Iowa QB Cade McNamara is entering the transfer portal after two seasons with the Hawkeyes

Cade McNamara is looking for a third school to continue his college football career.

The former Michigan and Iowa QB announced Wednesday that he is entering the transfer portal after two seasons with the Hawkeyes. He has one season of eligibility remaining, as he had an extra year of eligibility during the COVID-19-affected 2020 season and played in fewer than four games two seasons later.

McNamara opened the 2023 season as Iowa’s starting quarterback, but suffered a season-ending torn ACL five games into the season. He recovered in time to be Iowa’s Week 1 starter again, but suffered a concussion against Northwestern on October 26. He hasn’t played for the Hawkeyes since then, as Brendan Sullivan – a transfer from Northwestern – took over as Iowa’s top quarterback.

McNamara came to Iowa after three seasons with the Wolverines. After playing in 14 games in 2021, McNamara appeared in three games in 2022 as he lost his starting spot to JJ McCarthy.

This 2021 season was McNamara’s best in his five college football seasons. He completed 210 of 327 passes for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns with just six interceptions. In 13 games at Iowa, McNamara completed 150 of 262 passes for 1,522 yards and 10 touchdowns with eight interceptions. His last pass with the Hawkeyes was a pick-6, and he caused three turnovers in Iowa’s loss to Ohio State with an interception and two fumbles.

It’s been a disappointing two years for McNamara and Iowa after the school violated NCAA rules in recruiting him. Kirk Ferentz and an assistant coach both served self-imposed one-game suspensions at the start of the 2024 season for improperly contacting McNamara during his time at Michigan before the transfer portal opened.