Iowa's starting quarterback battle rages on as it continues to draw national attention.
The Hawkeyes are the only program in the Big Ten that hasn't named a starting quarterback, with Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski still battling it out for the role. Ferentz has remained firm in his assessment of both quarterbacks and hasn't named a starter yet for several reasons. He has repeatedly said a decision won't be made until closer to next weekend, when Iowa takes on Northern Illinois, but that hasn't eased national media concerns.
Iowa is at the bottom of a recent QB rankings list, regardless of who wins the job
It has been an inconsistent offseason for both Brown and Hecklinski, with Hecklinski dominating the Kids Day open practice and Brown "winning the day" when BTN was recently on campus. The inconsistency from both quarterbacks will stretch the decision out until the last possible second, but regardless of who ultimately "wins" the job, there is zero confidence in either of them.
CBS Sports college football writer Brad Crawford released his quarterback rankings for all 18 Big Ten programs, and it wasn't kind to the Hawkeyes. Of all 18 teams on the list, Iowa checked in at No. 18 overall. Crawford pointed out that a competition is supposed to "sharpen" both players, but neither has exuded continuity or command. He also stated that if the decision lingers into the season, the Hawkeyes risk another slow offensive start. The decision isn't easy, and Ferentz and company don't really care what outside voices have to say. The player who will best help the team win will ultimately be named the starter, and we won't get a glimpse of that until the official depth chart is released later this week.
Iowa has a three-game cushion before the season really ramps up with a tough start to the Big Ten Conference slate, but there is a reason both quarterbacks are still in the running. Each quarterback brings a different skill set to the table, and while they share similar qualities, they also differ. Hecklinski is definitely more of a pure gunslinger who isn't afraid to force the ball downfield, but that increases the chances of turnovers, which was reportedly a massive issue when the BTN was recently on campus.
Brown also has a rocket arm, but provides less athletic ability in the passing and run game as Hecklinski, but has shown flashes of his arm talent. Brown was promoted to the starting quarterback with Auburn over Peyton Thorne in 2024, and he went 17/25 for 235 yards and four touchdown passes against New Mexico, before throwing three first-half interceptions against Arkansas the next week and got moved back to the bench. He transferred to Iowa early in December 2024 and was Mark Gronowski's primary backup last season before struggles against Indiana moved him down the depth chart.
Both quarterbacks have been turnover-prone, with Brown's inconsistencies popping up in the regular season against Arkansas when he was with Auburn, and against Indiana when Gronowski was injured last season. Hecklinski has not taken as many meaningful snaps, excluding a few garbage-time snaps in some big Iowa wins against Wisconsin and Minnesota. While past successes and failures don't have any bearing on this season, the assumption was that one of the two would take the reins and run with it, but that hasn't been the case. With the clock winding down until the first regular-season game at Kinnick Stadium on September 5, the decision is still looming.
With both projected options still neck and neck, it ultimately comes down to whoever gives the team the best chance to win, but it also hinges on a few other things. Do you give the advantage to Hecklinski for not being afraid to force the ball downfield more regularly and his ability to be more effective throwing on the run? Or do you choose Brown, who has a rocket arm, struggles with inconsistency, and has a lot of boom-or-bust potential? It isn't a quick or easy decision, and the inconsistencies from both players is concerning with how close the regular season is.
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