Spring’s Over, the QB Battle Isn’t: Takeaways From Iowa’s Open Practice at Kinnick
The Hawkeyes are still searching for their starter at QB after the spring practice period ends.
Iowa quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski (10) signs autographs for fans April 25, 2026 after the team’s spring practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The grass at Kinnick has officially soaked up the last spring rep of 2026. Iowa wrapped its 15-practice spring slate with an open session for fans on Saturday morning, and the headlines coming out of it are the ones we expected: the quarterback battle is going to August.
A sophomore receiver might be the biggest reason that’s not a problem. The defensive line is a question mark. And somewhere in the middle of the second-team scrimmage, a 200-pound true freshman DB from Michigan started introducing himself to anyone within ten yards of the football.
Let’s get into it. The QB Battle: Hecklinski Edges, Brown Lurks, Ferentz Shrugs This is the headline. It was always going to be the headline.
With Mark Gronowski in Miami chasing a UDFA roster spot, Iowa’s QB1 job is the most important uncertainty on the roster, and Saturday at Kinnick gave us our cleanest look yet at the two finalists. Jeremy Hecklinski took the first-team reps and finished an unofficial 10-of-22 for 99 yards in 11-on-11 work, not counting red zone drills. The “gunslinger” reputation showed up in the form of a couple of tight-window throws on the run, including a perfectly placed dart down the seam to KJ Parker.
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