't consistently put a man behind center, despite usually finishing above .500 and surviving on defensive prowess and special teams alone.

The Iowa Hawkeyes' quarterback situation has been tumultuous, and recent developments highlight an ongoing struggle for stability at the position. Following a 2023 season marred by injuries and inconsistent play, three quarterbacks have now departed or are set to leave the program.

Deacon Hill entered the transfer portal after serving as Iowa's starter for much of 2023. Hill, who initially transferred from Wisconsin, stepped into the starting role after Cade McNamara's ACL injury but struggled with consistency. His departure left Iowa thin at quarterback depth heading into 2024​.

Cade McNamara, the former Michigan quarterback, announced he is entering the transfer portal once again. After transferring to Iowa with high hopes, McNamara's 2023 season was derailed by a knee injury early in the year, limiting his impact. Despite attempting to return for 2024, McNamara ultimately opted to move on, marking another high-profile QB departure for Iowa​.

Marco Lainez III, a promising young quarterback, also entered the transfer portal, further depleting Iowa's options at the position. Lainez, who was expected to develop into a key contributor, decided to seek opportunities elsewhere​.

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This string of departures highlights long-standing issues with Iowa's quarterback play, from poor offensive production to struggles in attracting and retaining talent. With new recruits and transfers on the horizon, Iowa must address these challenges to stabilize their offense and avoid repeating the cycle of uncertainty under center.

Iowa will face Missouri in the Music City Bowl on December 3oth at 1:30pm, marking their second appearance in the event in three years. Key running back Kaleb Johnson is sitting out to prepare for the NFL Draft, and the team’s performance will rely on quarterback Brendan Sullivan, whose play will influence Iowa's offseason direction. This game will also showcase future contributors, especially with the absence of Johnson. The outcome could hinge on how Iowa’s offense adapts without its star player.

In fact, since Brad Banks’ standout 2002 season, the Iowa Hawkeyes have had few truly successful quarterbacks who achieved significant individual or team accolades. While the program has maintained consistent success under head coach Kirk Ferentz, the quarterback position has rarely been a driving force.

Drew Tate (2003-2006): Tate is arguably Iowa's most successful quarterback after Banks. He led Iowa to a dramatic Capital One Bowl victory over LSU in 2005, a season where he threw for over 2,700 yards and 20 touchdowns. Despite his success, Tate was deemed undersized for a QB which accounted for some injury issues later in his Iowa career. He also showed some inconsistency when his aggressive play style led to a total of 29 interceptions, and 70 sacks taken.

Ricky Stanzi (2008-2010): Stanzi guided Iowa to an 11-2 record in 2009 and an Orange Bowl win. He finished his career with 56 touchdowns. However, his performance was plagued by inconsistency, especially early in his career. He was prone to making poor decisions and costly turnovers (31 career interceptions), which limited his overall effectiveness. His limited mobility (Sacked 54 times) meant he couldn’t extend plays or improvise effectively, which became a liability against aggressive defenses.

C.J. Beathard (2014-2016): Beathard led Iowa to a 12-0 regular season in 2015 and a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game. Though Iowa lost to Michigan State and later Stanford in the Rose Bowl, Beathard’s toughness and poise were critical to Iowa’s success​. That being said he never made it to an elite level, often criticized for his accuracy and decision making (13 interceptions), holding onto the ball to long (sacked 58 times), and injury issues to his groin and hip in the 2015 season.

Nate Stanley (2017-2019): Stanley provided some stability with 68 career touchdowns, including back-to-back seasons with 26 TD passes (2017, 2018). He helped Iowa secure wins in the Pinstripe Bowl and Outback Bowl​. However, he also struggled with accuracy on deep passes (23 career interceptions) and lacked mobility (sacked 61 times), much like Stanzi. Both those quarterbacks (and many since) represented Iowa's hallmark "game manager" style under Kirk Ferentz, excelling in structured systems, but struggling to adapt when faced with adversity or asked to carry the team with individual brilliance.

Of these Quarterbacks Stanzi, Beathard, and Stanley were drafted to the NFL but none of them have acquired starting jobs and have run the gambit from practice squads to basic backups. Iowa's only next-level successful QB was Chuck Long, who again, played as a backup in the NFL from 1986 to 1991 with the Detroit Lions and LA Rams.

It would be really nice to get off this quarterback carousel we call the Iowa offense, but until then, being a Hawkeyes fan seems destined to remain an act of attrition.