Iowa is losing multiple quarterbacks to the transfer portal this offseason. If that feels like a recurring trend, that’s because it is.

Last season, the Hawkeyes watched as a pair of quarterbacks hit the portal and exited Iowa City. Those players were Deacon Hill, who started much of last season after an injury to Cade McNamara, and backup Joey Labas.

McNamara returned for the 2024 season and he was the starter once again until an injury derailed his season. Now, he’s in the portal looking at a new destination as a grad transfer, and McNamara will have additional company.

After James Resar announced he had filed portal paperwork last week, Marco Lainez followed suit on Monday. Lainez was a 3-star recruit from the 2023 recruiting class, and he becomes the 3rd QB from Iowa to hit the portal following the regular season.

The string or portal entries leave Iowa currently shorthanded at QB for the bowl game. Brendan Sullivan is the only scholarship QB left on the roster, though Jackson Stratton has started the final 2 games of the season.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz said the plan will be to have a 3-week competition between those two during bowl prep. However, Sullivan is likely to be the eventual starter if he is fully healthy as expected.

Beyond the bowl game, it’s clear the Hawkeyes will need to address and at least add some pieces to the QB room before we reach the spring. We’ll see how the team adjusts moving forward.