IOWA CITY, Iowa—All eyes are on Iowa starting quarterback Cade McNamara as the season approaches. The former Michigan Wolverine and Big Ten champion didn’t have much opportunity to show his abilities last year due to a series of injuries. Now, McNamara, a key figure in the 2022 winter transfer portal, is eager to return to the field and demonstrate his talent.
“It’s tough—being a competitor and a quarterback, you understand the impact you can make on a team,” McNamara said about dealing with his setbacks. “Sitting on the sidelines, there’s nothing you can do. As a leader, you have to be out there leading. It was hard for many reasons. I definitely wanted to be out there with my teammates.”
Discussing Iowa’s previous offensive struggles is a well-trodden topic. It remains a major storyline for the team as they head into the 2024 season. Notably, the Hawkeyes will have a completely new offensive scheme under Tim Lester, and McNamara has been collaborating well with him early on.
“I can tell he really cares about the players, our views on the offense, and how we think it can be improved,” McNamara added. “Whether it’s adjusting a route depth or introducing a new concept, starting from scratch is exciting. Coach Lester has been very open and honest with us.”
McNamara is expected to be the starter when Iowa opens the season against Illinois State on August 31. Although Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz added former Northwestern starting quarterback Brendan Sullivan to the roster this summer, McNamara’s experience gives him the advantage.
“We played against him here a couple of years ago in December and saw him all season on film, so we have great respect for him as a player and competitor,” Ferentz said. “Unfortunately, our fans and media haven’t seen him play at full speed in an Iowa uniform yet. I’m eager to see him perform this year. No one is more eager than he is, and hopefully, he’s not too eager.”
CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd discussed on CBS Sports HQ which Big Ten players need to prove themselves during fall camp, and McNamara made the list due to his recent injuries. You can view the full video embedded above.
