Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester said Tuesday, Oct. 13, that he has not decided who will start at quarterback when the 12th-ranked Hawkeyes return from their bye week to face Minnesota on Oct. 24, and he offered a detailed look at how he will make the call.
Speaking during Iowa's bye-week coordinator availability, Lester said junior Hank Brown, who won the starting job entering Big Ten play but suffered an AC joint sprain against Ohio State, is not yet fully cleared but has been throwing in practice. Redshirt freshman Jeremy Hecklinski, who threw three touchdowns in relief during Iowa's 26-19 win at Washington on Oct. 9, is making a late push for the job.
What Lester Said About the Quarterback Competition
Iowa only makes its coordinators available to reporters during the bye week, so Oct. 13 was the media's first chance to hear Lester address the situation directly. According to Yahoo Sports, which published his comments Oct. 14, Lester was straightforward about where things stand.
“We're going to have to figure out which one's going to get the first at-bat. We have two guys that have proven they can be efficient and help us win games,” Lester said, according to Yahoo Sports.
KWQC reported that Lester went a step further on the season's second half: “I think it's safe to say they're both going to play meaningful snaps in the second half of the season to help us win games.” The Quad Cities station also reported that Brown was limited in Tuesday's practice.
No Return to the Pitch Count... Yet
Earlier this season, before Brown separated himself, Iowa used a system borrowed from baseball: Brown took the first two or three possessions, then Hecklinski followed, similar to how managers limit a pitcher to a pitch count.
Lester said there have been no internal discussions about returning to that arrangement for the Minnesota game, according to Yahoo Sports. The immediate priority is getting Brown healthy. If Iowa does go back to a split system, Lester said he is confident in both quarterbacks.
How Lester Grades His Quarterbacks
Lester, a former four-year starter at Western Michigan who threw for more than 11,000 yards and 87 touchdowns and won MAC Freshman of the Year in 1997, explained that his evaluation comes down to math and film study.
When he reviews the all-22 footage after each game, he tracks three things: every scramble decision, every pass decision, and the percentages that come from those two categories, what he calls the “right point.”
“So, you grade by percentages of are they thinking the way you want them to think, right? And that's always the biggest thing because you're going to be out there in all different situations when things are going good or bad, I expect you to still make the next right decision, whether it's a check down or whether it's a throw away,” Lester said, according to Yahoo Sports.
Lester said he will have more time later this week to watch film from all six games before a decision is made.
What Lester Likes About Brown and Hecklinski
Lester praised both players' development at the midway point. He said Brown has shown smart decision-making with the ball, including consistent use of checkdowns, and has made small adjustments after halftime. He credited Hecklinski with running the play-action and run-pass-option game well out of the shotgun against Washington, though he noted the Huskies' struggles against Iowa's ground attack were not simply a product of Hecklinski's presence.
“But we'll go back and watch and evaluate each and every decision and figure out which guy gives us the best chance and the other one has to be ready because this is Division I college football. It's happening everywhere now,” Lester said, according to Yahoo Sports. “I feel very fortunate to have the guys we have.”
Hawk Central reported that Lester was blunt when asked directly who will play against the Gophers: “I don't know. I don't have to know right now.”
Why the Decision Matters for Iowa's 2026 Season
The Hawkeyes sit at 5-1 at the midway point, with the only loss coming against Ohio State, and Lester's offense has been a major reason for the strong start since he arrived in Iowa City after a season as an offensive consultant with the Green Bay Packers under head coach and former Western Michigan teammate Matt LaFleur.
The quarterback spot remains the one unresolved question. Brown's injury timeline adds urgency: if he is not fully cleared by the time practices resume for Minnesota, Hecklinski would be in line for his first start since the early-season rotation ended.
Iowa's road win at Washington, which came amid a notable spending gap between the two programs, kept the Hawkeyes in contention in the Big Ten race. The choice Lester makes over the next week will go a long way toward determining whether Iowa can stay in the conference title conversation in November.
Lester plans to complete his full film review of all six games later this week. Iowa hosts Minnesota on Oct. 24 at Kinnick Stadium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Iowa's starting quarterback right now?
Hank Brown won the starting job entering Big Ten play, but a shoulder injury against Ohio State and Jeremy Hecklinski's strong outing at Washington have reopened the competition. Lester said Oct. 13 that no decision has been made for the Minnesota game.
What is Tim Lester's “pitch count” system?
It is a rotation Iowa used early in the 2026 season in which Brown played the first two or three possessions and Hecklinski followed. Lester said there have been no discussions yet about bringing it back.
When does Iowa play Minnesota?
Iowa hosts Minnesota on Oct. 24 at Kinnick Stadium following its bye week.
