Things have taken a turn in Iowa City with the 2024 college football season just over two weeks away. Following their Kids’ Day practice, the Iowa Hawkeyes may have a quarterback competition on their hands.
The incumbent starter, Cade McNamara, struggled mightily at the open practice completing roughly a third of his passes along with an interception returned for a touchdown and fumble issues, both of which are big no’s in Kirk Ferentz’s offense.
Behind him, and closing in quickly, is Brendan Sullivan, a transfer from Northwestern, who came to Iowa to try and play rather than be a backup. His performance and McNamara’s struggles seem to be leading to a QB competition.
CBS Sports dove into what the competition looks like.
Most assumed entering Iowa’s fall camp slate that former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara was well-entrenched as the starting quarterback. After all, the veteran opened the 2023 season as Iowa’s starter before tearing his ACL in late-September vs. Michigan State .
While McNamara is still first in line to run the offense, a recent uninspiring performance at Iowa’s Kids’ Day Practice has left the door at least slightly ajar for other options. Iowa did bring in Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan , who has started games in the Big Ten and provides some upside as a rushing option. – Will Backus, CBS Sports
Sullivan, a career 68.7% passer, with 10 touchdowns to five interceptions in his career, does provide a boost on the ground over McNamara. Sullivan has run for 257 yards in his career.
Where he does lack is experience. He has only appeared in 13 games over the last two years with the Wildcats. That said, there is a tradeoff. He knows Tim Lester, Iowa’s offensive coordinator, from his time being recruited out of high school. Chemistry exists there and that could go a long way.
There is still a sense that McNamara won’t be dethroned before Week 1 but could see his starting job up for grabs soon thereafter if Sullivan continues to string good days together.
McNamara is still Iowa’s starting quarterback and will likely be the starting quarterback in Iowa’s season opener against Illinois State on Aug. 31. However, Sullivan has made things interesting and could continue to push for the QB1 job the next few weeks. – Sean Bock, 247Sports
The Hawkeyes should welcome a quarterback competition right now. They have not had steady quarterback play in a few years and this competition could lead to pushing McNamara to be better or force the staff to realize that Sullivan is the way to go.
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