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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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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Quarterback Brad Banks #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes hands off to running back Fred Russell #2 during the Big Ten Conference football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on September 28, 2002 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Hawkeyes won 42-35 in overtime. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Quarterback Brad Banks #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes hands off to running back Fred Russell #2 during the Big Ten Conference football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on September 28, 2002 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Hawkeyes won 42-35 in overtime. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

#2 – Brad Banks

Brad Banks was one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever step foot in Kinnick Stadium, even if it was just for one season. That season, though, was absolutely magical. Banks sparked an unforgettable season for the Iowa football team as he led the Hawks to the Orange Bowl.

In addition to that, he took home quite a few honors on the season.

Banks is number two because of the reasons above, and because he was a very athletic player as well.

Outside of the passing game, Banks rushed for 574 yards on the ground (a 4.7 yard per carry average) and scored 7 rushing TD’s. Banks will go down as one best Quarterbacks Iowa has ever watched. Imagine what could have been if we were able to see him spend a few more years in Iowa City.

Player Stats

  • Played at Iowa from 2001 to 2002
  • Completed 59.05% of his total passes at Iowa
  • Threw for 3,155 yards, 30 TD’s & 7 INTs
  • 595 rush yards, 7 rush TD’s
  • Banks was a double transfer in college, originally attending the University of Central Florida before transferring to Hinds Community College, then finally coming to Iowa after 2 seasons with Hinds CC.
  •  Banks played 10 games in 2001 and was 41-68 passing with a 60.3 completion percentage and 582 yards, 4 TDS and only 2 interceptions.
  • Banks Senior year in 2002 he completed 170-of-294 passes with a 57.8 completion percentage, 2,573 yards, 26 TDS and 7 INTs.
  • Leading Iowa to an 11-2 record and a tie for the Big Ten Title with Ohio State.
    Hawks finished the season ranked #8 in the AP Poll.

Accolades

  • Alamo Bowl Champion (2001)
  • Heisman Trophy Runner-up (2002)
  • Associated Press Player of the Year (2002)
  • Davey O’Brien Award Winner (2002)
  • Big Ten Player of the Year (2002)
  • Finalist of Maxwell Award (2002)
  • Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” Award Winner (2002)
  • Selected to play in East/West Shrine Game and Hula Bowl (2002)
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