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Iowa football fall position battles: Is Cade McNamara's starting position in trouble?

Iowa football fall camp is in full swing with the season just around the corner, which means position battles will start to become tighter with each practice.

By Ericka Brockish

Sep 23, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara (12) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara (12) looks to throw a pass during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports / Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports
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Iowa fall camp has been in full swing for a week now and it's time to see what fall position battles fans should be on the lookout for. Iowa is going through quite a few changes this year both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, so position battles are nothing new.

Head coach Kirk Feretnz was able to lead his team to the Big Ten Championship last season by winning Iowa's division, but with those days behind the Hawkeyes along with divisions, they have their work cut out for them this season.

The addition of four new teams made the Big Ten that much more competitive this season, but clearly see something in the Hawkeyes as they were projected to finish fifth in the Big Ten this season. So will these position battles help or hurt the Hawkeyes? The best guys are set to win the position, but hopefully, they can do what they need to in order to aid the team.

So here are the position battles to watch in the fall this season.

Quarterbacks

Now this one may not seem like a battle as Cade McNamara will be the starter for the Hawkeyes this season, however, someone is waiting in the wings. McNamara has shown he has great talent and can lead a team to victory, but he has struggled the last couple of seasons. If McNamara shows that struggle again, the Hawkeyes have Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan waiting to lead the team. Sullivan has shown he can put up numbers and if McNamara doesn't perform, don't be surprised if a change is made.

Running backs

The running back position is more of a question mark for the Hawkeyes as each potential candidate has shown flashes of greatness in spring and fall camps. However, this position battle really comes down to Leshon Williams and Kaleb Johnson. Williams was key in many spots last season for the Hawkeyes, but Johnson has shown he can have good production as long as he stays healthy.

Offensive line

This one comes down more so to the interior offensive line, but there are a number of guys that could take these positions. Logan Jones will most likely be the center and then it is just finalizing everyone around him. Connor Colby, Nick DeJong, Beau Stephens, and Tyler Elsbury are all in competition for the two guard snaps and Ferentz could choose to go with more of a rotation to keep guys healthy.

Defensive tackle

Iowa is in desperate need of a solid fourth defensive tackle on the line and there are a number of guys that could fill that position. That fourth position is currently being fought for by Jeffrey Bowie, Will Hubert, and Luke Gaffney. The defense has always been a highlight of Iowa's teams and in order to keep that true this season, they need to have a physical defensive line.

Cornerbacks

The second cornerback spot is up for grabs and it needs to go to someone who can be disruptive and physical in the secondary. Three guys are up for this second position and that is Deshaun Lee TJ Hall, and John Nestor. A third cornerback position could also be up for grabs as Iowa is known to field three guys, but with the departure of Cooper DeJean, there will be a big hole in the secondary.

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