Good Health News for Iowa Starting QB Cade McNamara

It wasn't the season that quarterback Cade McNamara thought it would be. The Michigan transfer was a big boost to the Iowa offense heading into 2023. But a torn ACL shelved McNamara for the remainder of the season and the Iowa offense sputtered the rest of the way. Iowa fans can breathe a bit easier.

Hawk Central reports that Iowa's starting quarterback is healthy and fully cleared for all football activities. In an interview at a charity event this weekend McNamara stated that he has been fully cleared. "Football-wise, running-wise, conditioning. Everything." It is certainly welcome news for Hawkeye football fans who still suffer PTSD from how badly the offense performed under quarterback Deacon Hill.

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Iowa's seeming lack of options at the quarterback position last season caused the Hawkeyes to look for help this season, even with a healthy McNamara back under center. Hawk Central reports that Iowa added Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan, who started eight games for the Wildcats. But make no mistake. McNamara will be your starter for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa has also undergone changes on the offensive coaching staff this offseason. Hawk Central reports that former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester enters as the new offensive coordinator. Jon Budmayr was promoted to the position of wide receivers coach. A new offensive strategy with a healthy McNamara back at quarterback has Iowa fans, well, hopeful for what the offensive just might look like this year.

McNamara tells Hawk Central he's just happy to be back out there with his teammates. "I’m fully with the team as far as conditions reps, conditioning time, rollouts, everything. I’ve been doing everything."