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

BunchofAholes

All-Conference
Jul 9, 2025
2,353
4,480
113
Kirk is one of the best college football coaches ever, however, he is not great with QB’s. It’s a real blind spot for him. He gets so invested in a guy that he tends to play him regardless of the consequences. I understand the loyalty and admire it actually, and at the same time it’s his kryptonite.
It's said that one's greatest strength can also be their greatest weakness. I think that's the case with Kirk. His teams play with discipline and avoiding mistakes is a high priority. That's why Iowa is one of the least penalized teams in the country and usually has a great turnover ratio.

That risk avoidance plays a big role in how he evaluates quarterbacks. He prefers the guy least likely to make a mistake over the one most likely to make a big play. Or rather, the one that appears that way. As such, we leave points on the table offensively. With Phil Parker coaching the D, you can get away with that much of the time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bierhalter
Oct 30, 2023
431
851
93
No doubt CJ had the “it“ factor when Kirk made the switch. But Jake was a pretty good quarterback. Good enough that Jim Harbaugh turned him into even a better quarterback.

That was a tough competition between those 2. They made the decision tough on Kirk and the final result was great for all parties.


Iowa 2014 year:
2133452,43661.7165133.5671762.6
Michigan Wolverines
20152493893,01764.0209141.5581662.9
Too add on, that first year in 2013 when the original battle between them happened, Ruddock was far and away better that year. Beathard came into his own later on.

In 2013 CJ saw action in 5 games, going 9/27 180 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Milt31

Gonzo_Bloor

All-Conference
Jun 30, 2025
994
2,816
93
Kirk is one of the best college football coaches ever, however, he is not great with QB’s. It’s a real blind spot for him. He gets so invested in a guy that he tends to play him regardless of the consequences. I understand the loyalty and admire it actually, and at the same time it’s his kryptonite.
He's always coached QBs to value no mistakes over making big plays. You can think that's a good thing, or you can think that's a bad thing. But it's the way he approaches his QBs and the game in general, limit mistakes. The "safer" QB has always gotten his nod unless/until that safer QB becomes a detriment.
 

yrunvs

Junior
Feb 18, 2012
214
384
63
He's always coached QBs to value no mistakes over making big plays. You can think that's a good thing, or you can think that's a bad thing. But it's the way he approaches his QBs and the game in general, limit mistakes. The "safer" QB has always gotten his nod unless/until that safer QB becomes a detriment.
This approach has gotten him 9+ wins for the last umpteen years. Of course, a stout defense for the last umpteen years helps.
 

Hawkeye1984

Senior
Jul 29, 2022
438
816
93
He's always coached QBs to value no mistakes over making big plays. You can think that's a good thing, or you can think that's a bad thing. But it's the way he approaches his QBs and the game in general, limit mistakes. The "safer" QB has always gotten his nod unless/until that safer QB becomes a detriment.
Hanks happy feet and inaccuracy will become a detriment. I’d rather not lose several games for him to find that out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Iron Doc

iahawkeyes17

All-Conference
Apr 22, 2014
765
1,966
83
Hanks happy feet and inaccuracy will become a detriment. I’d rather not lose several games for him to find that out.
Some people who went Saturdays said same thing. Not only 11 on 11 but watching drills Brown’s accuracy wasn’t good. Also said questioned his pocket presence.

I get why KF isn’t naming a starter got to keep confidence for backup because you just never know. But with playing so bad Saturday if somehow Brown is named starter I have a feeling fan base will have a short leash with him with quick calls for him to go to bench if he starts slow. Unlike if Heck is named the starter there will be much more patience with him.
 

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
16,420
25,402
113
We all have seen this story line before….unfortunately, I think Kirk is leaning Hank.
Season 5 No GIF by The Office
 
  • Sad
Reactions: Iron Doc

r_desihawk

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
2,729
3,944
112
let’s hope that over the next 3 weeks jeremy doesn’t decide to miss meetings or smoke a doobie or invent a new way to inhabit the dog house
 

Hawkeye1984

Senior
Jul 29, 2022
438
816
93
Crowd will get load if they trot out Brown for that 1st series after that Kids Day and remembering that Indiana game fair or not
We don’t know what they are seeing in practice. The way we play ball turnovers are a death sentence. Kirk will pick the QB who takes the fewest risk with the ball and makes the least amount of mistakes. Ricky Stanzi was an anomaly in the fact that he could throw several picks and then the next few series dominate.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stoopsbrother

