Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said Friday the Hawkeyes will continue allowing their open quarterback competition to unfold during fall camp, with no starter yet identified ahead of the season opener.
Ferentz met with reporters ahead of Saturday’s Kids Day open practice at Kinnick Stadium and addressed the team’s most scrutinized position battle.
“Starting out offense, obviously, the biggest question is at quarterback I’m sure. Basically, as I said back in Chicago, we’re going to let this thing play out. All the guys are competing well right now. The three oldest guys obviously have the biggest edge. Pretty much we’ve been splitting the reps pretty evenly between the two top guys and then (Jimmy) Sullivan’s getting some work as well,” Ferentz said.
The primary contenders are fourth-year quarterback Hank Brown and third-year signal-caller Jeremy Hecklinski. Both joined the program through the transfer portal before the 2025 season. Brown arrived from Auburn as a 6-foot-4, 218-pound prospect, while Hecklinski came from Wake Forest listed at 5-foot-11 and 201 pounds.
Ferentz emphasized equal opportunity remains the priority as the staff evaluates performance under varying conditions.
“Just trying to give everybody equal exposure, give them a chance to get some quality work and we’re just going to keep watching, see how the guys do, how they react to different situations as they come up in camp. We’ve got time on our side, so that’s really our plan is to let it play out. If something becomes really apparent at some point, we’ll make a decision, but otherwise we’re just going to let it play out and let the guys compete. And it really mirrors a lot of positions on our team right now. The interest level’s always a little bit higher at the quarterback position,” he added.
The approach echoes comments Ferentz made at Big Ten media days in late July. At that time, he made clear the decision timeline remained flexible.
“Bottom line is this: right now we don’t know the answer. I can only tell you we’ll know the answer when we know it. Hopefully sometime in August that will become apparent. It may be in-season. Can’t rule out any possibilities,” Ferentz said.
He also expressed satisfaction with the progress shown by the group after more than a year in the program.
“The bottom line is we don’t really know who our starter is at this point, but are really pleased with the guys that are competing and the growth they’ve shown in the program now a year-plus. That part’s good.”
Brown saw limited action in 2025, completing 11 of 21 passes for 107 yards with one touchdown and one interception across three games. He began the year as the primary backup before sharing that role later. Over his full college career, including two seasons at Auburn where he started two games in 2024, Brown has completed 45 of 73 passes for 642 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
Hecklinski appeared in two games last season, completing both of his pass attempts for eight yards. His only previous college snaps came in one appearance at Wake Forest against North Carolina in 2024.
Sullivan, a younger option in the room, has received some practice repetitions but trails the two veterans in the hierarchy, according to Ferentz.
Iowa opens the 2026 season at home against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5. The Hawkeyes have roughly three weeks of camp remaining to clarify the depth chart, though Ferentz has left open the possibility the competition could extend into the regular season.
Both Brown and Hecklinski spent last year developing behind the previous starter while learning the offense installed by coordinator Tim Lester. Their second year in the system has produced noticeable improvement, Ferentz said, even as neither has seized a decisive advantage.
The quarterback question sits atop a list of unresolved roster details as Iowa prepares for a Big Ten schedule. Ferentz noted similar competition exists at other positions, though public attention remains focused on the signal-callers.
Practice time continues to be divided carefully to ensure each candidate gains meaningful work against both the first- and second-team defenses. Coaches will monitor decision-making, accuracy and leadership in situational drills that intensify as camp progresses.
Kids Day on Saturday offered fans and media a rare public glimpse of the ongoing battle during an open session at Kinnick Stadium. Ferentz has repeatedly stressed patience, citing the value of extended evaluation before locking in a starter.
Iowa’s offense will rely on continuity elsewhere, particularly in the backfield and along the line, while the quarterback position settles. For now, Brown, Hecklinski and Sullivan remain in the mix, with the staff committed to letting performances dictate the outcome.
Ferentz’s measured stance reflects a program tradition of thorough internal competition rather than early declarations. Whether a clear leader emerges in the coming practices or the decision waits longer, the coach has made the process transparent.
The Hawkeyes will keep monitoring reactions under pressure and consistency in the passing game as the calendar moves toward the Northern Illinois matchup.
Until a choice becomes obvious, equal opportunity remains the guiding principle inside the Iowa quarterback room.
