Iowa’s football roster is showing improvement on offense during training camp, with one exception: the quarterback position. Brendan Sullivan, who joined the team from Northwestern in June, outperformed sixth-year senior Cade McNamara during an open practice at Kinnick Stadium. McNamara struggled, completing just 8-of-24 passes for 20 yards and throwing an interception that was returned for a score. In contrast, Sullivan completed 10-of-21 passes for 76 yards. This performance has raised questions about the pecking order at quarterback and has the potential to become a controversy.
McNamara’s struggles can be partially attributed to his injury history. He played in only three games in 2022 at Michigan before suffering a season-ending knee surgery. Last August, he tore his right quad muscle, and in the fifth game of the season, he tore his left ACL on a no-contact scramble. With barely eight games played over two seasons, McNamara’s lack of game time may be affecting his performance. However, with a new offensive coordinator and a different offensive scheme, the inconsistencies need to improve quickly.
Coach Kirk Ferentz acknowledges the need for improvement, stating that the quarterbacks’ performances have been inconsistent so far. McNamara’s previous experience at Michigan, where he helped the Wolverines win a Big Ten championship, should not be discounted. However, his time at Iowa has been marked by struggles. Last season, despite winning 10 games and a Big Ten West title, the Hawkeyes ranked last nationally in total offense.
McNamara’s recovery from knee surgery coincided with the loss of three quarterbacks to the transfer portal for the Hawkeyes, including backup Deacon Hill. In May, the team landed Brendan Sullivan, who started four games for Northwestern last year and played in seven. Sullivan completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 714 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. With two years of eligibility remaining, Sullivan understood that McNamara was the likely starter but wanted to compete for the position. He brings a versatile and gritty mentality to the team, with running skills that could allow the offensive coordinator to create specific packages for him.
Initially, Ferentz remained committed to McNamara as the starter, with Sullivan listed as the third-string quarterback. However, the coach has eased off declarations at the position, emphasizing the need to let all three quarterbacks keep playing and see what they can do. During an open practice, Sullivan showcased his abilities with a solid two-minute drill that put the offense in position for a field goal. Ferentz admitted that Sullivan’s previous playing experience gives him an advantage over McNamara, who hasn’t played in two years.
Assessing Iowa’s offense during practice is challenging due to the team’s strong defense. However, based on Saturday’s performance, Sullivan deserves to split first-team reps with McNamara in the coming weeks. The team’s strong defense, along with an improved offensive line, quality running backs, and tight ends, puts Iowa in a good position for the upcoming season. The quarterback position will be crucial in determining whether the Hawkeyes can compete in the expanded College Football Playoff or become a Big Ten also-ran.