Iowa’s quarterback race still has no clean answer, and On3 just poured a little more gasoline on it.
With the Hawkeyes about 50 days from kicking off the 2026-2027 season, the battle between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski remains wide open. Kirk Ferentz has kept things tight-lipped, as he usually does, and the only thing that really seems clear is that the competition is still sitting at “50-50.”
On3 Sports leaned slightly toward Hecklinski in its Big Ten quarterback projections, giving him the nod over Brown. That choice lines up with the way last season unfolded: Brown opened the year as the backup to starter Mark Gronowski, but Hecklinski eventually moved ahead of him.
Pete Nakos said Ferentz told On3 in the spring that he wouldn’t be surprised if Iowa uses both quarterbacks, which only adds to the sense that this decision could stretch into the fall. Both players reportedly got equal starting reps during spring ball and both handled themselves well. On3 also noted that Brown seemed to close some of the gap, which is why this thing feels even murkier now than it did before spring practice.
That’s the reality here: nobody outside the program seems to know which way Iowa is leaning, and the projection reflects that uncertainty. Hecklinski may be the safer pick, but it’s not exactly a confident one.
The two quarterbacks bring different styles to the table. Hecklinski is the more aggressive thrower, the kind of player willing to challenge defenses downfield.
Brown is described as the more accurate passer with the stronger arm, but he’s more comfortable working from the pocket. That contrast matters because offensive coordinator Tim Lester’s system may fit Hecklinski a little better.
There’s also the way last season played out. Brown had the earlier edge because he had more time in the system after arriving as an early transfer during bowl preparation. Hecklinski came in through the portal after the season, so Brown naturally had the head start in the backup battle.
When Gronowski was injured late against Indiana, Brown got his chance and didn’t do much with it. He said after the game that he didn’t play his best in the loss.
That opened the door for Hecklinski, who later entered in the blowout win at Wisconsin and completed his lone pass for two yards. He also got into the rout of Minnesota in Kinnick Stadium and scored a rushing touchdown on an option play.
Brown has reportedly pushed hard to regain ground, but the fit argument still points toward Hecklinski. Iowa added more option looks and quarterback-run plays with Gronowski last season, and Hecklinski has already shown he can make plays on the move. Brown can run too, but he’s been more effective as a pocket passer.
At this point, the safest read is that Iowa still doesn’t have a clear answer. If nobody pulls away over the summer, Hecklinski looks like the guy who would be hardest to unseat.
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