The quarterback room in Iowa City is about as deep as it’s been in recent memory - and that’s saying something. Even with the departure of standout Mark Gronowski, the Hawkeyes aren’t exactly scrambling to fill the void under center. In fact, they’re heading into next season with five quarterbacks on the roster who each bring something unique to the table.
Let’s start with the returners. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski are the only two who saw game action last season.
Brown stepped in when Gronowski went down against Indiana, while Hecklinski got some late-game reps after moving up to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Neither saw extended time, but both now have a taste of live action - and that experience could prove valuable in what’s shaping up to be a wide-open competition.
Also back are redshirt freshmen Jimmy Sullivan and Ryan Fitzgerald. Sullivan spent last year developing behind the scenes, while Fitzgerald - the son of new Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald - has been quietly building his game. Both are expected to be in the mix this spring, and while they haven’t taken a collegiate snap yet, they’ve had a full year to absorb the playbook and adjust to the speed of the college game.
But the name turning the most heads right now? That would be Tradon Bessinger.
The Hawkeyes pulled off a major recruiting win when they flipped Bessinger from Boise State. The Utah native originally committed to the Broncos, but after a visit to Iowa City - during the always-heated Floyd of Rosedale rivalry game - he reopened his recruitment and ultimately chose the black and gold.
Bessinger isn’t just another arm in the room. He was named USA Today’s Offensive Player of the Year after a monster senior season at Davis High School, where he threw for 4,313 yards and 53 touchdowns.
That capped off a high school career that saw him rack up over 10,000 passing yards. His talent didn’t go unnoticed - he landed in the final top 10 of Rivals’ 2026 quarterback rankings, just behind Wake Forest commit Grant Lawless.
This is a big get for Iowa. Not just because of Bessinger’s raw numbers, but because of what it says about the direction of the program.
In the post-Gronowski era, the Hawkeyes are reloading, not rebuilding. And Bessinger’s commitment is a signal that Iowa is becoming a serious player on the national recruiting trail, especially at the quarterback position.
Now, whether Bessinger sees the field right away is another question. Kirk Ferentz has never been one to rush true freshmen into the spotlight, especially at quarterback.
With four other signal-callers already in the room - two with game experience and two with a year of development under their belts - there’s no pressure to throw Bessinger into the fire. But that doesn’t mean fans won’t be watching closely.
The ceiling with Bessinger is high. He’s got the arm talent, the production, and the pedigree to be a future star in Iowa’s offense. Whether that future starts in Week 1 or a year down the line, the Hawkeyes have to feel good about the depth and potential they’ve built at the most important position on the field.
Bottom line: Iowa’s quarterback room isn’t just full - it’s loaded. And with a talent like Bessinger waiting in the wings, the future under center in Iowa City looks bright.