Kirk Ferentz still isn’t ready to hand out the quarterback job after Kids Day, but the buzz around Jeremy Hecklinski is getting louder by the day.
The Hawkeyes’ most watched competition has been rolling since spring ball, and Ferentz confirmed again that no decision has been made. He had already said as much at Big Ten Football Media Days, and after Saturday’s open practice, the battle between Hank Brown and Hecklinski remains very much alive.
Still, if Kids Day was meant to give the public its first real look, Hecklinski made the strongest possible case. He looked sharp, decisive and dangerous, finishing 17 of 25 for 205 yards and five touchdowns while completing 68 percent of his passes. The offense hummed when he was in control, and the defense had trouble slowing things down during 11-on-11 work.
That kind of outing naturally fed the hype. Chris Hassel of CBS Sports didn’t hold back, calling Hecklinski “the hero Iowa needs” after the performance.
Jeremy Hecklinski is the hero Iowa football needs. He has the total package, including the look. pic.twitter.com/QQ5O4KY7dG
- Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) August 17, 2026
Hassel, an Iowa graduate and a familiar Hawkeye voice, captured the mood around the fan base. Hecklinski’s day turned heads because he wasn’t just productive - he looked comfortable doing it. He pushed the ball downfield, played with confidence and gave Iowa something it hasn’t had.
Brown, meanwhile, had a tougher open practice and drew some uncomfortable comparisons to his struggles in the Indiana game last season. He’s viewed as the steadier option, the quarterback less likely to gamble with the football, but that safety-first label didn’t really show up on Kids Day.
That’s why the momentum has swung so hard toward Hecklinski. He has the kind of profile that can catch fire with fans: not the obvious quarterback prototype, but a player who keeps making throws and winning people over.
The source material compares that kind of feel to what C.J. Beathard meant to the program.
None of that means Ferentz is about to make a popularity contest out of the job. He’ll sort through every variable and make the call he believes is best for the team.
But after what unfolded on Kids Day, the public sentiment is obvious. If it were up to the fans, Hecklinski would be the guy when Iowa opens against Northern Illinois on September 5.
In Other News...
Tavion Banks Just Changed Iowas Roster Picture Again
Tavion Banks Iowa future changed again after he was granted an injunction that gives him an additional year of NCAA eligibility, the latest ripple from a federal ruling tied to the 2022 recruiting class. For a program that had been waiting to see how his situation settled, the decision briefly pointed toward a return to Iowa City and another season in the Hawkeyes rotation.
Instead, Banks has chosen to transfer and is now sorting through a new final-year landing spot. He said he appreciated his time at Iowa, but is looking for a different basketball fit, leaving the Hawkeyes to adjust their roster picture once more while he weighs his next move. [Read more 🡒]
Drew Stevens Just Got A Huge NFL Opening With Washington
Drew Stevens entered Commanders camp as a long shot trying to carve out an NFL job after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the former Iowa kicker suddenly finds himself in a much better position. Washington signed Stevens to compete for the role, and his college resume at Iowa gave him some real credibility, with several program kicking records to his name.
The timing has only helped his case, with the depth chart at the position opening up just as preseason competition began. For a player fighting to stick in the league, this kind of opportunity can change everything quickly, and Stevens now has a clear runway to turn a camp chance into something more permanent. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Fans Will Notice A New Kinnick Change In 2026
Iowa fans will see another layer of corporate presence at Kinnick Stadium in 2026, as the University of Iowa Athletics has announced a new partnership with Progressive Insurance. The deal is built around expanded investment in football season exposure, with on-field branding set to join videoboard features, digital and social media integrations, and in-venue LED signage around the stadium.
The agreement also fits into a broader run of sponsorship announcements from Iowa Athletics, which has been adding outside money across its programs and venues. For a place like Kinnick, where the game-day atmosphere has always been part of the identity, the new look will be hard to miss once the 2026 season arrives. [Read more 🡒]