Iowa Football Position Preview: QB

Cade McNamara Addition Creating High Hopes for Hawkeye Offense

Iowa's Cade McNamara poses for a photo at the team's annual media day on Aug. 11, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

Cade McNamara carries the confidence of a starting quarterback, which makes it seem like he’s been Iowa’s starter for a long time.

And yet he hasn’t taken a snap in competition for the Hawkeyes.

McNamara, who transferred from Michigan in the winter, is expected to be the key piece in the revival of an offense that has nowhere to go but up, which is why there was plenty of angst when he limped out of Kinnick Stadium after a fall to the turf in the August 12 Kids’ Day scrimmage.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz wasn’t worried about the injury to McNamara’s leg, saying he expected McNamara to be back at practice this week, with plenty of time to get ready for the September 2 season opener against Utah State.

The Hawkeyes went 8-5 overall, 5-4 in the Big Ten, while being ranked 129th in total offense, 122nd in passing offense and scoring offense, and 123rd in rushing offense. Now McNamara, who takes over for three-year starter Spencer Petras, is ready to take over.

“I’ve been here seven months now, and it’s been the best seven months of my life,” said McNamara, who threw for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns as Michigan’s starter in 2021. “I’m enjoying my time here, building my relationships with these dudes. Everyone here has been so welcoming to me. Now that I’ve gotten the hang of things, I’m more grateful I’m here.”

“He's been outstanding,” Ferentz said. “He's just a really good leader. He's a good football player. He's got good vision, makes good decisions. It's really been positive.”

McNamara’s health is of the utmost importance — a knee injury ended his season with the Wolverines last year.

He has already made an impact on the Hawkeyes, even without playing a game.

“The added dynamic of playing quarterback is that there’s leadership and responsibility that comes with it, and I have been thoroughly impressed since he got here in January with what he’s been able to do with that,” offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz said. “I don’t think it’s an easy situation stepping into a new locker room with new teammates, but he’s been able to earn their respect from day one and he continues to do that.”

“He’s a great player, an even better leader and person,” wide receiver Nico Ragaini said. “What he’s brought to this team is leadership, and he brings a chip on his shoulder that I think the offense, and the rest of the team, has kind of taken on with themselves as well.”

Brian Ferentz likes McNamara’s mobility.

“There’s a level of athleticism that he possesses and it’s good,” he said. “I think his baseball background helps him in doing some things on the fly and off platform. What you’re looking for offensively is to eliminate those bad plays. In a perfect world, we would never see him leave the pocket, we’d see him throw the ball on time and play where he needs to play and the ball to who he needs to get it to. But I think we all understand that we live in an imperfect world so there will be times where he has to create and he has the ability to do that.”

Backup quarterback Deacon Hill has also been impressive. Hill, a transfer from Wisconsin, has taken over the No. 2 spot on the depth chart with Joe Labas not practicing because of injuries.

“The good news is Deacon (Hill) is getting a lot of good work,” Kirk Ferentz said. “The bad news is Joe hasn't been able to compete. So hopefully we'll get him back on the field here soon.”

Labas got experience with his start in the Music City Bowl, and if he can get healthy it will allow the position group to be deeper. Otherwise, freshmen Marco Lainez and Tommy Poholsky will be battling to be No. 3.