IOWA CITY, IA – Although the veteran quarterback is just entering his second season with the Hawkeyes, he is already at the center of intense competition for the starting position as fall practice begins.
Cade McNamara arrived in Iowa City with a lot of hype, having led Michigan to a Big Ten title and a playoff berth in 2021. Hawkeye fans wanted McNamara to continue his magic in a black and yellow jersey, but his 2023 season was disappointing.
After all, he threw three interceptions in Iowa’s first three games and suffered a season-ending knee injury against Michigan State. McNamara’s road to recovery wasn’t easy either, but he persevered. Now the Nevada native is in a three-way battle with Brendan Sullivan and Marco Lainez for the leadership of Tim Lester’s offense.
Being involved in training full-time is helping McNamara get back into the swing of things, and he just wants to keep improving.
“I think it feels really good to be back on the field. I even had butterflies in my stomach for the first time,” McNamara said. “It’s been so long since I’ve had that and that’s what reminds me how much you love the game.”
Despite having to learn three different offenses over the past four years, he’s relying on his experience and leadership skills in August. McNamara’s performance in last Saturday’s Kids Day practice game raised some concerns, as he barely managed to pull away from Sullivan.
Now, everything on campus is about the quarterback room. Lester has options with all three signal-callers, but playing with them could potentially paint a bad picture for the offense. McNamara knows that securing the job comes with a lot of responsibility, and it helps that there is respect within the unit.
“I think our chemistry is just growing, and there’s a special connection with the quarterbacks because we know how difficult that position is,” he said. “We have to make adjustments, call the plays, and as a quarterback, you have to know where all 11 guys are going, and the guys on the other side of the ball, too.”
Lester’s offense gives quarterbacks a lot of freedom at the line of scrimmage, and it will be up to McNamara to take advantage of his plays. From chemistry with receivers to recognizing different defensive coverages, McNamara will look to prove he’s the best option for Lester. Sullivan also has valuable Big Ten experience, having thrown for 1,303 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions over the past two seasons at Northwestern.
However, McNamara is a proven winner at a high level. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound player has a certain advantage because of his familiarity with quarterback controversies and new plays.
“I’ve learned three or four different types of offense since I was in college, so this is nothing new to me,” the 24-year-old said. “I think it’s great for the guys how much knowledge our entire offense has gained in the last few months.”
The next two weeks will tell Iowa fans everything about how far McNamara has come in Lester’s offense. He’s currently No. 1 in the rankings, but keeping the top spot is crucial. McNamara also needs to stay healthy, and his ability to move in the pocket to keep plays alive should serve him well.
The new technology that will be used on the sidelines this fall intrigues McNamara, and he plans to take full advantage of it. From being able to communicate with coaches before games in his own helmet to the use of iPads to the introduction of the two-minute warning, college football will become more exciting in McNamara’s eyes.
“It’s a game changer, it’s almost like information overload, but on game day it makes for much clearer communication.”
