The Iowa football program is not known for producing quarterbacks, but there have been plenty of great ones. Here’s the top five in Hawkeye’s history.
It goes without saying there are many quarterbacks that come to mind when you’re talking about pre-eminent, well-rounded and stalwart players. The University of Iowa football program has definitely had plenty of those QBs over the years.
A few names that provide name recognition to the QB position when I think of elite talent for Iowa football team include Ed Podolak, Chuck Hartlieb, Randy Duncan.
Those are just a few, but when I review the landscape of all quarterbacks to ever play for the Iowa football program, but there are five, in particular, that stand above the rest.
Since current Iowa football Head Coach Kirk Ferentz came to Iowa City, we’ve witnessed multiple young men grow into the spotlight and become quarterbacks to remember. Although the quarterback position may not be Iowa’s main focus when it comes to NFL endowment, they’ve had their equitable share of guys that have gotten the NFL experience or even just had outstanding collegiate careers.
I’d like to present to you my top five quarterbacks of all-time in Iowa football history.
#5 – CJ Beathard
I chose CJ Beathard at #5 because while he had a great career at Iowa, he wasn’t able to win any bowl games or major college football awards. Therefore, he drops a bit in the rankings.
When you look at CJ’s stats for the Hawks, he posted some great numbers. Beathard’s most memorable season was in 2015 when the Iowa football team finished the regular season 12-0 and advanced to the Big Ten Title game. Unfortunately, the Hawks lost to Michigan State by a score of 16-13. They went on to play in the Rose Bowl game against Stanford, but we shouldn’t discuss that any further.
Beathard’s senior year was one to forget though. He didn’t even top 2,000 yards as he battled through injuries and the wide receiver group was generally ineffective.
Player Stats
- Played at Iowa From 2013 – 2016, played in 40 games, started 28.
- Completed 454 of 782 passes for 5,562 yards, 58.1% Completions, 40 TD’s & 19 INTs
- QB Rating of 129.8
- 224 rushing attempts for 429 yards, 10 TD’s
Accolades
- Second-Team All-Big Ten (2015)
- Third-Team All-Big Ten (2015)
- Big Ten Conference Co-Offensive POW (2015)
- Manning Award Quarterback of the Week (2015)
#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
#3 – Ricky Stanzi
Ricky Stanzi was one my favorite Hawks at the quarterback position, which is why I put him at #3. Stanzi did some incredible things as an Iowa football player, posting a 26-9 record in his career, winning 3 bowl games, and also having a winning record against ranked opponents.
Stanzi was quite the passer as well, ranking third in the nation in passing efficiency as a senior, which is an amazing accomplishment. Stanzi’s final career quarterback rating was a 141.6.
Moreover, his senior year was downright dominant as he threw 25 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions. His senior year quarterback rating of 157.6 is still the all-time single-season record in Iowa football history.
Player Stats
- Played at Iowa from 2007 to 2010
- Stanzi finished his Iowa career at 26-9 (74% win percentage)
- Won all 3 bowl games he played in, only 3rd Big Ten QB to do it
- Stanzi was very successful against ranked opponents, finishing with a 6-3 record vs ranked opponents in 3 years at Iowa
- Completed 542 of 907 passes for 7,377 yards, 56 TD’s & 31 INTs, 59.8% completion percentage
- Stanzi ranked 3rd in the nation in passing efficiency his senior season
Accolades
- In 2010, Stanzi was named to the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award and The Manning Award watch lists
- Also a finalist for The 2010 Premier Player of College Football Trophy
- Stanzi’s most memorable moment was November 6th in 2010 against Indiana when Stanzi connected with Marvin McNutt for a 52-yard Touchdown to put Iowa up 18-13.
#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)
#1 – Chuck Long
Chuck Long, otherwise known as “Destined For Greatness”, as former Iowa football Head Coach Hayden Fry would put it.
There’s no doubt that Long is the best Iowa football quarterback ever. He is the number one quarterback in Iowa football history, and it’s easy to see why. Just look at the stats.
Long started his great journey as a freshman where everyone knew right away he was going to put a dent in the record books, and he sure did. He would go on to win two major college football awards and become the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy to Bo Jackson.
Player Stats
- Played at Iowa from 1981 – 1985
- Long threw for 1,374 yards and eight touchdowns his freshman year, third-most passing yardage in a single season at Iowa
- 64.9% completion percentage – Iowa school record
- Defeated Tennessee in the Peach Bowl – Long was MVP
- Sophomore year Long led Iowa to a 9-2 record and a berth in the Gator Bowl and was named First Team All-Big Ten
- All-Big Ten selection as a Junior, first in the Big Ten in passing efficiency
- Finished seventh in Heisman Voting his Junior year
- Long became the only player in College Football History to ever play in five bowl games after playing the 1986 Rose Bowl game
Accolades
- Maxwell Award Winner (1985)
- Davey O’Brien Award Winner (1985)
- Big Ten Player of the Year (1985)
- Consensus First Team All-American (1985)
- Runner-Up Heisman Trophy behind Bo Jackson (1985)
- Lost to Jackson by just 45 points in voting
- Longs record at Iowa was 35-13-1
- 9,671 passing yards and 70 TD’s
Although I chose five, I have to give out an honorable mention honor to current Iowa football player Nate Stanley. So far in two seasons, he’s done some amazing things for the Iowa football team.
This season will be his senior season and many fans are looking forward to seeing what Stanley can do for the Hawks this year. He’s already passed for over 5000 yards and 52 TD’s and while posting a 135.5 QBR.
In two seasons, Stanley has compiled a 16-9 record as a Hawkeye and he has led the Iowa football to two bowl victories. He’s got the talent and experience, now he needs to prove he can compete with the best in the nation. Can he lead Iowa to a New Years Six bowl? Better yet, can Stanley get Iowa into the College Football Playoff?
Stay tuned folks, you’re in for a ride!