C.J. Beathard

Iowa’s quarterback competition/controversy dragged into the regular season last year, limiting both Beathard and Jake Rudock’s values during a tough season for the Hawkeyes. Beathard got the start in Iowa’s bowl game, however, and Rudock saw the writing on the wall and transferred to Michigan. Now that Beathard has taken over the starting quarterback job, he’ll be tasked with vindicating coach Kirk Ferentz’s decision to give him the keys to the offense. Last year’s sample size (52-for-92, 645 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions) is too small to accurately predict how Beathard will as the full-time starter this season, so let’s examine his skillset and surrounding cast. Beathard adds some mobility, as evidenced by his 156 yards on 28 attempts (5.57 YPC) last season. He won’t have Brandon Scherff to protect his blind side, but Beathard should have three returning starters on the O-Line to protect him. Wideout Tevaun Smith looks poised to emerge as a true No. 1 receiver for Beathard, however, so those two could be a tandem to watch. Some less promising news is the status of tight end Jake Duzey, who finished third on the team in receptions (36) and receiving yards (392) last year. Duzey is questionable to start the year due to a spring knee injury, and it’s possible that he might miss multiple games.