**2026 Iowa Football Offseason and Transfer Portal Thread**

[Gushawk]

Kirk's offenses and especially QB selection (including recruiting) have been infuriating at times, but there currently is some obvious positive momentum that should be encouraging for anyone with functioning eyes and brain. The current offensive philosophy is right for Iowa.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Kirk's offenses and especially QB selection (including recruiting) have been infuriating at times, but there currently is some obvious positive momentum that should be encouraging for anyone with functioning eyes and brain. The current offensive philosophy is right for Iowa.

I agree, there is positive momentum. I just believe that much of that improvement was made possible by a very talented dual threat one year rental QB. even then there were several games where our offense looked impossibly bad.

 

[Lee Beevers]

I agree, there is positive momentum. I just believe that much of that improvement was made possible by a very talented dual threat one year rental QB. even then there were several games where our offense looked impossibly bad.

That’s because you remain a very retarded person.

 

[Gushawk]

The Gronowski offseason injury held us back early last year. We were moving the ball well and consistently in the last 2/3 of the year or so.

There is a chance we revert to a pants shitter with limited escapability at QB, but it shouldn’t be the operating assumption.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

The Gronowski offseason injury held us back early last year. We were moving the ball well and consistently in the last 2/3 of the year or so.

There is a chance we revert to a pants shitter with limited escapability at QB, but it shouldn’t be the operating assumption.

really? Because that’s what we’ve had at qb for 80% of Kirk’s tenure.

 

[JR Hawks]

For those concerned Lester will pick the wrong QB, you can rest easy knowing Kirk will be looking over Lester's shoulder and whispering "Hank Brown" every step of the way.

 

[Thomas Wolsey]

Hank Brown got beat out Just last year because of his feet.

 

[brantshawks]

For those concerned Lester will pick the wrong QB, you can rest easy knowing Kirk will be looking over Lester's shoulder and whispering "Hank Brown" every step of the way.

Thanks, Cletey, jr.

 

[6deuce]

I'm not as pessimistic as my man @Gushawk on ol' Hank, but there's definitely concern. Pretty tough to evaluate him on his very very limited game action. That was a ridiculously tough environment to come into. The pants shitting is a definite concern, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

My pick for day 1 started is still Hecklinski

 

[Gushawk]

Hank may not be a pants shitter, but he also has shown preliminary indications of being one. If he’s playing, we’ll know by the first half of the ISU game. They won’t be good, but they will heat up our QB some. This guy’s SDSU defense certainly did last time they were in Kinnick.

 

[Lee Beevers]

Since Iowa didn’t recruit either out of high school I don’t feel Kirk will have any retarded loyalty card he would insist on playing. Hopefully one of them is an apt signal caller for the beloved Hawkeyes this fall.

 

[The Dad]

BTN had the 2024 Iowa-Neb game on yesterday. Holy fuck was our QB play bad. It was a nightmare to watch that shit again. Please Jesus let us have a decent QB this year.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

All the years with nightmare QB play sort of blend together

 

[Mysterio]

BTN had the 2024 Iowa-Neb game on yesterday. Holy fuck was our QB play bad. It was a nightmare to watch that shit again. Please Jesus let us have a decent QB this year.

u really could be speaking about any season after nathan stanley and prior to mark gronowski and the last 3 sentences still apply

 

[The Dad]

u really could be speaking about any season after nathan stanley and prior to mark gronowski and the last 3 sentences still apply

I didn’t mind Sullivan.

 

[The Dad]

But also realize he wasn’t great. Fuck we’ve been awful.

 

[KitKatApples]

I say we stick with skis

 

[6deuce]

I say we stick with skis

You want to go skiing?

 

[KitKatApples]

THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID!

 

[6deuce]

THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID!

You didn’t have to

 

[KitKatApples]

 

[CamelTones]

I’m much more concerned about the prospect of Gaffney and Hubert being rotational guys at defensive tackle than I am either QB starting. I’m hoping there’s a random Lukas Van Ness type on the depth chart that is surprisingly good. As good as Phil is, Iowa had a significant drop off in their ability to stop the run last year and they lost 5 of their main rotational guys up front.

