QB Battle: Jeremy Hecklinski appears to have passed Hank Brown on the Depth Chart. QB was NOT a Transfer Portal Priority per KF on Dec 18

[The Big Z]

All the angst and we have no clue what the QB position will even look like this year. I think it will be a lot better than people think.

Why would you think that?

 

[The Big Z]

With the Hawks O-Line and RBs I think we will run it pretty good. When the bad guys put eight up front to stop us is the time to throw. We need a quarterback who can do that.

We were pretty creative in the run game last year and also able to put points on the board with very limited WR play and very average QB play ( throwing the ball) most of the season. Gronowski got better and better as the season went on and we were able to utilize him in the run game and with his size he was a weapon. But honestly he never really threw the ball well. Obviously I'm still not sold on our WR play and I'm hoping optimistically Hecklinski can be a poor man's Drew Tate. O line looks really good running back is very strong and tight end again looks to be a strength. If, and of course it's a big if, we can get just above average QB play it could be a good season.

 

[The Big Z]

Agreed. Whoever is back there will be fine. Good oline, good backs, good TEs is a nice start for an inexperienced QB to step into. Just dont lose the game.

Wouldn't you actually like to have a QB that can win you a game when needed?

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

At the media availability yesterday, Ferentz said the quarterback competition remains wide open, but indicated that one of the two will take the majority of the reps next week as the designated No. 1.

If Kirk is being honest that the competition is truly even, I have to wonder whether it’s a mistake not to let the battle continue through the Northern Illinois game. That would give the coaches one more meaningful metric -- how each guy performs in live competition -- before making the decision.

I understand the desire to get your eventual starter as many reps as possible. But the moment you start giving one quarterback significantly more reps than the other, you make it increasingly difficult for the second guy to prove he deserves the job. And that’s particularly relevant with a coach like Kirk Ferentz, who has historically been reluctant to make changes at quarterback once he settles on a guy.

If these two quarterbacks truly are neck-and-neck, I think you do both players -- and the team -- a service by giving them an equal opportunity to win the job in actual game conditions.

If the opener were against a significantly better opponent than Northern Illinois, I might feel differently. But given the opponent, and given what Ferentz is saying about the competition, I’d let both guys have a legitimate chance to make their case through the first game.

Then make the decision.

It's a difficult choice for the coaching staff, but it's a corner that they painted themselves into.

We have two guys competing for QB1 who have limited game experience. What probably makes it worse is that the one guy who actually has SOME meaningful game experience (at another school AND at Iowa) has performed poorly in those situations, as well as at the open practice, so from the fans' point of view the choice looks obvious. If KF decides that Brown is the guy and he does not play particularly well, it is not going to go over well with the fan base whatsoever, and like you said, history shows that, in that situation, it is unlikely that Heck would get a fair shot to prove himself anytime soon.

Although it seems that the coaches will have chosen a clear QB1 by next week, I think we'll see both guys play against NIU. I just hope that both of them get MEANINGFUL snaps with the FIRST TEAM, although again, KF has not done this much in the past (The Christensen-Stanzi competition the first half of '08 being the exception, and that was a LONG time ago; plus, his refusal to play CJ more in '14 has been discussed ad nauseam).

I think we are all hoping for the same thing - That the QB1 plays very well from Day 1 and goes on to have a great season, making people forget that there was ever a question in the first place. I just don't know how likely that is to happen....

 

[Jonesy5960]

Why would you think that?

I think he spelled hope wrong.

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

No, I gave up on him when it became obvious that he couldn't get the easy stuff right.

So if you asked Curt Cignetti what the official name of the Tampa bowl game is, and he didn't get it right, you would give up on any of his football coaching abilities?

Just be honest - you didn't like some of the stuff that guy posted, so you got petty regarding the name of that bowl game as an excuse to dismiss any of his opinions.

 

[IowaCityLit]

Your expertise opinion lost me at "Outback Bowl"? How can I take you seriously?
So, your definition of success is not playing in a non existent bowl game?

I know they changed the name but who cares. It’s the same lame bowl.

No, I gave up on him when it became obvious that he couldn't get the easy stuff right.

