Brendan Sullivan, formerly of Northwestern, pledges his commitment to the Iowa Hawkeyes as a transfer quarterback.
This addition is significant for Iowa, as it addresses the team’s need for depth and experience in the quarterback room. With Sullivan on board, Iowa now boasts three scholarship quarterbacks on campus, a number that will increase to four once incoming recruit James Resar arrives this summer.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 225 pounds, Sullivan brings a wealth of experience to the table. He has appeared in 13 games over his career, starting eight of them during his time at Northwestern. Last season, he led the Wildcats to a 2-2 record as their starting quarterback, showcasing his skills with a standout performance against Maryland, where he threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns while adding 56 rushing yards.
Throughout his career, Sullivan has demonstrated efficiency and versatility, completing 68.7% of his passes for 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns, along with three rushing touchdowns. His arrival bolsters an Iowa quarterback room that already includes former Michigan transfer Cade McNamara and 2023 signee Marco Lainez.
McNamara, who began the 2023 season as Iowa’s starting quarterback, faced setbacks due to injuries, including a torn ACL early in the season. Despite these challenges, he showed promise with 505 passing yards, four touchdowns, and a 51.1% completion rate.
Lainez, the other scholarship quarterback for Iowa, has limited experience, making just one appearance in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl loss to Tennessee. However, with Sullivan’s addition, the Hawkeyes gain valuable depth and competition at the quarterback position, which is crucial for new offensive coordinator Tim Lester’s plans.
As Iowa prepares for the upcoming season, the acquisition of Sullivan underscores their commitment to strengthening their roster and maximizing their potential on the field. With a talented trio of quarterbacks in Sullivan, McNamara, and Lainez, the Hawkeyes are poised to make waves in the competitive landscape of college football.