It was a tight competition, but sophomore Nathan Stanley will be the quarterback taking the field when Iowa opens its season against Wyoming on Saturday.
Stanley won the job after coaches could not determine a winnerthroughout spring and fall camps.
This is the second time Stanley has beaten out Tyler Wiegers; he earned the position to back up C.J. Beathard last season. In limited action, Stanley completed 5-of-9 attempts for 62 yards.
“[Stanley] beat [Wiegers] out [last season],” head coach Kirk Ferentzsaid a week before Stanley was officially named the starter. “We had to make a decision there, too, and that was a close decision. It’s just the way it works. Every year, you evaluate differently and let guys compete. Last year, Nate was slightly ahead of Tyler.”
After thoroughly outplaying Wiegers on Kids’ Day, it seemed as if Stanley was destined to get the starting nod, but Ferentz made a point to judge the whole body of work instead of just one showing.
Still, the true sophomore came out on top.
A three-star recruit, according to 247 Sports, Stanley has impressed people since he set foot in Iowa City.
RELATED: Stanley shines at Kids’ Day
Strength and condition coach Chris Doyle raved about the Menomonie, Wisconsin, native’s maturity and growth at the team’s media day.
“Nate’s really competitive,” Doyle said. “He comes from a background where he really has a good understanding of competition and working every day. He’s mature beyond his years … One thing for sure, Nate Stanley, he really is a mature guy that comes to work every day, no drama, focused; really impressive guy to see in our facility and on the practice fields.”
While he has impressed coaches enough to earn the starting job, Stanley has a tall task in front of him.
The departure of Greg Davis leaves Stanley with the need to acclimate himself to the new playbook and scheme of offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz.
The return of Ken O’Keefe as the QB coach also gives Stanley a new coach to work with; Davis had also played that role in addition to his duties as offensive coordinator.
It’s not only Stanley who has to learn something new, though. The whole offense has to figure out the ins and outs of a different situation.
“It’s been tough, but the whole team, we’re just trying to learn it right now and execute the plays that we have in, and then install some more, so we’re ready for the first game,” Stanley said at Iowa’s media day.
Stanley may be the most notable, but he isn’t the only Hawkeye set to make his first start this weekend.
Many of Stanley’s pass catchers will see their first action of the 2017 season in a new role.
Sophomore Devonte Young and Iowa Western transfer Nick Easley cracked the depth chart at wide receiver, and Easley will play in his first Division-1 football game.
Tight ends Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson also made the list. While Fant got quite of bit of action last year, Hockenson is set to see his first bit of action after redshirting in 2016.
After returning many players a season before, having new faces in the lineup is relatively different for the Hawkeyes, but they’re up for the challenge.
“It’s like every year; every time you start a new season, you have new challenges, new opportunities,” Ferentz said. “It’s a different equation, certainly than any other year, and the trick is to put it all together. That’s the beauty of college football in my mind. It’s probably why it’s such a popular sport with the fans. We’re only a week into it, as I mentioned. I think thus far, we’re pleased with what we’ve seen from our newcomers.”