Nice red herring to prove you can’t offer any articulate, rational response or counter argument. It’s best you don’t try.

 

[IowaCityLit]

For me, this feels like a year that you don't really want a "gunslinger" type under center. We've got a boatload of TEs, RBs, WRs, and a really good oline. This seems like the year for a "game manager" type who won't turn it over and can get it to the right players, on time, and allow them to make plays. If that's Heck, great. If it's Hank, great. Just don't go out and throw 3 picks in the first half and put us behind the 8 ball.

I think this makes sense but I also think it again lowers the ceiling. It’s “preventive” rather than “ambitious.” It’s an approach a solid program takes whose goal isn’t really the CFP level. I just don’t think Iowa (or any program, really) can game manage their way into a CFP. The Big 10 is becoming a gauntlet.

I actually think you do the rest of the roster a disservice if you don’t upgrade at the most important position. You’re saying hey we’re gonna need you to do even more cause we don’t really have or think we need a playmaker at QB.

Maybe Hank is better than that. I think it’s obvious he’ll be the starter.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

Just dont lose the game.

Score points and lots of them.

 

[Ozzie89]

Wouldn't you actually like to have a QB that can win you a game when needed?

Who wouldnt want that?

 

[squeezebox_1]

I actually think you do the rest of the roster a disservice if you don’t upgrade at the most important position. You’re saying hey we’re gonna need you to do even more cause we don’t really have or think we need a playmaker at QB.

You continue to talk like both were an option. Again, there likely wasn't an extra 2 million laying around. So would you have rather stuck with the WR room as is, signing someone like Joseph or Colandrea, or rolled the dice hoping one of these two guys can take steps by signing Diaz and James? It isn't like Iowa was going to be in the Hoover, Mestemaker, Leavitt....The list goes on and on.

 

[IowaCityLit]

You continue to talk like both were an option. Again, there likely wasn't an extra 2 million laying around. So would you have rather stuck with the WR room as is, signing someone like Joseph or Colandrea, or rolled the dice hoping one of these two guys can take steps by signing Diaz and James? It isn't like Iowa was going to be in the Hoover, Mestemaker, Leavitt....The list goes on and on.

Well I guess to your question, if I think about it, why “invest” in all of these TE and WR options if you’re gonna be average at QB? You’re relying on those positions to elevate the QB rather than vice versa. I just don’t buy that you couldn’t have achieved more balance there and done both.

MG once healthy seemed to do fine with less talent at WR.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Well I guess to your question, if I think about it, why “invest” in all of these TE and WR options if you’re gonna be average at QB? You’re relying on those positions to elevate the QB rather than vice versa. I just don’t buy that you couldn’t have achieved more balance there and done both.

MG once healthy seemed to do fine with less talent at WR.

1741 yards passing? You do realize he only had one game with over 200 yards passing? Just for reference, Drake Lindsey had 5.

 

[doughuddl2_rivals]

 

[Jonesy5960]

1741 yards passing? You do realize he only had one game with over 200 yards passing?

I think by fine he means he didn't suck and was able to throw when he had to vs the struggles that we saw earlier in the season when he simply couldn't. Gronowski was/is not a great passer and the staff came to realize that he was much more a threat with his feet than his arm.

 

[IowaCityLit]

1741 yards passing? You do realize he only had one game with over 200 yards passing? Just for reference, Drake Lindsey had 5.

MG made plays. Especially the 2nd half of the season. Having a versatile QB would be huge.

 

[IowaCityLit]

I think by fine he means he didn't suck and was able to throw when he had to vs the struggles that we saw earlier in the season when he simply couldn't. Gronowski was/is not a great passer and the staff came to realize that he was much more a threat with his feet than his arm.

Yep exactly.

Though him potentially making an NFL roster is interesting.

 

[squeezebox_1]

I think by fine he means he didn't suck and was able to throw when he had to vs the struggles that we saw earlier in the season when he simply couldn't. Gronowski was/is not a great passer and the staff came to realize that he was much more a threat with his feet than his arm.

Just for reference, Griffin Wilde put up 1154 yards receiving while playing with Gronwoski. Gronowski in 2024 put up 2781 yards. Wilde followed up that performance with 880 yards for Northwester, my point is that the WR play is a huge component to the QB success.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Yep exactly.

