QB Options For 2026

[Bierhalter]

How many times has iowa hit in the portal on any of those? DT they pulled Hawthorne last year, WR (?), DB (?), edge (?). I think the secondary is fairly set, LB is going to be questionable again, DL probably needs depth, but It's time to see some of those RS sophomores step in. Anderson, Chineke, Campbell, Kennedy should all see the field at some point. I must admit, I am always at a loss when people are confident rolling in with Hecklinski or Brown (good lord please no).

Heck is still effectively an unknown so I wouldn't say I'm confident. Problem is, I'm also not confident that Iowa can bring in a portal QB who is both 1. Healthy and 2. Better than who we already have.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Heck is still effectively an unknown so I wouldn't say I'm confident. Problem is, I'm also not confident that Iowa can bring in a portal QB who is both 1. Healthy and 2. Better than who we already have.

Maybe the Mizzou guy or have Rocco come over to play for a real team with real OL.

 

[doughuddl2_rivals]

Iowa didn't have the money to get Mendoza. Your back of napkin budgeting fails to recognize that the numbers are all relative. If you want a high level QB out of the portal, you need to offer more than other schools. Iowa can't do that. Indiana can since Mark Cuban starting donating to athletics.

Gronowski was not Iowa's top option. He was the best they could get given the number of available quarterbacks, the needs of other teams and the amount of money they could offer.

Why keep comparing to Indiana when they just flat out have more money to pay players?

One day you will catch up.

 

[kwik44]

Lester noted in a media session this past season that Hecklinski had an advantage on Brown when it came to off-schedule plays. Which says a bit. That comment coupled with the acknowledgement that Hecklinski is a bit of 'gun-slinger' tells me Hecklinski likely has some real play making ability. Finds a way. If you watch his tape from HS this would be confirmed. Lots of creative throws, off balance throws, etc. Seemed really accurate though.

His negatives are A) size, B) not a huge arm. (Seems more like a Purdy/Brecht arm to me)

Brown, as we've seen, has a bigger arm. Has some real velocity on his throws and can likely fit it into windows that Hecklinski couldn't. Better size. But doesn't move as well and isn't the creator his Hecklinski is. Sounds like a guy that has some real arm talent, can look really good in practice... but questions remain on level of play on game day. Can he put it all together?

That's the sense I get on these two.

I believe he was player of the year in 2023 in Georgia’s third highest class, 5A. I’ll get jumped for the sample size, but his scramble TD against Minnesota showed me the kid has ‘gamer’ qualities.

 

[kwik44]

Iowa didn't have the money to get Mendoza. Your back of napkin budgeting fails to recognize that the numbers are all relative. If you want a high level QB out of the portal, you need to offer more than other schools. Iowa can't do that. Indiana can since Mark Cuban starting donating to athletics.

Gronowski was not Iowa's top option. He was the best they could get given the number of available quarterbacks, the needs of other teams and the amount of money they could offer.

Why keep comparing to Indiana when they just flat out have more money to pay players?

Still makes me sad and angry at the same time, even when I should be well-adjusted to what NIL is. So wrong on many levels.

 

[hawkeyebob1962]

Maybe the Mizzou guy or have Rocco come over to play for a real team with real OL.

Do you mean soon-to-be-Nittany Lion Rocco?

 

[EdgarAllenPodolak]

Any news if Marcus Stokes will visit.

 

[doughuddl2_rivals]

Who's at the top...

$2.1 million QB ranked as top quarterback in college football transfer portal

On December 9, sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt informed Arizona State staff that he intends to pursue the transfer portal. Leavitt began 2025 as Arizona Stat

www.si.com