Inside The Hawkeyes

FILM ROOM: Cade McNamara

New Iowa Quarterback Brings Experience, Success to Hawkeyes

Rob Howe

Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara runs the offense against the Colorado State Rams on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK)
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*Editor's Note: If you came here expecting hard-core film breakdown with a lot of terminology you don't understand, well, you came to the wrong place. It's just a guy who's watched a lot of football in his 55 years on earth and loves the game.  

IOWA CITY. Iowa - I'm looking forward to speaking with new Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara when he's available during Spring practice next month. I enjoying listening to players talk about the game. 

In the meantime, I thought I'd consider what I'll ask while watching highlights from his Michigan days. The feedback I've heard from a few sources in the know are excited for 2023 with the Reno, Nevada Damonte Ranch High graduate under center. 

McNamara (6-1, 206) led the Wolverines to a Big Ten title and the College Football Playoff after 2021 season. They topped Iowa, 42-3, in the conference championship contest. He completed 16 of 24 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown with one interception against a stingy Hawkeye defense. 

During 14 starts in '21, McNamara completed 210 of 327 passes for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns against six picks. He lost his starting job to JJ McCarthy this past Fall, underwent knee surgery and entered the portal after the season. 

McNamara has expressed confidence in being able to help an Iowa offense that has ranked among the country's worst the last two years. The Hawkeyes have added pieces around him this offseason, including his tight end at Michigan, Erick All. 

I'm not smart enough to cut up video on You Tube. You can watch his '21 highlights season HERE. 

I found some video on Twitter that we can discuss. This one was the first clip on his highlights linked above. 

As the announcers state, West Michigan is showing blitz before backing out of it. McNamara did a good job identifying that and standing in the pocket with great protection. He then dropped a dime to a very good receiver in Ronnie Bell. 

Credit McNamara for reading the defense and finding Bell in single coverage. And the accuracy on the deep ball impressed. 

This 37-yard toss to Cornelius Johnson against Ohio State again showed off McNamara's touch. The ball was delivered perfectly. 

The timing also stood out on this throw. It arrived at the top of Johnson's route in dicey weather. 

A 21-yard strike to receiver Roman Wilson shows a little but more arm strength with the accuracy from McNamara. He needed extra on the ball while threading it between the cornerback, close on the inside, and the safety closing across the middle. 

The above clip came from a game in '20 when McNamara hit Mike Sainristil for the six-yard score. Yes, Sainristil benefited from a pick by a teammate. But his quarterback made a play in an area on the field that has destroyed Iowa recently by feeling the rush, stepping up into the throw and delivering a strike. 

Backed up against his end zone with a third down at rival Michigan State in '21, McNamara again shows solid arm strength, a quick release and excellent timing in hitting true freshman receiver Andrel Anthony in stride so he could run after the catch. 

Here we see McNamara show off his mobility in taking advantage of an aggressive Iowa defense with a hole in the middle during the '21 title game. This run highlights a straight-line burst, which should keep defenses honest. 

What impressed me about this 87-yard scoring toss to Johnson is the awareness of how the ball needed to be thrown. In addition to the accuracy, he realized he didn't require too much air under the ball and pushed it 45 yards in the air, again hitting the receiver in motion. 

OK, that's seven clips that give you an idea of what McNamara can do. Remember, these are called highlights for a reason. Nobody releases lowlight film unless they're warped. 

Watch these clips and the '21 season highlights linked above understanding McNamara's capabilities. Understand Iowa must improve offensive line and receiver play to come closer to what you see on this film from the Wolverines. 

With time and a running game, I like what I see from McNamara. The accuracy on different types of throws is nice to see. And while the arm strength probably isn't as strong as his predecessor at Iowa, Spencer Petras, it's strong enough to make all the throws in a successful offense. The mobility in keeping plays alive also is a nice feature. 

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Rob Howe
ROB HOWE

HN Staff

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