Though him potentially making an NFL roster is interesting.

He certainly isn't making an NFL roster, his odds are rough to even make the practice squad. The point that you continue to miss, is that Iowa went out and paid WRs, an RB, all while filling holes in the defense. Even if they had an extra 2 million laying around, they would have been much better off paying DTs.

 

[IowaCityLit]

He certainly isn't making an NFL roster, his odds are rough to even make the practice squad. The point that you continue to miss, is that Iowa went out and paid WRs, an RB, all while filling holes in the defense. Even if they had an extra 2 million laying around, they would have been much better off paying DTs.

Why?


They’ve shown they can play great D. What is it about this philosophy suggests a CFP ambition?

Go pay big for a QB and have a weak secondary for crying out loud.

it feels like an excuse to play the more conservative style KF prefers.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Yes. I am saying he would not have lasted 27 years at most other major college programs. 2012 alone would have gotten him fired at most places. I am not saying he SHOULD have been fired or that I want him to be fired (unless he loses to ******* ISU this year)

You said he landed in the ONE place where he'd still have a job. I'm just saying If he'd have been at KU, ISU. KSU. Missouri, and ALOT of other places he would never have been fired. Heck, I'd bet he would still be at Minny, NW, Purdue and maybe Illinois. I doubt if any of the schools I listed would have fired a coach after a bad season once every 5-8 years, but generally won 8 to 9 games a year and 10 in a really good one.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Why?


They’ve shown they can play great D. What is it about this philosophy suggests a CFP ambition?

Go pay big for a QB and have a weak secondary for crying out loud.

it feels like an excuse to play the more conservative style KF prefers.

Just to be clear, because they had a great defense in the past means they will this year? They lost Entringer to the portal, so they went and picked up multi-year starters, they lost 7 starters on defense. I think the LBs will be fine/good, but the Dline, particularly the DT is going to be weak. Since you continue to speak about this non-sense, which QB would have put Iowa over the top this year? I will admit, I would have loved to have seen Marcus Stokes in an Iowa Jersey, but there was nothing else that would have been worth the money.

 

[IowaCityLit]

You said he landed in the ONE place where he'd still have a job. I'm just saying If he'd have been at KU, ISU. KSU. Missouri, and ALOT of other places he would never have been fired.

Hmmm I don’t know that this is true or provable, obviously.

But IMo KF certainly has embraced being in a place without CFP expectations. He’s sorta created the myth of overachieving and doing more with less and on and on. It’s a special place to coach for him cause he’s the best at under promising and over delivering. When you’re the one creating no margin for error for your program but making it appear it’s a limitation of being at Iowa, well then you’re set for life.

 

[IowaCityLit]

Just to be clear, because they had a great defense in the past means they will this year? They lost Entringer to the portal, so they went and picked up multi-year starters, they lost 7 starters on defense. I think the LBs will be fine/good, but the Dline, particularly the DT is going to be weak. Since you continue to speak about this non-sense, which QB would have put Iowa over the top this year? I will admit, I would have loved to have seen Marcus Stokes in an Iowa Jersey, but there was nothing else that would have been worth the money.

Of course.

KF isn’t comfy with modern offenses. He’s an old-school guy. He has a blueprint for style and for winning his way. I’m just saying without adapting more and relying more on a dynamic QB to be a playmaker, then Iowas ceiling will always be lower. I just don’t think they can defend and run their way to 10 wins anymore.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Of course.

KF isn’t comfy with modern offenses. He’s an old-school guy. He has a blueprint for style and for winning his way. I’m just saying without adapting more and relying more on a dynamic QB to be a playmaker, then Iowas ceiling will always be lower. I just don’t think they can defend and run their way to 10 wins anymore.

The Shanahan outside zone offense is modern, I don’t know if you just want a spread offense. Ceiling in modern football is primarily based on nil funding. When you look at Iowas best years, they have guys at the skill positions. I think it’s fairly evident that is the case this year. Good to decent qb play could put Iowa in the CFP convo this year. Also need the defensive line to play well.

