Iowa and UCLA are early favorites for 2026 QB Cash Herrera

San Diego The Bishop’s School quarterback Cash Herrera has double-digit offers as he prepares for his junior season. A trio of IVY League schools have offered the 6-foot-3, 190-pound signal caller and he has offers from schools like Iowa, Minnesota, UCLA, Virginia Tech and Washington State.

A couple of schools Herrera visited in June are early favorites.

“I really like Iowa and UCLA,” Herrera told On3. “They are unreal schools and both have beautiful campuses. I have visited UCLA twice and I saw Iowa for the first time earlier this summer. Both schools stand out to me.”

The school up the road in Los Angeles is doing a great job early.

“I first visited in the spring and it was great to spend time with coach Eric Bieniemy, coach Ted White and DeShaun Foster. They are great coaches and people. It has been fun being around them and they ae very relatable.

“The academics at UCLA speak for themselves and it has always had a great program. I am ready to see what the new staff does. I like the offense coach Bieniemy will run. It is a pro-style offense and he will have quarterbacks prepared for the NFL.”

Living in southern California, Herrera knew what UCLA was about going into his first visit. He didn’t know what to expect at Iowa, but the Hawkeyes didn’t disappoint.

“I was surprised at how much I liked it. It is in a small town where everyone loves the football program. Iowa has a great culture and fan base. I like coach Tim Lester a lot too. He came from the NFL, their offense will do stuff like NFL teams and I like that a lot. Me and coach Lester have a good relationship.”

Herrera will take in his first Iowa game on Sept. 7 when they host Iowa State. He is still planning his next visit to Westwood to see the Bruins in action.

Herrera talks decision timeline and what he is looking for in a school

We have seen many 2026 quarterbacks make decisions before their junior seasons, but Herrera is in no rush.

“I am thinking after the season sometime,” Herrera said. “My growth was tremendous from last year and I am a different person and player. I am better on and off the field and I think I will showcase that this season.”

When the time comes, and Herrera commits, he knows what will be the most important factors.

“I am looking for a school with high standards and culture. Academics are part of it, but most schools are strong in finance and business, so it is not the most important thing. Relationship with the staff, the offense they will run and what would fit me the best all will be important when I commit.”