The Iowa football roster is undergoing a significant shakeup heading into the 2026 season. Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown are headlining a quarterback competition that will shape the Hawkeyes’ future. Kirk Ferentz’s squad enters a pivotal offseason with major roster changes and a clear starting QB battle set to unfold.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown will compete for Iowa’s starting QB role in 2026
- Offensive Coordinator Tim Lester confirmed a two-man quarterback battle beginning in March and April spring practices
- Hecklinski, a Wake Forest transfer, was the No. 25 QB in his 2023 recruiting class
- Brown transferred to Iowa from Auburn in December 2024 and has three years of eligibility remaining
The Two Quarterbacks Ready for 2026 Battle
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Jeremy Hecklinski represents Iowa’s homegrown future at quarterback. The 5’11” redshirt freshman from Wake Forest redshirted during 2024 after taking just three snaps his first year. Hecklinski was rated as the highest-rated Wake Forest quarterback recruit in the 247 composite era and threw 50 touchdowns in 14 games while leading his high school team to a state championship.
Hank Brown brings immediate experience and competition. The 6’4″ sophomore from Nashville, Tennessee, played at Auburn before transferring to Iowa. Brown comes from a championship high school program at Lipscomb Academy, where he led the Mustangs to a perfect 13-0 record and the 2022 Tennessee D2-AA state championship. He will have three full years to compete and develop with the Hawkeyes.
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Tim Lester, Iowa’s Offensive Coordinator, expressed confidence in both quarterbacks. The coaching staff feels good about riding with both signal-callers to duke it out for the starting position during spring practices and training camp.
What Tim Lester Said About the Quarterback Competition
Iowa’s offensive coordinator confirmed in late December that the expectations are clear for the 2026 QB room. The staff expects to have a quality starting-QB battle in March and April spring practices, with the competition potentially extending through August.
“We feel good about riding with Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski to duke it out for the starting quarterback.”
— Tim Lester, Offensive Coordinator
Lester’s comments suggest Iowa wants fresh quarterback energy for 2026. Mark Gronowski, the South Dakota State transfer who led the Hawkeyes in 2025, is graduating. This opens the door for Hecklinski’s development and Brown’s arrival to create legitimate on-field competition.
Iowa’s Quarterback Room and Roster Overhaul
| Quarterback | Background | Status for 2026 |
| Jeremy Hecklinski | Wake Forest transfer, 5’11”, 188 lbs, redshirt freshman | Starting competition |
| Hank Brown | Auburn transfer, 6’4″, 210 lbs, sophomore | Starting competition |
| Jimmy Sullivan | Return option, development role | Backup depth |
| Ryan Fitzgerald | Return option, depth chart | Backup depth |
Iowa’s quarterback position represents just one piece of a larger roster reshaping. Coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed in December that he plans to coach the Hawkeyes through 2026 and beyond. The 70-year-old legendary coach will lead his 28th season in Iowa City next fall. Ferentz emphasized he doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon, keeping continuity for the program.
Beyond the QB room, Iowa faces significant roster transitions. The team has targeted the transfer portal to reload defensive line depth and bolster the receiving corps. Approximately two-thirds of Iowa’s roster consists of players from the class of 2027, meaning recruiting juice and development potential run deep.
Hecklinski’s Growth and Development Timeline
Jeremy Hecklinski showed growth during his redshirt year at Iowa. The coaching staff highlighted how he developed in the 2025 offseason and gained valuable experience understanding the Hawkeyes’ system. Hecklinski stands 5 feet, 11 inches tall at 188 pounds and brings elite arm talent with unique field vision.
Hecklinski was showcased late in Iowa’s 2025 season. He entered a game after Hank Brown had been the backup throughout the season. This moment signaled coaching staff confidence in the young quarterback’s readiness for the 2026 competition. Spring practices will give coaches a full evaluation window with both quarterbacks running the offense simultaneously.
The redshirt freshman’s journey from Wake Forest walks an interesting path. He took just three snaps in 2024 before transferring to Iowa for four years of eligibility. That redshirt year proved valuable for learning Iowa’s up-tempo offense and building chemistry with receivers and running backs now returning for 2026.
What This Quarterback Battle Means for Iowa’s 2026 Season?
The Hecklinski versus Brown competition sets the tone for Iowa’s offensive identity next season. Hecklinski brings mobility and a gunslinger mentality. Brown offers size, experience from a Power Four program, and three full years to develop in the Iowa system. The winner of this battle will determine how Tim Lester deploys the offense and what type of quarterback Iowa fundamentally becomes.
This battle matters beyond spring practice and August camp. Big Ten competition has evolved, and Iowa needs consistent quarterback play to compete. Missouri transferred to the SEC, changing conference dynamics. The Hawkeyes need their starting quarterback to emerge decisively during spring practices to build offensive continuity heading into 2026.
Kirk Ferentz’s program will use March, April, and August to evaluate both young quarterbacks extensively. Depth chart decisions made now impact recruiting strategy, transfer portal moves, and team building throughout the offseason. Iowa athletics announced early signing period success, with 22 prep athletes signed to scholarship agreements in early December, providing recruiting momentum
Sources
- USA Today – Hawkeyes Wire – Iowa Football OC dissects future of Hawkeyes’ 2026 QB room
- Hawk Central – Iowa football’s QB competition for 2026 has already begun
- 247Sports – Iowa Football: Way-Too-Early Projection of the Starting QB
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