 

[Jonesy5960]

Just for reference, Griffin Wilde put up 1154 yards receiving while playing with Gronwoski. Gronowski in 2024 put up 2781 yards. Wilde followed up that performance with 880 yards for Northwester, my point is that the WR play is a huge component to the QB success.

Little different competition and offensive philosophy as they had a 3,000 yard QB and a 1,000 yard receiver the year before Gronowski arrived, but I understand your underlying argument in that the needs on the offensive skills side of the ball were many and there's only so much money to go around. The staff placed a bet that they already had what they needed at the QB position. We'll just have to sit back and see if it was a smart bet or not.

 

[Hawx224]

Why would you think that?

I have more faith in Lester than most posters on here. Doesn’t mean it’ll happen but I think a lot of the talk of “two QBs who wouldn’t start at any other P4 program” is overwrought nonsense. It’d be different if we’d already seen multiple terrible games but we’re not at that point yet

 

[IowaCityLit]

The Shanahan outside zone offense is modern, I don’t know if you just want a spread offense. Ceiling in modern football is primarily based on nil funding. When you look at Iowas best years, they have guys at the skill positions. I think it’s fairly evident that is the case this year. Good to decent qb play could put Iowa in the CFP convo this year. Also need the defensive line to play well.

I should clarify. You’re right. TL has modernized the offense.

I would take good QB play any day. And a QB that can, if need be, go win a game or two.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Little different competition and offensive philosophy as they had a 3,000 yard QB and a 1,000 yard receiver the year before Gronowski arrived, but I understand your underlying argument in that the needs on the offensive skills side of the ball were many and there's only so much money to go around. The staff placed a bet that they already had what they needed at the QB position. We'll just have to sit back and see if it was a smart bet or not.

I think it's more complicated than that tbh. Gronowski was reported to have cost Iowa a million bucks. If the Diaz dollar amount of ~550k is true, you can see the discrepancy in the positions. You can either restock/pay current players with your pool, or you can go out and get 1 QB.

 

[squeezebox_1]

I should clarify. You’re right. TL has modernized the offense.

I would take good QB play any day. And a QB that can, if need be, go win a game or two.

So how do you know that Hecklinski can't do that? There are zero guarantees when it comes to the portal. Iowa has thrown money down on broken players. They targeted Malik Murphy, who ended up at Oregon State, and is now the back up. They went after Jackson Arnold, who went to Auburn, just to **** the bed.

 

[IowaCityLit]

I have more faith in Lester than most posters on here. Doesn’t mean it’ll happen but I think a lot of the talk of “two QBs who wouldn’t start at any other P4 program” is overwrought nonsense. It’d be different if we’d already seen multiple terrible games but we’re not at that point yet

Nonsense how? How many B10 programs would either one of these guys start at this year? Hank started, what 2 games at Auburn? One which was a train wreck.

It’s impossible to know how they will play. So maybe one or both play well and lead the team effectively. It’s a huge mystery. But there’s absolutely no evidence or foundation that would suggest one or both will thrive at QB.

 

[IowaCityLit]

So how do you know that Hecklinski can't do that? There are zero guarantees when it comes to the portal. Iowa has thrown money down on broken players. They targeted Malik Murphy, who ended up at Oregon State, and is now the back up. They went after Jackson Arnold, who went to Auburn, just to **** the bed.

I don’t have any clue if either can do that. At least MG had a huge body of success albeit at a lowe level. I mean there was indication, if healthy, he could play well.

Maybe Heck can do that. But to hear about practice struggles this close to the opener is unnerving.

I’d be okay being less risk-averse and sacrificing some mistakes if it meant having a guy who can make big plays and be explosive at times.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

I think by fine he means he didn't suck and was able to throw when he had to vs the struggles that we saw earlier in the season when he simply couldn't. Gronowski was/is not a great passer and the staff came to realize that he was much more a threat with his feet than his arm.

I remember that easy pitch and catch MG missed in the very first game….