Heathen Raider

All-Conference
Nov 18, 2017
600
1,585
93
We don’t know what they are seeing in practice. The way we play ball turnovers are a death sentence. Kirk will pick the QB who takes the fewest risk with the ball and makes the least amount of mistakes. Ricky Stanzi was an anomaly in the fact that he could throw several picks and then the next few series dominate.
Iowa had not yet had the Bryan , Cade , Spencer ,or Deacon Hill run of excellence yet when Stanzi played and after seeing the Indiana Game and that Kids Day Brown like it or not gave nearly everyone that PTSD right back
 

Max Rebo

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2022
763
2,067
93
We don’t know what they are seeing in practice. The way we play ball turnovers are a death sentence. Kirk will pick the QB who takes the fewest risk with the ball and makes the least amount of mistakes. Ricky Stanzi was an anomaly in the fact that he could throw several picks and then the next few series dominate.
The last time Hank Brown started a college football game, he threw 3 INTs in the first half. Granted, that was nearly two years ago, in a completely different offense. All the same, I'm not so sure that Hecklinski isn't the "safer" pick, based on the limited evidence we have seen. As you said, we don't know what they are seeing in practice.
 

MeetTheFerentzes

All-Conference
Sep 6, 2022
2,212
4,241
113
The last time Hank Brown started a college football game, he threw 3 INTs in the first half. Granted, that was nearly two years ago, in a completely different offense. All the same, I'm not so sure that Hecklinski isn't the "safer" pick, based on the limited evidence we have seen. As you said, we don't know what they are seeing in practice.
We've seen a lot more of Hank than we've seen of Heck. Unfortunately, pretty much everything we've seen from Hank has been not-so-good - 1) His rather cruddy performance as a frosh starter at Auburn, 2) His deer-in-the-headlights performance against Indiana in the only time he was critically needed, and 3) The Kids' Day debacle. I think I have the same gut feeling that many Hawkeye fans have, and that is that Hank probably doesn't have what it takes, or else we would have seen something more positive by now. Not only does Hecklinski seem to have a higher ceiling, his Kids' Day performance supported everyone's hopes that he might be the better guy in the spotlight.

If it turns out that Hank is given the nod on opening day, I would hope that Hawkeye fans would be very supportive. No matter who it is, I think everyone has to agree that the very best thing for this football team is for them to have a QB1 who performs very well from Day 1 and does nothing all season to call into question his status as QB1.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DuddyB

RuggieC

Senior
Mar 30, 2014
462
958
93
Re-watching Heck's throws from Saturday:
- Great completion percentage
- Never threw the ball up for grabs
- Did not just take off and run at first sign of play breaking down (but we know he can).
- Looked very comfortable

Nothing against Hank, and yes, we don't see practices, but this was a moment for someone to separate themselves close to the season opener. Heck did that. It almost felt like he KNEW he had to show poise, solid reads, no forced throws, etc. In my opinion he actually dialed it back a bit to show he can be THAT guy when needed....but I think he also knows when the game is on the line and he needs to make a throw in a tight window, he can do that as well.

I really want the best guy on the field and if both guys will see the field at the opener I want to see Heck first frankly because there is more pressure in that spot and I want to see how he responds. I also hope that when Hank plays he knocks it out of the park. That would be a GREAT problem for us to have.
 

HawksRule73

All-Conference
Jun 26, 2025
653
1,762
93
There's a point where how you play when the lights are on matters. I do appreciate Kirk bringing up Chuck Hartlieb on multiple occasions. Chuck was a guy who was 3rd string when it came to practice, but when the lights were on, he was cash money, so I do think KF understands that dynamic. From what little I know, it sounds like the team has started to rally around Heck, sensing that he's the guy. That also matters to KF, which is one of the reasons he was apprehensive about pulling Petras. The team still had Spencer's back and the quickest way to lose a locker room is to pull a guy that the players still want. That still matters to KF and KF is a lot of things, but a "loser of locker rooms" is not one of them.
 
Hawkeye Report

Latest

  1. 01 Hawkeye Report Ranking Iowa basketball's non-conference opponents
  2. 02 Hawkeye Report FALL CAMP SPECIAL: Get 75% off subscription to Hawkeye Report
  3. 03 Hawkeye Report Tracking where Iowa's recruits play this week
  4. 04 Hawkeye Report Iowa men's basketball announces non-conference schedule
  5. 05 Hawkeye Report Iowa AD Beth Goetz receives contract extension, raise