As the Iowa Hawkeyes get set to take on Northern Illinois to start their season, it comes with a bit of quarterback uncertainty still.
Before the game it was announced that Hank Brown will be the starter, but he doesn’t necessarily have the job secured.
NEW: Iowa will start Hank Brown at QB against NIU, @PeteNakos reports
— On3 (@On3) September 5, 2026
Both Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski will play in the Hawkeyes’ opener.https://t.co/RNms6eOoSu pic.twitter.com/RA99aKYrQg
If Brown plays well he can be the quarterback who establishes himself as the starter for the future. If he struggles, Iowa has a clear other option already in place.
It was announced that while Brown will start, Jeremy Hecklinski will also see playing time. While Hecklinski doesn’t have the experience that Brown has, he does have the electric passing ability. So if Brown struggles, Hecklinski could end end stealing the job away.
Overall, this competition will be decided in this game by the quarterback who makes Iowa’s offense more unpredictable.
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!