Anonymous opposing coach shares concerns of pressure on Cade McNamara

The pressure is on former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara to perform with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

McNamara joined Kirk Ferentz’s squad via the NCAA Transfer Portal during the offseason, and many believe he can bring a new dynamic to a team that’s been starved for production on that side of the football. However, a layer of added pressure will accompany the quarterback’s new scenery, and that’s not being lost on other coaches.

At least one anonymous coach has concerns, as they’ve spoken with Athlon to share concerns of how the freshly minted Iowa quarterback will handle the pressure.

Click HERE to purchase the entire Athlon magazine for the 2023 college football season

“We’re all anxious to see how they address those contract stipulations on the offensive coordinator and what they can actually get done. They portaled out a lot of their best offensive players, which is a really scary situation when you’re that bad to begin with, and it puts a stupid amount of pressure on the transfer QB (Cade McNamara) to make something happen,” explained the anonymous coach. “Whatever you think of Cade, he’s not going to have the same kind of weapons he did at Michigan.”

That’s a pretty salient point about McNamara going from Michigan’s awesome offense to Iowa’s anemic group. However, perhaps McNamara will be the key to unlocking their potential, as he’ll bring experience and talent to the group.

He certainly has a believer in college football analyst Greg McElroy, who loves the fit of the former Michigan quarterback with the Hawkeyes.

“This is a bird in the hand type of pick for me,” McElroy said on Always College Football.“Some people don’t necessarily love the upside. I personally love that he’s going to be pushed into an offense that is about ball control, but he has at times put the team on his back but he needs a good solid run game. He needs a good supporting cast. 

“Both those things are a little bit up in the air with Iowa based on what they did last year. However, I do think he’s probably the best Iowa quarterback that’s suited up in quite a while, it’s been a minute since they’ve had a guy that has played this much football and high level football.” 

Nothing is going to be guaranteed for Cade McNamara at Iowa, as he learned that in Ann Arbor, but the Hawkeyes are feeling great with him as their quarterback for 2023.