The Iowa Hawkeyes' biggest weakness heading into the summer has been addressed. Former Northwestern quarterback Brendan Sullivan announced Wednesday his intention to transfer to Iowa this season.
@HawkeyeFootball let’s work 🤝🏼 pic.twitter.com/Y8kz4br2uF
— Brendan Sullivan (@bsully02) May 8, 2024
It's safe to say that many Iowa fans are happy to see Sullivan join the program, and for good reason. Sullivan has playing experience in the Big Ten and fills the hole at backup quarterback.
After watching Deacon Hill hit the portal after the Spring Game, Iowa had a massive need in the quarterback room. Cade McNamara is still rehabbing his knee injury from last year, leaving just Marco Lainez as the lone scholarship quarterback with the team before McNamara is cleared in June.
With Sullivan on the roster, he can comfortably slide into the No. 2 position on the depth chart behind McNamara and get to work on learning new offensive coordinator Tim Lester's offense.
The connection to Lester is likely what drew Sullivan in. Sullivan is from Davison, Michigan, and was recruited by Lester during his stint at Western Michigan.
Being prepared is all Iowa needs out of Sullivan in 2024. The reps haven't been there for Lainez to have confidence that he could step in should McNamara's knee not hold up.
Northwestern is in one of its seemingly scheduled slumps, especially coming out of the controversies surrounding former head coach Pat Fitzgerald. The Wildcats limped through the 2023 season, leaving little help for Sullivan.
He completed 69% of his passes last year for 1,303 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 13 games over two seasons. Averaging 6.7 yards per attempt doesn't scream playmaker to Iowa fans, but that's not what's needed.
Even if Sullivan is called upon, his job will be to operate the offense a tick better than Hill did in 2023 to give Iowa an opportunity to win with its defense.
In the meantime, he can work on his craft, build comradery with his teammates and be prepared for a battle with Lainez for the 2025 season.
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