Blake Corum shares what Iowa can expect from Cade McNamara

Blake Corum is excited to watch former teammate Cade McNamara at Iowa. The former Michigan quarterback transferred in the offseason and is expected to captain the Hawkeyes’ offense.

It’s not that McNamara couldn’t hang at Michigan, but J.J. McCarthy took over. McNamara led Michigan to a Big Ten title and the College Football Playoff in 2021. In the end, it wasn’t meant to be.

But that doesn’t mean the signal caller can’t have a great year in Iowa City.

“He’s a great leader and a great, great human being,” Corum said of McNamara at Big Ten Media Days. “He’s a general at the quarterback position. He’s going to lead Iowa and they are going to win some games. They might turn that thing around from last year.”

Corum referenced Iowa’s offense that sputtered in recent years, especially at the quarterback position.

As the starter in 2021, McNamara threw for 2,576 yards, 15 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 64.2% completion percentage.

He had limited action last year before McCarthy taking over and an injury.

What should help is the addition of tight end Erick All, who also transferred in from Michigan. Maybe that’ll lead to a date with the Wolverines.

“He and Erick got the connection,” Corum said. “Great players, great teammates and they should do some big things. I’m rooting for the best. Hopefully, we both have wonderful seasons and we can meet each other (at Lucas Oil Stadium).”

As a member of the Class of 2019, McNamara was a four-star recruit out of Reno (Nev.) Damonte Ranch, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 13 quarterback in the class and the No. 278 overall prospect in the class.

“We go back a long way,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said of McNamara. “And there’s somebody that went into a game in 2020, we were down 17 points and just started bringing us back right from the minute he went in the game. 

“Got a big hit right before halftime and then you saw, saw the gravel in the gut that he had and brought our team back for an overtime win. And then took off from there. Beat Ohio State, won the Big Ten championship. He’s one of those great Michigan men. Now he’s a Hawkeye, but the love doesn’t change.”