Iowa football: Is there a curse on Iowa Hawkeye quarterbacks?
By Andrew Wade
James Vandenberg
James Vandenberg is probably the most unusual scenario on this list and the least like our current quarterback Nate Stanley. Vandenberg is one of the few Iowa natives to consistently start at the quarterback position for Iowa in Ferentz’s tenure as coach. He also came without much fanfare.
Although he was a fantastic prep quarterback at Keokuk, Vandenberg was recruited as a three-star prospect and only had offers to three other schools. He also sat on the bench his first two seasons behind Iowa great Ricky Stanzi. Nate Stanley only rode the pine for one season behind CJ Beathard before assuming starting duties.
Last but not least, Vandenberg probably had the least amount of hype after his first season starting despite posting relatively impressive numbers. His one similarity with the others on the list, however, is the statistical regression he faced going from year one to year two as the starter of the Iowa football program.
In his first season as the full-time starter, James threw for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns while posting a 138.5 QB rating. The Hawks had an up and down season posting a 7-5 record after losing their final two games to ranked Nebraska and ranked Oklahoma.
Again, without as much fanfare, Vandenburg went into his senior year at Iowa expecting to play better than his solid junior season. That couldn’t have been farther from reality. He threw for just seven touchdowns and 2,289 yards while chucking eight interceptions.
He will forever live in infamy as the quarterback who led Iowa to their worst record since Kirk’s second year in Iowa City. The Iowa football program would finish 2012 with just four wins.