 

[ChipHilton]

Kakert is hearing that Hank has the upper hand at this point, thanks to improvement in the spring.

 

[douglasbader]

Kakert is hearing that Hank has the upper hand at this point, thanks to improvement in the spring.

I heard him say that with our boy Trent Condom @tcondon today on Kakert's podcast. I'm willing to give ol' Hank another shot after an additional 10 months of prep since his pants shitting disaster against the undefeated national champions, but as they said that is the biggest unknown.

It's extremely hard to fix a pants shitter. It's also hard to judge a gamer by just practice. My guess is both Ferentz and Lester want it to be Hank and are hoping the lights finally come on for him and he can play a game without filling his diaper. From what Lester said, Hecklinski is the gunslinger, but he's packing a Derringer and Hank has a cannon.

Oh, and I listened to @tcondon's podcast as well and he did a mailbag edition. Sorry Trent, but I think most of the people that write in to you with questions might be complete idiots. Some of those questions would lead to them getting slapped on Halo.

 

[douglasbader]

Kakert also seemed to indicate that Lutmer has to play free safety this year and won't be playing Cash.

 

[Shawneemicks]

That’s where they want him

 

[CleteyColgate]

I heard him say that with our boy Trent Condom @tcondon today on Kakert's podcast. I'm willing to give ol' Hank another shot after an additional 10 months of prep since his pants shitting disaster against the undefeated national champions, but as they said that is the biggest unknown.

It's extremely hard to fix a pants shitter. It's also hard to judge a gamer by just practice. My guess is both Ferentz and Lester want it to be Hank and are hoping the lights finally come on for him and he can play a game without filling his diaper. From what Lester said, Hecklinski is the gunslinger, but he's packing a Derringer and Hank has a cannon.

Oh, and I listened to @tcondon's podcast as well and he did a mailbag edition. Sorry Trent, but I think most of the people that write in to you with questions might be complete idiots. Some of those questions would lead to them getting slapped on Halo.

You do believe in 2nd chances. That's what I love about you!

 

[maxinquaye]

Ride or Die with Heck! The qb with juice is always the better option under Ferentz. Banks, Tate, Stanzi, Beathard, Grono. Its a tale as old as Ferentz

 

[Shawneemicks]

I think Tim told us without telling us it will likely be brown. To start anyway.

 

[Thomas Wolsey]

I’m much more concerned about the prospect of Gaffney and Hubert being rotational guys at defensive tackle than I am either QB starting. I’m hoping there’s a random Lukas Van Ness type on the depth chart that is surprisingly good. As good as Phil is, Iowa had a significant drop off in their ability to stop the run last year and they lost 5 of their main rotational guys up front.

I think the Bryces will be fine, and Buffington in the middle can help, but the other snaps are a concern.

 

[BBK]

I think Tim told us without telling us it will likely be brown. To start anyway.

@TimboSlice

 

[Gushawk]

I think the Bryces will be fine, and Buffington in the middle can help, but the other snaps are a concern.

I'm concerned that Bryce S may just be too fat and slow for this level, but hopefully he proves me wrong. We probably need someone like Fitzgibbon, Kennedy, or Olagbaju step up and surprise (and ideally a couple of them).

I'm also concerned that Cam will be asked to make up for Montgomery's lack of range. Would really like to see Ries or Weiskopf step up and claim that role, but Kirk and Seth love them some experience at LB.

 

[Thomas Wolsey]

I'm concerned that Bryce S may just be too fat and slow for this level, but hopefully he proves me wrong. We probably need someone like Fitzgibbon, Kennedy, or Olagbaju step up and surprise (and ideally a couple of them).

I'm also concerned that Cam will be asked to make up for Montgomery's lack of range. Would really like to see Ries or Weiskopf step up and claim that role, but Kirk and Seth love them some experience at LB.

Agreed on Bryce S. He might be able to hold a spot, but the Iowa defense does best when the can get movement inside

 

[ChipHilton]

I heard him say that with our boy Trent Condom @tcondon today on Kakert's podcast. I'm willing to give ol' Hank another shot after an additional 10 months of prep since his pants shitting disaster against the undefeated national champions, but as they said that is the biggest unknown.

