Iowa is taking a close look at another 2028 quarterback, and this one has the kind of tools that keep programs coming back for more.
Brayden Tillman, a three-star dual-threat QB from Traverse City, Michigan, has set a visit to Iowa City for Week One, when the Hawkeyes host Northern Illinois. He’s also added visits to Illinois and Wisconsin, giving his recruitment a little more shape as more schools enter the picture.
Tillman’s offer list has grown fast. After finishing his sophomore season with no offers in hand, he started picking them up this offseason and now has scholarship opportunities from Florida State, Michigan State, Purdue, and Wisconsin. Iowa has not offered yet, choosing instead to keep evaluating him through the September 5 visit and during his season at Traverse City West High School.
The appeal is obvious. At 6-foot-4, Tillman brings dual-threat ability, moves well both inside and outside the pocket, and will take off with the ball when a play breaks down.
He also has sneaky speed for his size and enough arm strength to drive accurate throws to the middle and deep parts of the field. He doesn’t spend much time under center, but the overall package fits what college coaches keep chasing.
Iowa already has a quarterback committed in the 2027 class in Brayden Santibanez, and the staff has been active in the 2028 cycle as well, offering eight quarterbacks so far, all of them three- or four-stars. The Hawkeyes have been looking for a future answer at the position, and Tillman is now firmly on their radar.
Offensive coordinator Tim Lester said the offense might not use the QB run game as much as they did with Mark Gronowski in 2025, but Iowa’s interest in dual-threat quarterbacks hasn’t changed. If Tillman turns in a strong junior season, the list of schools chasing him could get crowded in a hurry.
It would not be a surprise if Iowa makes a formal offer after the NIU weekend. Either way, Tillman looks like a name the Hawkeyes - and plenty of others - will keep circling.
In Other News...
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Saturday brought a familiar kind of reminder for Iowa fans: the programs NFL pipeline keeps showing up on game days. Former Hawkeyes were scattered across the league and made their presence felt in different ways, from Tyler Goodsons 49-yard touchdown for the Atlanta Falcons to Drew Stevens handling kicking duties for the Washington Commanders with two field goals and an extra point.
The rest of the group filled out the box scores in a way Hawkeye followers have come to appreciate. Tory Taylor punted six times for the Chicago Bears, Anthony Nelson turned in 1.5 sacks and four tackles for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and TJ Hall added six tackles and a pass defended for the New Orleans Saints, another steady reminder that Iowa alums keep carving out roles on Sundays and Saturdays alike. [Read more 🡒]
Iowas Quarterback Battle Is Reaching A Decision Point
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The next phase is about more than just who looks sharp in drills. The coaching staff still wants to see how each handles situational football before making a final call, which means the decision will come down to command, timing and responses when the pressure changes. For now, the Hawkeyes are letting the competition breathe, even as it edges closer to the point where a choice has to be made. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Secondary May Need This Newcomer Sooner Than Expected
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For Iowa, the timing matters. The expectation is that Brown will factor into the defensive back rotation, and the sooner he can handle the scheme comfortably, the more useful he becomes if the Hawkeyes need help on the back end. His camp progress has been part recovery and part assimilation, and what happens next will determine how quickly he can turn a late summer arrival into a real role. [Read more 🡒]