Heading into the summer, there were multiple question marks concerning what Kirk Ferentz's squad might look like next season, and he didn't do much to put everyone's minds at ease during the 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days.
Ferentz took the podium around 12:30 p.m. Central Time on day one to discuss the status of the program heading into next season. There was little doubt what type of questions he would have to answer, and he was peppered with them early and often. In typical Ferentz fashion, he either deflected or refused to divulge any concrete information about multiple things, including the race for the starting quarterback spot.
Ferentz claims the program doesn't know the the starting QB will be
It was no surprise that Ferentz would not commit to naming a starter before Iowa's week one game against Northern Illinois, but his response didn't do much to ease the fears of a restless fanbase that has suffered through inconsistent quarterback play for many years.
Kirk Ferentz on the QB competition: "We don't know who our starter is."
— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) July 28, 2026
Added that it could very well go into the season. Hopes that it becomes clear who the guy is throughout camp in August.
It would have been one thing if Ferentz claimed the competition was still neck-and-neck, but to say outright that they don't know who the starter is definitely sounds some early alarms. We have seen similar situations unfold in the past, especially at the quarterback position, and it isn't something Hawkeye fans want to hear. As the old saying goes, "if you have two quarterbacks, you have none," and Iowa is definitely in that conversation. That is not to say Iowa's two projected options are talented, but we very rarely see a two-QB system work effectively.
Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski are the two projected starting options for the squad, but neither has done much to separate themselves after spring ball and to this point in the summer. Whatever perceived "edge" Hecklinski had heading into the offseason has essentially evaporated as Brown closed the gap, and we are nowhere closer to knowing who will be under center than we were after last season concluded. Hecklinski seemed to have the edge after supplanting Brown as Mark Gronowski's primary backup last season, but it's anyone's guess right now.
Regardless of who you talk to, they will have a different answer for who will start, which dredges up painful memories of past failed quarterback experiments. A majority of the offseason focus has surrounded the starting quarterback dilemma, and Ferentz didn't help by claiming the competition could go well into August. Iowa's offense is well positioned to take the next step this season with an improved wide receiver corps and a very deep running back room, and it could all be derailed if the decision is delayed.
The news isn't surprising, but it is slightly concerning
No one is going to sit there and tell you that we expected Ferentz to break character and name a starting quarterback during media days. Still, his startling revelation that the program doesn't even know is slightly concerning. Ferentz could easily be playing opossum, and he and his staff have an idea of who will win the job and just aren't letting on, but Ferentz is a straight shooter, which complicates the matter even more.
Ferentz has been doing this a long time, and he will never rush into a decision he isn't comfortable making, but that does not mean it isn't concerning. Even the best coaches can be questioned, and Ferentz is no different. The offense would be much better suited to know who the starter is and prepare for the season with him as the primary signal-caller instead of playing a waiting game with two viable options. It is also more concerning because the defense could easily take a step back this season after replacing multiple starters, and if the offense doesn't carry its weight, it could be a very long season.
Regardless of who lines up under center, the schedule makers didn't do the Hawkeyes any favors, and they will have to be locked in from day one if the program wants to make it to its first College Football Playoff.
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