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Iowa football: Five biggest recruiting busts in the Kirk Ferentz era

By Andrew Wade

Iowa running back Jermelle Lewis tumbles out of bounds (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Iowa running back Jermelle Lewis tumbles out of bounds (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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SAN ANTONIO – DECEMBER 30: Jake Christensen #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes looks to pass the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the Alamo Bowl on December 30, 2006 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO – DECEMBER 30: Jake Christensen #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes looks to pass the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the Alamo Bowl on December 30, 2006 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Jake Christensen

Quarterback Jake Christensen was a top-100 recruit in the nation in the class of 2005, and he was listed as a four-star recruit for the Iowa football team. Needless to say, the expectations were incredibly high.

After sitting behind Drew Tate for two seasons, Christensen got his opportunity in his redshirt sophomore season in 2007 and didn’t perform terribly. Although the Iowa football team only experienced a moderate level of success going 6-6, Christensen threw for 2,269 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions.

However, he still had to battle for the quarterback spot entering his junior season, and he lost out to redshirt sophomore quarterback Ricky Stanzi.

Stanzi subsequently led the Hawkeyes to a 9-4 record and Christensen transferred to Eastern Illinois at the conclusion of the 2008 season. In one season with Eastern Illinois, he threw for 2,204 yards and 19 touchdowns, but you expect a four-star recruit like Jake Christensen to be a two or three-year starter.