When Iowa football released its official depth chart on Monday, Hawkeye faithfuls were greeted with a welcome sight: Cade McNamara as QB1.
After missing two weeks due to a soft tissue injury he suffered at an open practice on Aug. 12, the Michigan transfer returned to the practice field over the weekend.
“I mean, honestly, I’ve been progressing every single day,” McNamara told reporters at media availability Tuesday. “I’m just really excited to get out there with my teammates.”
But the Reno, Nevada, native didn’t answer whether he will play in the Hawkeyes’ season opener against the Utah State Aggies at 11 a.m. in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.
McNamara instead deferred the decision to Iowa coaches and medical staff. McNamara clarified that he has been participating in “a majority” of practice.
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz was also unclear about McNamara’s status for Saturday, saying the 23-year-old was “medically cleared … but [we] can’t put a percentage on where he’s at.”
Even though he was on the sidelines for some time, McNamara still made his presence felt by coaching and encouraging his teammates. The quarterback was one of four captains named for the season-opening contest against Utah State on Sept. 2.
Ferentz said if McNamara couldn’t play, it would be “fair to say” backup QB Deacon Hill would make the start. Ferentz also didn’t rule out McNamara playing some of the game in an emergency.
Hill, a Wisconsin transfer, took first-team reps during McNamara’s absence while third-string passer Joe Labas worked with the backups.
Accelerating against the Aggies
Just two years ago, Utah State finished atop the Mountain West Mountain Division with an 11-3 overall record.
In 2022, the Aggies stumbled to a 6-7 mark. Utah State was marred by injuries to their QB room, and no quarterback threw for more than 1,500 yards.
After plenty of losses to the transfer portal this offseason and the departure of leading rusher Calvin Tyler to the NFL, Utah State now holds 39 new players on its roster.
Even with the roster turnover, the Aggies return five defensive starters and four offensive starters from last season. These starters include linebacker MJ Tafisi Jr., who piled up 8.5 sacks in his last campaign, and safety Ike Larsen, who snagged four picks in 2022.
Hawkeye starting center Logan Jones is well aware of Utah State’s capabilities on the defensive line, pointing out defensive tackles Sir Mells and Poukesi Vakauta as physical, high-motor opponents with “disruptive play.”
Protecting the quarterback and facilitating the run game will be key for Jones and the rest of the Hawkeye O-line as they look to grow from a 2022 season hampered by inexperience and growing pains. This season, the unit has just one underclassmen starter in right tackle Gennings Dunker, who’s been described by Jones as a “ginormous dude” who “wants to hit people.”
While Jones said he is comfortable with whomever he lines up with on the line, teammate and starting left tackle Mason Richman is more reassured of the group’s fundamentals. For Richman, mastering the basics will allow the Hawkeye O-line to “have a response” for any defensive front the Aggies throw their way.
Iowa starting receiver Nico Ragaini was also cognizant of Utah State’s tendency to press slot pass-catchers off the line of scrimmage but was confident in his ability to adjust.
“That’s when I’ll have to get shifty in there, make my moves, and find the guy who I really want to run the route on,” Ragaini said Tuesday.
Fellow starting wideout Diante Vines was equally confident in the WR group’s talents but also his individual improvement. Vines explained how he cut out Spicy Nacho Doritos in favor of asparagus in his diet, flexing his bicep when asked to elaborate on the effects of the switch.
Hawkeye defensive end Joe Evans noted the Aggies have an up-tempo offense but nothing that the Iowa “D” can’t adapt to.
“Just getting the play call and getting lined up correctly, that’s a big challenge,” Evans said Tuesday. “Just being ready to go at the conditioning level, and I’ll think we’ll be ready to go. We practice at a very, very high level.”