OC Tim Lester's comments about an Iowa QB should get fans excited for next season

Iowa Football is soaking up the sun in sunny Tampa after heading to Florida for the ReliaQuest Bowl.

The program left the Eastern Iowa airport on Christmas Day and has been enjoying the Tampa weather while preparing for a tough game on New Year's Eve.

The Hawkeyes arrived in Tampa mostly healthy, except for defensive back TJ Hall, who could miss the Bowl game with an injury.

The program also received great news: junior defensive back and captain Koen Entringer will return next season.

As the Hawkeyes diligently prepare for No. 14 Vanderbilt, offensive coordinator Tim Lester spoke to the media in Tampa and had some interesting things to say about quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski.

Lester had nothing but praise for the redshirt freshman gunslinger in his first season in Iowa City, calling him a "gunslinger" who has made some "unbelievable" throws this season.

Lester also stated that there is not a window that Hecklinski feels like he can't throw into.

He went on to compare Hecklinski to Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddox, saying that he has every pitch in his book, and does some "very unique things."

That is high praise coming from Lester, and Hecklinski is projected to compete next season with fellow backup quarterback Hank Brown for the starting quarterback position.

Hecklinski surpassed Brown as Iowa's backup quarterback this season, and Hawkeye fans are excited to see what he can do if he wins the starting job next season.

After what Lester said, it appears that Hecklinski still has a leg up on Brown for starting snaps next season, even without an official announcement coming from anyone inside the program.

Kirk Ferentz has also stated in the past that they are encouraged by the play of both quarterbacks, effectively closing the door on the possibility of Iowa returning to the transfer portal for a quarterback next season.