Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill has made the decision to enter the transfer portal, as announced on his Instagram account. Hill, who started nine games for Iowa last year, cited his desire to explore new opportunities and make a fresh start. The junior quarterback was unexpectedly thrust into action last season when the original starter, Cade McNamara, suffered a torn ACL. Hill stepped up and led the Hawkeyes’ offense for the remainder of the season, helping the team secure a 10-4 record and the Big Ten West Division title.
However, it was evident that Iowa’s offense struggled throughout the season. In fact, they finished last in the nation in offensive yards per game, with just 234.6 yards. This was the lowest output for any Big Ten team since 1984. It’s no surprise that Hill, along with former offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, bore the brunt of the blame for these offensive woes.
Hill’s performance statistics were less than stellar, completing only 48.6 percent of his passes for 1,152 yards, five touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He also had trouble with fumbles, losing six throughout the season. These struggles were particularly evident in Iowa’s four losses, where Hill had at least one lost fumble in each game. The Hawkeyes’ offense even failed to score in their final two games of the season.
Despite these challenges, Hill expressed his gratitude towards his former coaches and teammates at Iowa. He acknowledged that his time there had been valuable and had allowed him to build important relationships.
With McNamara still in the process of rehabbing his knee, Hill and redshirt freshman Marco Lainez III were the only scholarship quarterbacks available for Iowa’s spring practices. Hill primarily worked with the first team while Lainez took snaps with both the second and third units. However, the addition of incoming freshman James Resar in June will provide the Hawkeyes with three quarterbacks for summer workouts. It is likely that Iowa will also look to sign another quarterback from the transfer portal to compete with McNamara and Lainez during training camp.
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz expressed the team’s willingness to explore all options to strengthen the roster. If a suitable opportunity arises in the transfer portal, the Hawkeyes will consider adding another quarterback to their lineup.
In conclusion, Deacon Hill’s decision to enter the transfer portal marks a new chapter in his collegiate career. While his time at Iowa was met with challenges, he leaves with gratitude for the experiences and relationships he gained. Iowa, on the other hand, will continue to navigate their quarterback situation, exploring both internal and external options to bolster their roster.