IOWA CITY, Iowa — Quarterback Deacon Hill, who started nine games for Iowa last year, has entered the transfer portal with two years available, he announced Tuesday via Instagram.
Here’s what former Iowa QB Deacon Hill wrote when announcing he was entering the transfer portal. pic.twitter.com/XiPBIexCB4
–Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) April 23, 2024
Hill, an incoming junior, was thrust into action last September when original Iowa starter Cade McNamara suffered a torn ACL early in the team’s fifth game against Michigan State. Hill presided over the Hawkeyes’ offense for the remainder of the season, which ended with a 10-4 record and a Big Ten West division title.
Last fall, the Hawkeyes finished last in the nation on offense with 234.6 yards per game. The second lowest belonged to Eastern Michigan with 262.8 yards per game. In fact, Iowa’s production was the lowest of any Big Ten team since Northwestern (230.2) in 1984.
Aside from former offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, whose contract was not renewed, no one beyond Hill (6-foot-3, 258 pounds) has taken more responsibility and spotlight for the team’s offensive woes. Iowa. Hill completed 48.6 percent of his passes for 1,152 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions last year.
Hill had 11 fumbles and lost six, including at least one lost fumble in Iowa’s four losses. The Hawkeyes were shut out in their final two games last year.
In a statement, Hill thanked his former coaches and teammates. He added: “Iowa, you gave me one of the best years of my life. I have built some of the most important relationships of my life and I am forever grateful.
Hill transferred to Iowa in the spring of 2023 after two seasons at Wisconsin.
With McNamara still rehabbing his left knee, Hill and redshirt freshman Marco Lainez III were the only scholarship quarterbacks available to lead new offensive coordinator Tim Lester’s offense this spring. Hill worked primarily with the first team, while Lainez took snaps with the second and third units.
With the arrival of freshman James Resar from Jacksonville, Fla., in June, the Hawkeyes will have three quarterbacks available for summer workouts. There’s a good chance Iowa drafts another quarterback from the transfer portal to compete with McNamara and Lainez during training camp.
“We’ll do whatever we can to help our team,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of signing players into the portal. “If an interesting opportunity presents itself, we will consider it.”
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(Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski/USA Today)