IOWA CITY — The Iowa Hawkeyes unveiled their week one depth chart on Monday.
The release confirmed Cade McNamara as the Hawkeyes’ starting quarterback after a battle between McNamara and Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan.
Iowa running back Kamari Moulton runs the ball against Western Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
The decision comes as little surprise as Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz indicated McNamara won the job last week. However, Ferentz stopped short of officially naming the former Michigan transfer as the Hawkeyes’ QB1.
“We have been letting both guys get some work with the ones,” Ferentz said. “There has been ebb and flow throughout the entire camp … There has been some back and forth, some ups and downs. Both guys, this week, have looked more comfortable. They have done a lot of good things.
“If we were to play tomorrow, Cade would be No. 1, Brendan would be No. 2 and Marco (Lainez) would be No. 3.”
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Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara (12) warms up before practice during Kids’ Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa
Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK
McNamara started five games for Iowa in 2023, completing 51.1% of his passes for 505 yards and 4 touchdowns with three interceptions. The Hawkeyes went 4-1 in McNamara’s five starts before an injury caused him to miss the final nine games of the season.
During his availability last week, Ferentz said the quarterback battle gave him an air of optimism regarding the Hawkeyes’ status at the position.
“We are much healthier at that position in terms of game experience, depth — those types of things,” Ferentz said. “… (I) just like what I see with the quarterback room, how it is shaping up right now.”
In addition to solidifying McNamara atop the quarterback depth chart, Monday’s release revealed redshirt freshman running back Kamari Moulton as the Hawkeyes’ starter.
Moulton, who started fall camp at No. 3 on the depth chart, jumped veterans Leshon Williams, who slotted in at No. 2, and Kaleb Johnson, who debuted at No. 3, for the job.
The former three-star prospect appeared in four games in 2023, retaining his redshirt, and carried the ball 27 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
Mason Richman, Beau Stephens, Logan Jones, Connor Colby and Gennings Dunker will start along the offensive line.
Luke Lachey will return as the starting tight end for the Hawkeyes. Lachey led Iowa in receiving through the first three games with 10 receptions for 131 yards before missing the final 11 games of the season.
Jarriett Buie, Kaden Wetjen and Northwestern transfer Jacob Gill will start at wide receiver for Iowa.
During Iowa’s media day earlier this month, Ferentz said Wetjen needed to continue growing as a football player. Wetjen agreed with Ferentz’s comments, citing his lack of history at the wide receiver position.
“I feel like in all aspects of my game there is always room for improvement,” Wetjen said. “There are still techniques as a receiver that I am getting to know and learn. I just started playing receiver three years ago. There is a bunch of stuff to learn.”
Iowa’s Hayden Large, left, gets embraced by teammates after a touchdown during the Hawkeyes’ spring game Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
Joseph Cress, Iowa City Press Citizen
The former Iowa Western Community College standout turned Iowa walk-on also noted Iowa’s wide receivers can be much improved in 2024.
“I think the sky is the limit for this receiving room,” Wetjen said. “We have a really good shot to be very good as a unit. We still have to show up every game and we can improve every week.”
Hayden Large will start at fullback.
Earlier this month, new offensive coordinator Tim Lester indicated that Iowa’s fullbacks could carve out a versatile role in his new offense and cited two notable professional football examples as proof of their potential role.
“You watch what the 49ers run with (Kyle) Juszczyk. The Packers run a lot out of 12. It’s the same thing,” Lester said. “The one thing about a conceptual offense is that everyone needs to know every position. The fullbacks fit right in with playing tight end because we line them up everywhere, so it fits in really well.”
Iowa defensive lineman Ethan Hurkett tackles Iowa State running back Abu Sama as he runs the ball on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.
Courier Staff Photographer
On defense, Deontae Craig, Aaron Graves, Yahya Black and Ethan Hurkett make up a veteran offensive line.
Iowa defensive line coach Kelvin Bell said the closeness and chemistry of his veteran defensive line will be a strength in 2024.
“It is an experienced group,” Bell said. “When I think about the guys that are returning starters … those guys came in during Covid. I had a great oppportunity to spend a lot of time with those guys viz Zoom when the country was shut down. They have a unique understanding and probably had a bigger head start than other freshman coming in. (I) have the utmost trust in those guys.
“They play for each other. They are not playing for their own accolades. That is what makes that group so special.”
With Hurkett earning the top spot at right end, the Cedar Rapids Xavier product will get his first career start for the Hawkeyes on Saturday.
Earlier this month, Hurkett discussed what it would be mean to start for the black and gold in his fourth year in the program.
“It would be a dream come true,” Hurkett said. “It would be pretty cool if that does happen.”
Kyler Fisher, Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson return as Iowa’s starters at linebacker.
In the secondary, Sebastian Castro, Xavier Nwankpa and Quinn Schulte return as starters at cash, strong safety and free safety, respectively.
T.J. Hall and Jermari Harris will start at cornerback for the Hawkeyes. Sophomores John Nestor and Deshaun Lee finished as second team corners after fall camp.
In an Aug. 16 interview with Ashley Adamson and Gerry DiNardo on Big Ten Network, Phil Parker spoke highly of his defense entering his 13th season as Iowa’s defensive coordinator
“I think we are in a good spot right now,” Parker said. “… We have great leadership from the linebackers to the defensive line.”
Parker, with a tinge of surprise in his voice, described the Hawkeyes’ secondary as their biggest weakness at the midpoint of fall camp.
“We just got to make sure we shore (it) up,” he said. “I think we have two good safeties. (We will) find out if we can hold up out there.”
On special teams, Drew Stevens remains the starting kicker while Rhys Dakin takes over punting duties from Tory Taylor. Luke Elkin remains the Hawkeyes’ long snapper.
Iowa kicks off the 2024 season with a home matchup against Illinois State on Saturday at 11 a.m. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.
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Publish date : 2024-08-26 09:08:00
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