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Iowa football: Top five quarterbacks in Hawkeye’s history

By Justin Stallman

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 1: Drew Tate #5 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drops back to pass against the LSU Tigers during the Capital One Bowl at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Matt Stroshane/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 1: Drew Tate #5 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drops back to pass against the LSU Tigers during the Capital One Bowl at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Matt Stroshane/Getty Images) /
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Iowa quarterback Drew Tate sets to pass against Florida in the 2006 Outback Bowl January 2 in Tampa. Florida defeated Iowa 31 – 24. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Iowa quarterback Drew Tate sets to pass against Florida in the 2006 Outback Bowl January 2 in Tampa. Florida defeated Iowa 31 – 24. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

#4 – Drew Tate

I picked Drew Tate at #4 because this guy was a stud as a Hawkeye. He posted some big numbers at Iowa including 61 career TD’s  8,292 passing yards, and a 137.1 QBR.  Tate was also voted Big Ten Player of the Year in 2004 and Capital One Bowl MVP in 2005 (which most probably remember the famous game-winning touchdown throw by Tate).  Outside of Brad Banks and Chuck Long, that may have been the third-best season at the quarterback position in Iowa football history.

Tate brought a gunslinger mentality to the offense, and he was a ton of fun to watch, and if it wasn’t for an injury plagued senior year, he possibly could have posted even better numbers.

Though his NFL career didn’t turn out the way he wanted it to be, I’m glad he found success in the CFL where he threw for over 5,000 passing yards and 35 TD’s.

Player Stats

  • Played from 2003 to 2006, played in 41 games
  • Completed 665 of 1090 passes for 8,292 yards, 61% completion percentage, 61 TD’s & 34 INTs
  • QB Rating: 137.1
  • 187 rushing attempts for 135 yards, 3 TD’s, also added in a catch for 8 yards in 2004

Accolades

  • 2004 All-Big Ten Conference First Team (coaches) and Second Team (media)
  • 2004 Big Ten Player of the Year (collegefootballnews.com)
  • 2005 Capital One Bowl MVP
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