Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara is transferring

IOWA CITY — Cade McNamara’s once-promising era in Iowa may be over.

For the second time in his college career, McNamara will enter the transfer portal, he announced Wednesday.

McNamara shared a message on social media:

“My last two years at the University of Lowa have been an incredible journey. Despite so many ups and downs, I couldn’t be more grateful for the amazing people and experiences I’ve had here. I am deeply grateful for the relationships I have built with my teammates, coaches and newfound friends.

“I would like to give a special thank you to Coach Ferentz, Coach Lester and the entire Lowa Football team for their unwavering support and wisdom. I will truly miss this program and this state, and they will always hold a special place in my heart.”

“With that being said, I will be entering the transfer portal.

“I’m looking forward to this offseason, being the healthiest I’ve been in years, and continuing to develop as a player, leader and person. I’m excited to see where God takes my football journey next.”

“Now and forever, Go Hawks!”

More:How many Iowa football players are in the transfer portal? A complete list (so far)

McNamara is the latest Hawkeye to leave the program during the season, joining other notable offensive players Kaleb Brown and Leshon Williams. This trio, expected to play key roles on offense entering the 2024 season, did not perform as expected.

McNamara, who started college in 2019, could receive another year of eligibility. His career was riddled with injuries and he also played during the COVID-19 shortened season.

After committing to Iowa through the transfer portal in 2022, there was optimism that McNamara would be able to solve the Hawkeyes’ quarterback issues. McNamara led the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff in 2021.

But his career at Iowa fell far short of expectations.

In two tumultuous seasons with the Hawkeyes, McNamara appeared in games and threw for 1,522 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 57.3% completion rate.

Because McNamara had overcome a season-ending injury in his final season at Michigan, his first appearance with the Hawkeyes didn’t last long. After playing through a quadriceps problem, McNamara suffered a season-ending ACL injury in his fifth game at Iowa. His 2023 season ended shortly after it began. Iowa still picked up 10 wins that season and reached the Big Ten Championship Game thanks to dominant defensive and special teams units.

After suffering his second straight season-ending injury, Hope was more cautious heading into the 2024 season, but there was still hope.

Another wrinkle has been thrown into the story. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr served self-imposed one-game suspensions in the Hawkeyes’ season opener against Illinois State due to possible NCAA violations related to recruiting McNamara through the transfer portal.

That set the stage for a disappointing 2024 season. McNamara had more problems than highlights. He was just 13 of 29 passing in Iowa’s rivalry loss to Iowa State. He committed three turnovers in the second half against Ohio State. Fans’ impatience with McNamara grew.

Before Iowa’s game against Northwestern in late October, the plan was for McNamara to start but back up Brendan Sullivan to get a chance to run the show as well. As it turned out, McNamara suffered a concussion against the Wildcats and Sullivan took over for the rest of the game, leading the Hawkeyes to a win.

The last pass McNamara threw as a Hawkeye turned out to be a pick-six against Northwestern.

McNamara did not play for the remainder of the year and missed the final four games of the regular season. Meanwhile, Iowa’s quarterback carousel continued to spin. In his second start at Iowa, Brendan Sullivan left with an injury against UCLA, forcing preferred backup Jackson Stratton into the game. Stratton also started Iowa’s final two games of the regular season.

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