Iowa's well-publicized starting quarterback battle rages on as the Hawkeyes continue searching for their best option.
The Hawkeyes have one of the few remaining starting quarterback battles, as Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski haven't separated themselves as the true No. 1 option. Amidst the extremely tight competition, another quarterback on Iowa's roster is turning heads with his play, and he is starting to thrust himself into the conversation.
Tradon Bessinger has been extremely impressive when he has gotten the reps
The starting quarterback role has been evenly split between Brown and Hecklinski, with Jimmy Sullivan as the projected third-string, but Iowa's four-star phenom is proving why he might be one of the biggest steals of the 2026 recruiting class. After flipping his commitment from Boise State to Iowa, Tradon Bessinger had a stellar senior season. USA Today named Bessinger as the All-USA West Football Team Offensive Player of the Year after putting up 10,908 passing yards during his high school career at Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah.
He came to the University of Iowa with a lot of hype, and that massive hype hasn't cooled down during his first few months on campus. He hasn't received as many snaps as the projected top three, but he has been impressive when he has been out there. So much so that he's already earned multiple interesting distinctions from Iowa media members.
Hows that Freshman QB looking? pic.twitter.com/ZHjVYcFazV
— Washed Up Walkons (@WashedUpWalkons) August 25, 2026
On the popular "Washed Up Walkons" podcast, Hawkeye Insider David Eickholt called Bessinger the "most naturally talented" quarterback on the Iowa roster, and he is the "best" quarterback recruit Iowa has gotten in 20 years. In the limited good reps he has had, Bessinger has shown off his rocket arm and elite processing ability, albeit against a third- or fourth-string defense. To be given such high marks in such a short time is extremely rare for Iowa quarterbacks, and even though he isn't currently in the starting quarterback conversation, he is forcing his way in.
Bessinger has the size (six-foot-five, 220 pounds) and skill to be one of the best quarterbacks Iowa has had, and he is proving that early on. It is a small sample size, but should we be having a bigger conversation about Bessinger? The evidence suggests we should.
Bessinger isn't in the starting QB convo, but should he be in the mix?
Kirk Ferentz rarely, if ever, plays true freshmen or first-year players unless injuries or other circumstances force him to, and while no one is suggesting Bessinger should be the starter, why not at least have the conversation? He has a great arm and is already an elite processor, and given how Brown and Hecklinski have struggled during fall camp, Iowa fans are becoming restless. We have seen these quarterback battles play out before, and while no one ultimately questions Ferentz's decisions, Bessinger might be the exception.
Calling him the best quarterback recruit Iowa has gotten in 20 years is very revealing of how people around the program evaluate his talent, and while it would be a difficult sell to immediately crown him as the starter, it is a very intriguing argument. Iowa's offense has rarely been exciting apart from a solid running game and elite tight ends, and Bessinger would at least bring that. We shouldn't immediately write off both Brown and Hecklinski before they take meaningful snaps, but the fear is mounting as we approach week one.
Regardless of who earns the starting job, fans and the media will find ways to disagree, especially if the winner struggles early. In the past, Iowa hasn't always been as deep at quarterback, and there was more or less a clear QB1 on the roster. Now with a potential 1A/1B scenario, it has been harder to determine who the true starting quarterback is, especially if there is a talented four-star prospect in the room. First-year quarterbacks have taken the reins of offenses and succeeded with other programs, but Ferentz and the program haven't started a first-year QB since Drew Tate in 2004. For the first time in a long time, Iowa also has talent across the board at running back, tight end, and wide receiver, so whoever can best utilize that talent and not hurt the team should win the job.
Yes, it is currently Brown or Hecklinski's job to win, but that doesn't mean Bessinger shouldn't be in the conversation if he contiunes developing and proves he is capable of leading the offense.
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