Kirk Ferentz offers health update on Iowa's roster

After wrapping up spring practices, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is feeling pretty good about the overall health of his team. As far as he can tell, no one should be out or dealing with anything major by the time fall camp rolls around.

And outside of a few guys recovering from knee injuries that need some more time before getting fully back — including quarterback Cade McNamara — Ferentz is hopeful most of his players will be fully healthy by June or July.

“The good news, I guess, is we have certain guys that were never out there this spring and those guys will be fine by June,” Ferentz said. “And the guys that were injured this spring, it’s been mostly soft tissue. We had one little repair, ligament in the thumb, but he’ll be going in June, too.”

The overall health picture being so rosy should be a big help for the Hawkeyes as they seek to build new offensive continuity after an injury-plagued 2023.

“So yeah, as we stand here right now we’re in pretty good shape, outside of the knee injuries,” Ferentz said. “They’ll take a little longer.”

McNamara is in a good spot in his rehab, Ferentz said

Hopes were high when McNamara transferred to Iowa last offseason, serving as a beacon of hope to help a struggling Hawkeyes’ offense. But those hopes were crushed when McNamara went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 5 last season.

McNamara returns this season as he continues to put the finishing touches on his rehab and recovery after tearing his ACL. And following Iowa spring practice, Ferentz provided an update on his presumed starting quarterback.

“I think he’s doing really well, he’s throwing the ball well,” Ferentz said. “He can’t drop back, roll out, all that stuff but he’s throwing the ball well.”

McNamara could be seen in a jersey, helmet, and knee brace throwing passes during spring practice, but is still not fully cleared to be a full-time participant. But regardless, with new offensive coordinator Tim Lester now calling the plays for Iowa’s offense, there’s plenty for McNamara to learn.

“I think he’s been into it 100%,” Ferentz added. “Maybe in some ways it’s easier for him because he’s not practicing so he can just process things mentally, doesn’t have to worry about the physical aspect as much. But he’s an eager guy, most quarterbacks I’ve been around that are good quarterbacks can’t wait to learn something and that certainly seems to be his mode of operation. So he’s done a good job and it’ll be really important when he is able to go, which should be in June.

Deacon Hill took over the reins of Iowa’s offense last season following McNamara’s injury. But with Hill entering the transfer portal following spring practices, there’s no question that McNamara will have to hit the ground running when he is fully cleared in June.

“Then he can start implementing some of the stuff that he’s been exposed to and certainly August is going to be a really big month for him. But I think if there’s a silver lining, my experience is at least guys that have played, it’s a little bit easier for them when they get started again. It comes back quicker than a guy who hasn’t played,” Ferentz explained. “Every situation has its own challenges but we’re optimistic he’ll be ready to go should be able to catch up pretty quickly once we get going.”