With the transfer portal window being open for just over one month, Iowa has filled a handful of spots on its offense. The Hawkeyes needed depth at quarterback and receiver and found some solid names in those position groups. The offensive line was another target area for Iowa after the unit struggled in 2022. Transfers will continue to find their destinations as the winter progresses, but at this point in the offseason, here are the guys Iowa has landed.
Cade McNamara – QB
Quarterback depth following last season was the main focus to begin the transfer portal window for Iowa. The timeframe for Spencer Petras’ shoulder injury was unknown at the time, and backup Alex Padilla entered the portal shortly following the regular season. Cade McNamara committed to Iowa on December 1st. His commitment was a splash to begin the offseason and immediately Iowa had their starter.
We’ve gone in depth on McNamara’s profile a couple of times, but ultimately he brings a talent upgrade to the position with championship experience. He hasn’t seen game action since mid-September of last season with a knee injury keeping him sidelined. The former Michigan captain had surgery in November and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at Iowa.
Following Iowa’s bowl victory against Kentucky, true freshman Carson May announced he was entering the transfer portal as well. This left Joe Labas as the only healthy quarterback in the room from the 2022 team that was once full of depth and young talent. It was announced that Petras’ surgery would require 11 months or more for recovery. Behind McNamara, the Hawkeyes needed at least one more signal caller.
Deacon Hill – QB
One day after May’s announcement, former Wisconsin backup and three-star transfer Deacon Hill transferred to Iowa. Hill was a member of Wisconsin’s 2021 recruiting class after being recruited by the same coach who gave McNamara his first Power Five offer – Jon Budmayr. Budmayr is now an offensive analyst for the Hawkeyes and has attracted both McNamara and Hill to his team. The relationships built during high school recruitment are imperative when in the transfer portal. Iowa’s newly-stocked quarterback room is a direct result of those relationships.
Hill is a 6-3, 240-pound pro-style quarterback with great upside potential. He appeared in just one game last season as a redshirt freshman. His skill set includes a big arm with a quick release. Prior to committing to Iowa, Hill was set to transfer to Fordham. May’s announcement pushed the Hawkeyes to offer Hill and they flipped him in just one day. Hill will have three seasons of eligibility remaining at Iowa.
Erick All – TE
The Hawkeyes also needed help with pass-catchers. Iowa lost two wide receivers to the portal in Keagan Johnson and Arland Bruce IV. They also lost some depth at tight end when Elijah Yelverton entered the portal this offseason. Iowa had set its sights on several targets in this department. With the help of McNamara recruiting players to come to Iowa City, the Hawkeyes landed his former roommate and Michigan tight end Erik All.
Like McNamara, All has not seen the field since September when he was also sidelined due to injury. He had back surgery in October and announced he would enter the transfer portal following Michigan’s Big Ten Championship victory.
As a Wolverine, All finished his career in Ann Arbor with 54 catches, 565 yards, and two touchdowns. Most of those stats came during the 2021 season when McNamara led Michigan to a Big Ten Title and Playoff appearance. All brings solid run blocking to Iowa City as well. All’s run blocking grade was 76.5 in 2021 according to Pro Football Focus, good for fifth-best in the Big Ten among all tight ends that year. He and Luke Lachey will head the tight end room for Iowa next season. All will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Seth Anderson – WR
Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes also found a new wide receiver in the portal. Seth Anderson was one of the leading receivers in the FCS last season at Charleston Southern. In 2022, he had 42 receptions for 612 yards and seven touchdowns. At 6’-0” and 180 pounds, Anderson brings a variety of traits to the wide receiver room. He has the speed and physicality to tally yards after the catch, getting 187 yards in that category last season.
Anderson can also get vertical to make tough catches. He led his team last season with five contested receptions. Iowa was in need of some talent at receiver to go along with Diante Vines, Brody Brecht, and Nico Ragaini, and Anderson will be that guy. The sophomore transfer will have three years of eligibility remaining in a Hawkeye uniform.
Daijon Parker – OT
Skill positions aside, Iowa needed help at the offensive line. One of the many issues with last year’s offense was the inexperience of the group up front. Iowa gave up 38 sacks this season and the offense struggled as a result. The Hawkeyes also lost the potential commitment of five-star Kadyn Proctor as he flipped to Alabama in the early signing period. This meant the Hawkeyes needed to find help quickly at offensive line.
They did so after flipping the Saginaw Valley State transfer Daijon Parker to Iowa. The 6’-6” and 300-pound offensive tackle was set to commit to Virginia before the Hawkeyes made a late push to get him. Saginaw Valley State is a Division II in Michigan that finished the 2022 season 8-3. Parker has a basketball background and displays good footwork at the offensive line. He will likely fit at right tackle for Iowa, an area where Iowa specifically struggled this past season. Parker is a much-needed player up front. Parker will have two years of eligibility in a Hawkeye uniform.
