Hank Brown Named Iowa Hawkeyes Starting QB, Embraces Full-Time Football Focus

Iowa City, IA — Hank Brown is officially the Iowa Hawkeyes' starting quarterback, and he's treating the job like the full-time profession it has become. The fourth-year college signal-caller earned the QB1 spot through a combination of classroom diligence and relentless preparation, a path that now allows him to dedicate nearly all his energy to football.

Brown, who transferred from Auburn University, graduated from the University of Iowa last May with a degree in enterprise leadership. With two years of athletic eligibility remaining, he stays enrolled as a non-degree seeking student, carrying just a light load of online classes. That academic strategy, developed during his underclassman years, is paying off on the field.

How Brown's Classroom Work Ethic Opened the Door

While at Auburn, Brown took summer classes to lighten his fall schedule, a habit that carried over to Iowa. By front-loading his coursework, he created the flexibility to focus almost entirely on football during the season.

“When I was at Auburn, I would take classes in the summer and the way they would do it is you could take classes in the summer so you could lighten your load in the fall,” Brown said. “My first few years I would take classes year-round, cause you're there all summer so why not take some classes.”

That approach mirrors what two of Brown's predecessors did. Mark Gronowski followed the same path at Iowa last season, and Peyton Thorne did it at Auburn. Now Brown is reaping the benefits, spending most of his extra time in the film room or the team facility.

Preparing Like a Professional

Brown's preparation goes far beyond the typical college routine. He studies the playbook relentlessly, meets regularly with offensive coordinator Tim Lester, and breaks down each week's opponent in painstaking detail.

“You got to actually learn your playbook if you want to play in this offense,” said Iowa wide receiver Tony Diaz.

Brown agrees, noting the pace of a game week demands total commitment.

“The week moves fast. From Sunday to Wednesday night is kind of our workdays and busy days to be able to pack everything in, you got to be on your P's and Q's,” Brown said.

His sessions with Lester are where Brown says he learns the most, gaining insight into not just what plays are called but why they are called.

“Why a play is in for this, and I get to see them kind of break it down,” Brown said.

College Football as a Full-Time Job

Brown acknowledges that the landscape of college football has changed. With guaranteed five years of eligibility and evolving rules, players can now treat the sport more like a career.

“College football is almost becoming like a job at this point,” Brown said. “It's getting closer and closer to the NFL at this point.”

That professional mindset showed in the CyHawk game, when Brown guided the Hawkeyes down the field in the final drive to set up a field goal attempt. His calm demeanor under pressure earned praise from his teammates.

“He was just saying stay calm. He's a great leader,” Diaz said. “Any time he talks, you feel good.”

First Test: Michigan in the Big House

Brown's first official start as the Hawkeyes' QB1 comes Saturday against a top 20 opponent at Michigan. Playing in the Big House presents one of the toughest environments in college football, and Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz knows his quarterback will be tested.

“(Brown's) probably the most critical because he plays the position that impacts a lot of things and has got a lot on his plate,” Ferentz said. “But yeah, one thing about playing in this conference, you're going to be in a really tough environment this week.”

The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. central time on CBS. For Brown, all those hours of preparation are about to pay off on the biggest stage yet.

FAQ

When did Hank Brown become the Iowa Hawkeyes' starting quarterback?

Brown was officially named the starting quarterback ahead of the Hawkeyes' game at Michigan on Saturday, September 26, 2026. His first start comes after a strong showing in the CyHawk game.

How did Hank Brown graduate early from Iowa?

Brown took summer classes during his time at Auburn to lighten his fall course loads. He continued that approach at Iowa, allowing him to graduate last May with a degree in enterprise leadership while still having two years of athletic eligibility left.

What is Hank Brown's preparation routine?

Brown spends most of his free time in the film room, studying the playbook, reviewing opposing teams, and meeting with offensive coordinator Tim Lester. He treats college football like a full-time job, dedicating countless hours to preparation each week.