Kirk Ferentz shares how Cade McNamara has overcome adversity

The Iowa Hawkeyes will kickoff their 2023 season against Utah State in Week 1. But after a recent injury to starting quarterback Cade McNamara, his status for the team’s season opener is up in the air, and that could make for a shaky start to the year.

McNamara has been battling through much of his collegiate career, from his days as a Michigan Wolverine to now, proving that he is one of the better quarterbacks in college football today. And according to Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, that natural competitive spirit of his is what will help McNamara bounce back from his injury quickly.

“He’s just wired that way. It’s natural. He’s a very competitive guy; he’s a very positive guy and very strong-willed,” said Ferentz. “Going back to the nature part, I always felt like you can only do so much. Like if you got a broken bone, it’s gotta heal. I totally get that.

“But from my experiences with guys, mental toughness really helps guys get back to the field faster. And some are more wired that way than others. So that’s certainly not something he’s lacking, and there’s no question he wants to be out there.”

McNamara transferred to Iowa in the offseason after spending the first three years of his college career at Michigan. He led the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship and a College Football Playoff berth as the starting quarterback in 2021 but was bested by J.J. McCarthy for the starting job in 2022.

With the Wolverines, McNamara was controlled and poised in the pocket, throwing for 3,181 yards, 21 passing touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while completing 63.1 percent of his pass attempts.

Ferentz ‘optimistic’ about Cade McNamara’s chances to start Week 1

Ferentz also shared on Wednesday that despite the injury, he expects McNamara back in practice by the end of the week. With that being the case, he’s also hopeful for McNamara to be practicing during the first week of game prep. If that all holds up, then Ferentz thinks McNamara can be good to go to start for Iowa in Week 1.

“We’ll know more at the end of the week but I’m really optimistic and we’ll see,” Ferentz said.

McNamara hurt his right leg during an Iowa practice on Aug. 12, eventually walking off under his own power and heading up the tunnel with trainers.

Ferentz later described it as a “muscle issue,” indicating it wouldn’t hold back McNamara’s long-term outlook this season.

On Wednesday, Ferentz is still optimistic about that being the case.

“The bad news is he’s not practicing like you’d expect week three of camp but the good news is, I think he very realistically has a chance to start working in end of this week, certainly next Monday when we hit the field thinking about our opponent. So, you know, hopefully that’s the case,” Ferentz said.