Mind blown

 

[The Big Z]

I have more faith in Lester than most posters on here. Doesn’t mean it’ll happen but I think a lot of the talk of “two QBs who wouldn’t start at any other P4 program” is overwrought nonsense. It’d be different if we’d already seen multiple terrible games but we’re not at that point yet

I actually think most people on here think he's done an amazing job. He's had very little to work with and managed to score points. If Brian had still been the o coordinator there's no way it would have looked like that. Gronowski could hardly throw the ball 10 yards down the field most of last season and he still managed to have a pretty efficient offense.

 

[squeezebox_1]

I don’t have any clue if either can do that. At least MG had a huge body of success albeit at a lowe level. I mean there was indication, if healthy, he could play well.

Maybe Heck can do that. But to hear about practice struggles this close to the opener is unnerving.

I’d be okay being less risk-averse and sacrificing some mistakes if it meant having a guy who can make big plays and be explosive at times.

Bethard was garbage in practice, Stanzi was garbage in practice, but you know who wasn't purported to be bad in practice, Spencer Petras....The other statement I will make about practice, is that they are going up against a solid/great secondary. I am all for Hecklinski in this scenario, even if he is turnover prone.

 

[IowaCityLit]

Bethard was garbage in practice, Stanzi was garbage in practice, but you know who wasn't purported to be bad in practice, Spencer Petras....The other statement I will make about practice, is that they are going up against a solid/great secondary. I am all for Hecklinski in this scenario, even if he is turnover prone.

I wasn’t aware of their practice history. Very interesting.

I’d go with Heck too. At least have him “1st up
At bat” as Lester put it. Which, frankly, is somewhat terrifying lol.

 

[Hawx224]

Nonsense how? How many B10 programs would either one of these guys start at this year? Hank started, what 2 games at Auburn? One which was a train wreck.

It’s impossible to know how they will play. So maybe one or both play well and lead the team effectively. It’s a huge mystery. But there’s absolutely no evidence or foundation that would suggest one or both will thrive at QB.

I guess I’m more of a glass half full guy. There’s no reason to think they’ll be bad either until we see evidence of it in games. If that happens I’ll happily agree with everyone that we should’ve made moves in the portal. But as long as we don’t know, might as well be optimistic

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Hmmm I don’t know that this is true or provable, obviously.

But IMo KF certainly has embraced being in a place without CFP expectations. He’s sorta created the myth of overachieving and doing more with less and on and on. It’s a special place to coach for him cause he’s the best at under promising and over delivering. When you’re the one creating no margin for error for your program but making it appear it’s a limitation of being at Iowa, well then you’re set for life.

I think your way over thinking all of this like he doesn't care if they win more then 9 games a year, and that's plain nonsense. And none of those schools would have fired a coach winning 8 or 9 games a year. Hell even KSU, (probably the best in that group) who had success under Snyder. His numbers in that stretch are no better then Kirks in a weaker conference and they named the darn Stadium after the guy and drug him back out of retirement. There isn't a chance in hell he'd ever have been fired at KU, KSU, ISU, Purdue, NW, probably even Indiana before they had Cig they were the losingest team in history. Most of those school would have put a statue up for the guy.

 

[Jonesy5960]

I think it's more complicated than that tbh. Gronowski was reported to have cost Iowa a million bucks. If the Diaz dollar amount of ~550k is true, you can see the discrepancy in the positions. You can either restock/pay current players with your pool, or you can go out and get 1 QB.

I don't disagree at all. QB's are the most valuable and impactful players on the team. That's why the really good ones command huge dollars at the expense sometimes of bolstering other positions. The reality is that to compete with the best, you kind of need both. Good receivers are worthless without a QB who can deliver the ball and a good QB is severely hampered without receivers who can get open and catch the ball.

I'm not sure if Iowa didn't already have better pass catchers at TE, WR, and RB than they do a QB. We'll just have to see how it all plays out.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Nonsense how? How many B10 programs would either one of these guys start at this year? Hank started, what 2 games at Auburn? One which was a train wreck.

It’s impossible to know how they will play. So maybe one or both play well and lead the team effectively. It’s a huge mystery. But there’s absolutely no evidence or foundation that would suggest one or both will thrive at QB.

I think his point is your just speculating just like everyone else is, but you post like neither guy could be effective. We don't know that at this point.