By Jonathan Rhoades from The Big Ten Huddle
Iowa football fans, buckle up! The Hawkeyes just added a new quarterback to their roster, and it’s none other than Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan. With two years of eligibility remaining, Sullivan has officially committed to Iowa, bringing his talents and experience to the field.
As we all know, Iowa is no stranger to quarterback battles. In recent seasons, the Hawkeyes have seen their fair share of competition at the position. This year, the spotlight is on two contenders: Cade McNamara, the seasoned veteran with a Big Ten Championship under his belt, and Brendan Sullivan, the new transfer portal commit from Northwestern with eight starts in the past two seasons.
McNamara, a key player for the Hawkeyes, has been plagued by injuries recently. This has opened the door for Sullivan, who was a high priority for Iowa’s offensive coordinator, Tim Lester. Sullivan’s mobility and accuracy make him an attractive option for Lester’s offensive strategy.
In his time at Northwestern, Sullivan completed 69% of his passes, racking up 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns with only five interceptions. He also proved his ability to make plays with his legs, rushing for 257 yards and two touchdowns over the past two seasons.
The competition is heating up despite McNamara’s impressive resume, including a Big Ten Championship with Michigan in 2021 and a solid performance with Iowa in 2023. With McNamara out until summer due to his injuries, Sullivan has a golden opportunity to prove himself and potentially secure the starting spot.
As we look ahead to the 2024 season, the question on everyone’s mind is: Who will start for Iowa? Will it be the reliable veteran Cade McNamara or the new and mobile Brendan Sullivan? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure—the competition will be fierce, and the outcome could significantly impact Iowa’s success in the upcoming season.
If I had to put money on it, I would predict that Cade McNamara will be the starter for Iowa at the beginning of the season. Perhaps if Tim Lester were there longer, Kirk Ferentz might trust him more and be a bit more ready for a more dynamic offense, but I think Kirk still has his conservative defense first nature in him that will lead him to advise Tim Lester to start Cade McNamara week 1.
So, what do you think, Hawkeye fans? Who do you want to see under center in 2024 – McNamara or Sullivan? Let the debate begin!