The starting QB battle should be done and dusted after a very revealing open practice

In one of the biggest position battles yet to be decided, one Iowa quarterback's stock took a drastic jump during Kids Day.

Iowa football annually hosts an open practice on Kids Day to give fans one final look at the nearly completed squad. While Kirk Ferentz rarely, if ever, announces starters after Kids Day, it revealed who could be a factor this season. With multiple question marks still surrounding the squad, one position battle should be completely over after a very telling Kids Day performance.

Jeremy Hecklinski should be the unquestion QB1 after Iowa's final open practice

Much has been made about Iowa's starting quarterback battle after veteran starter Mark Gronowski headed to the NFL. The two quarterbacks who are projected to take over the vacancy are Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski, both of whom have impressed Ferentz in the early going. Both players received an equal share of the snaps in spring ball, and that carried over through fall camp. The players were seemingly neck and neck throughout the offseason, with Ferentz claiming the decision could easily go right up until the first game and potentially into the start of the season.

After Kids Day, there should no longer be a discussion.

Ferentz consistently claims he will choose the player who gives them the best chance to win, and if August 15's open practice was any indication, that player is clearly Jeremy Hecklinski. After a slow start, Hecklinski torched the Iowa defense with multiple eye-opening throws, including several dimes to tight end DJ Vonnahme and Reece Vander Zee on the sideline. Hecklinski far outplayed Hank Brown, finishing the day with 205 passing yards and five touchdown passes on 17/25 passing, while Brown finished with 42 passing yards and zero touchdowns on 9/21 passing.

Hecklinski put on a clinic in front of a solid crowd at Kinnick Stadium, with many oos and ahhs erupting on almost every throw. He looked comfortable in the pocket and on the move, and showcased his willingness to take risks and put the ball downfield. While he has a reputation as more of a gunslinger, he proved that he can make the big plays without forcing them to happen. Ferentz unsurprisingly did not name a starter, but Hecklinski's dynamic performance cannot be overlooked.

Hecklinski has the 'it' factor that the Iowa offense needs

Hecklinski has a very similar game to his predecessor, Mark Gronowski, and even though he didn't showcase many quarterback runs, that was likely by design. He showed excellent vision and IQ, and when the deep or intermediate routes were not open, he rarely forced it. When he did chuck it downfield, he either gave his receiver the best chance to come up with the ball or threw dimes over the top, right into the breadbasket for easy catches.

Brown was inconsistent all practice and was never really on the same page with his receivers. He was consistently throwing behind receivers and never got into the rhythm you would expect. Brown excels at staying on schedule, but struggled when the defense sent pressure or plays broke down, forcing him to put the ball up before he wanted to. Hecklinski was the polar opposite and found check-downs or threw the ball away under pressure. He also spread the ball around to the receivers, running backs, and wide receivers, getting all of Iowa's offensive weapons involved. The main takeaway was that Hecklinski looked confident and Brown looked tentative.

Brown seemed to be pressing, and even though he had been performing well in practice, you could tell that being overtaken as the backup quarterback last season might have been on his mind. Hecklinski took full advantage of his opportunity and gave Iowa fans a lot to cheer about with his stellar play, and he was easily the MVP of the day. He doesn't lack confidence, and even though he started slowly, he overcame that and put on a clinic. If the season started tomorrow, there is no doubt that Hecklinski should be under center in game one.

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