While everyone has been distracted by the basketball transfer portal, Iowa Football has been grinding during spring practices.
While nothing is usually decided during spring ball, everyone's attention has been fully fixed on the starting quarterback battle.
Returning backups Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski have been competing all spring for the coveted starting quarterback role, with the program being tight-lipped about who has the edge (and rightly so).
Each quarterback has taken equal reps as the starter this spring, and Brown is only trying to control what he can control as he pushes for the starting role next season.
Brown gave a very candid reponse when asked about the QB competition
After becoming Mark Gronowski's primary backup by the end of last season, Hecklinski took a slight edge over Brown heading into the offseason, but now all bets are off.
Brown admitted the competition has been fun, but he is only focused on what he can do and going out and competing against himself every practice.
Hank Brown on his battle to be Iowa's #1 QB: “It's been a fun competition, and I just go out there and try and compete against myself every day and just control what I can control and go out there and try and improve every day.”https://t.co/fxvv7mN8ia
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) April 16, 2026
According to the Des Moines Register's Chad Leistikow, Brown has been leaning on his faith as he battles for the starting job and is trying to control what he can control.
Brown also stated that he is going out there every day trying to improve and is only competing against himself.
Brown initially transferred to the Iowa program during the squad's bowl preparation in 2024 and has become very comfortable with Tim Lester's offense going into his third year in the system.
The quarterback battle is neck-and-neck right now, and it will probably stay that way well into the summer.
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