With the departure of CJ Beathard to the San Francisco 49ers, a unique opening has presented itself for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the quarterbacks that remain on the roster. Gone is the locked in starter, and the spot is up for grabs this Summer for the right to be under center against Wyoming on September 2nd in Kinnick Stadium.
The Hawkeyes learned the hard way that carrying on a ‘QB Controversy’ can lead to problems of consistency on the offense when Jake Rudock and CJ Beathard were fighting to be #1 on the depth chart. Both players would go on to careers in the NFL, but it wasn’t until 2015 that Beathard was outright named the starting quarterback.
This Fall, the Hawkeyes come into the season with players that have very little playing time under their belt. Brought back after being with the Miami Dolphins is quarterback coach Ken O’Keefe. Brian Ferentz will also be serving as the offensive coordinator for the first time.
The decision on who is selected could very well have major repercussions on the Hawkeyes success, or lack of, for several years to come. Let’s look at who will throw their ‘hat in the ring’ for the position of quarterback for the 2017 Iowa Hawkeyes.