Iowa has plenty to feel good about heading into the season, but the biggest storyline hanging over the Hawkeyes is still the same one that tends to decide a lot of Saturdays: quarterback.
That’s the view ESPN’s Jake Trotter landed on when a group of ESPN college football writers picked the biggest lingering question for each top 25 team entering the season. For Iowa, Trotter pointed straight to the quarterback competition, and it’s easy to see why.
The Hawkeyes are dealing with real turnover. Mark Gronowski is gone at quarterback.
The defensive line will have new starters at basically every spot. Special teams took a hit too, losing two All-Americans and its coordinator.
Even with a stout offensive line and an elite defensive coordinator in place, there are enough unknowns to keep this team from feeling settled just yet.
At quarterback, the battle is down to Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski, and it’s expected to continue into the fall after they split reps in the spring. Brown brings more size at 6-4 and 218 pounds, along with the kind of arm strength that stands out right away. He spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Auburn and made two starts for the Tigers before transferring to Iowa.
Hecklinski’s path looks different. He transferred to Iowa last year after taking just three total snaps as a freshman in 2024 at Wake Forest. At 5-11, he doesn’t have Brown’s frame, but he does bring the ability to make plays with his legs.
That’s why this race matters so much for a team coming off a nine-win season. Iowa figures to be sturdy again in the trenches and on defense, but the quarterback spot will decide how far the Hawkeyes can go in the Big Ten.
If one of Brown or Hecklinski settles the job and plays well, Iowa has the kind of profile that could make it a dark-horse College Football Playoff team. If the position stays unsettled, the season could turn frustrating in a hurry.
For now, everything comes back to the same question. The next month will tell Iowa a lot about who’s taking the snaps - and what kind of season is waiting in Iowa City.
In Other News...
Iowas Top Point Guard Target Just Became A Much Bigger Battle
Cayden Daughtrys rise has turned a promising recruiting target into one of the most watched point guard pursuits in the 2027 class. The Florida guard has surged to No. 3 overall in the 247Sports rankings after standout showings on the Nike EYBL circuit and at Peach Jam, and Iowa has been aggressive in making him a priority for Ben McCollums staff.
The Hawkeyes have positioned themselves well enough to be in the conversation early, but the race is far from simple. Daughtry is drawing heavy attention from Arkansas, Louisville, Miami, Michigan and Tennessee, and his official visit to Iowa City is set for later September, a trip that could help clarify where this battle really stands. [Read more 🡒]
Jan Jensen Is Already Chasing A Guard Iowa Fans Need To Watch
Jan Jensen and her staff are already working well down the road on the recruiting trail, and one of the names worth circling is Harper Winter, a freshman guard at Blue Valley North in Overland Park, Kansas. Iowa is among the programs that have offered the 2029 prospect, who has quickly built a rsum that has her on the radar of major Midwest and national programs alike.
Winter already carries the kind of profile that makes early attention feel justified, with a four-star label, a strong scouting grade and recognition as MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year. Iowa is not alone in the chase, either, with Iowa State, Kansas State and Texas Tech also in the mix, which means the Hawkeyes are getting involved in a recruitment that figures to keep growing as she moves through high school. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Sets Another Special Kids Day At Kinnick
Kids Day is coming back to Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. CT, giving Iowa fans another chance to see the Hawkeyes up close before the season gets rolling. The annual event will feature an open practice, and kids will also have a shot at autographs from players along the west and south stands before the workout begins.
The day is built around more than just football, though, with the 2026 Kid Captains set to get an inside look at Kinnick before joining players on the field for photos. Admission is free, and parking will be free in designated hard surface lots, with regular ramp fees still in place, while tickets are still available for several home games on the 2026 schedule, including matchups with Ohio State, Wisconsin for Homecoming, Purdue and Nebraska. [Read more 🡒]