Kirk Ferentz expecting quarterback battle to extend beyond spring

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Although the Hawkeyes have several positions open as they navigate through spring practice, their head coach is keeping a close eye on the quarterback room.

Junior Hank Brown, and sophomore Jeremy Hecklinski continue to split first-team reps, while Kirk Ferentz observes their footwork, pocket awareness, delivery and command of the offense. Life after Mark Gronowski has Iowa fans tuning in for the competition between the two signal-callers, and they’re fairly green, having minimal in-game experience in Tim Lester’s system.

There are still several practices ahead leading up to the final scrimmage on April 25. However, Ferentz refuses to put a timeline on deciding who’ll be the starter in the fall.

“We’re just going to let it ride, Ferentz said. “Yeah, they are splitting reps pretty much down the middle, and we’ll probably do that — I mean there’s no rush here, there’s no benefit in making a call unless it just becomes obvious.”

Hecklinski and Brown bring different skills to the table. Brown started three games at Auburn in 2024, and appeared in three contests for Iowa last season. He threw a touchdown in the win over Massachusetts, and completed five of his 13 passes when Gronowski got injured against Indiana. Brown has ideal size too, standing 6-foot-4, and can add a few pounds to his frame over the the next few months.

Hecklinski is considerably smaller than Brown, standing 5-foot-11, and weighing 188 pounds, plus he has less experience. The Georgia native only took three snaps when he played for Wake Forest two years ago. Hecklinski attempted just two passes for Iowa last year, but did score a touchdown on the ground in the victory over Minnesota. Gronowski showed what Lester’s offense is capable of with a mobile quarterback behind center, and Ferentz believes both Brown and Hecklinski are capable of keeping the wheels rolling.

“Both guys are certainly more comfortable than a year ago, and that’s the good news,” he said. “They’re both operating, I think, with a lot more confidence, and familiarity.”

Before Gronowski arrived, the Hawkeyes went through several seasons of mediocre play at the quarterback position, which became liability for the rest of the team. Ferentz just wants to make sure that each player takes valuable snaps throughout the spring, knowing they’ll need to be ready for the speed, and physicality of defenses around the Big Ten.

“There’s no position more challenging, probably, than playing quarterback, mainly because they have their hands on the ball every play,” the 70-year old coach said. “It’s about playing within yourself, who you are, and maximizing what it is that you bring to the game, and both those guys are working really hard at it.”

Iowa had a successful running game last year, but no aerial attack. It’s no mystery that the Hawkeyes ranked second to last in the Big Ten, and 127th nationally in passing offense. Safety net tight end DJ Vonnahme is All-Big Ten caliber, and a vital piece to build the passing game around.

The protection from the big boys up front will also be key, considering Iowa could potentially have three of last year’s starters end up in the NFL Draft later this month. That means neither quarterback can be a statue in the pocket, and will have to use their mobility to extend plays, and avoid the pass rush.

Regardless of the matter, everything is still in the early stages with Brown and Hecklinski. Ferentz continues to monitor their ability to read defensive coverages, chemistry with the wide receivers and tight ends, and how they command the huddle. He doesn’t expect the two to start separating themselves from each other until fall camp, so there’s a lot of ground to cover from now until then.

“I really foresee these guys competing for quite a while, and the whole idea is not to make a decision fast, but to make the right decision.”