It's extremely hard to fix a pants shitter. It's also hard to judge a gamer by just practice. My guess is both Ferentz and Lester want it to be Hank and are hoping the lights finally come on for him and he can play a game without filling his diaper. From what Lester said, Hecklinski is the gunslinger, but he's packing a Derringer and Hank has a cannon.

Oh, and I listened to @tcondon's podcast as well and he did a mailbag edition. Sorry Trent, but I think most of the people that write in to you with questions might be complete idiots. Some of those questions would lead to them getting slapped on Halo.

It would be convenient if Hank could have a solid year. Heck could then move on after the season and Sullivan, Fitzgerald, Bessinger and Santibanez can battle for the '27 backup role.

 

[CamelTones]

The problem with Hank is even if he’s better, he has to be really fucking good because 98% of the fanbase has already decided it should be Hecklinski and will be miserable anytime he throws an incomplete pass.

 

[KitKatApples]

We all want a mobile QB now

 

[Hawk&Balls]

I would take one in september

 

[BngHawk]

We all want a mobile QB now

Yes

 

[HerkyHopeful]

The problem with Hank is even if he’s better, he has to be really fucking good because 98% of the fanbase has already decided it should be Hecklinski and will be miserable anytime he throws an incomplete pass.

I think decent QB play keeps the fans happy. Does anyone remember how happy we were for a game or so with Brendan Sullivan before we realized he couldn't throw and had questionable decision making?

 

[CurdMan]

Neither guy is going to run even remotely similarly to MG, so give me whoever is the more accurate and on time passer. We saw glimpses towards the end of last season, but I just finally want to see a competent passing attack. I have faith that Lester can scheme his way around a guy who isn’t super mobile. Not sure you can scheme your way out of immobile and lack of accuracy.

 

[Gushawk]

A QB who cannot get off his spot is a major liability in college football. Easily can kill half dozen or more droves per game, often in excruciating fashion. If you aren’t somewhat elusive in the pocket, you have to be an elite processor. I think the former is a lot easier to find than the latter. Kirk probably wants the latter, but his track record of finding them is abysmal. Hope he’s ready to try something else after last year.

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

A QB who cannot get off his spot is a major liability in college football. Easily can kill half dozen or more droves per game, often in excruciating fashion.

This phrase has my ‘bow finger twitching. Seems to be of the “xxxxxx room” vernacular.

 

[Wanderer]

The problem with Hank is even if he’s better, he has to be really fucking good because 98% of the fanbase has already decided it should be Hecklinski and will be miserable anytime he throws an incomplete pass.

The fan base will be happy with wins. Except the assholes that will never be happy.

 

[The Dad]

Wins are about the only things that make me happy.

 

[Lee Beevers]

Wins are about the only things that make me happy.

You were a big Diego Pavia guy if memory serves. Thought he would light up the Hawks.

 

[cloudhawk]

Wins are about the only things that make me happy.

Eh, that's not entirely accurate

 

[ChipHilton]

I think decent QB play keeps the fans happy. Does anyone remember how happy we were for a game or so with Brendan Sullivan before we realized he couldn't throw and had questionable decision making?

Actually, I thought he threw a lot of nice balls. But as soon as he would get lit up while trying to run like Mark Weisman, he became a scatterbrain. Not having him in a goal line package against ISU was malpractice, especially since he was apparently outplaying Cade in camp and they had to have an inkling that Cade just wasn't good.

 

[StinkyMcFadden]

The problem with Hank is even if he’s better, he has to be really fucking good because 98% of the fanbase has already decided it should be Hecklinski and will be miserable anytime he throws an incomplete pass.

No one wants a midget as a QB, do they?

I think we would all love it if Hank wasn't a pants shitting faggot.

 

[Hawk&Balls]

He's alive

 

[cloudhawk]

Has there been any inkling who is really impressing in closed practices...

Put me in the other guys camp until we get a good look