Iowa Hawkeyes 2023 Snapshot Profile: No. 10 Deacon Hill
Ah, yes, the backup quarterback.
So often forgotten is the man on the sideline holding the clipboard, but few players are given as much trust as the backup quarterback. The understudy to the most critical position on the offense, your backup can be the last line of defense from a lost season.
On the opposite side of the ball stand a platoon of pass rushers, massive in size, eager to drive your quarterback into the grass. They are the attack dogs, set loose on the conductor of your offense. Unfortunately, injuries can happen at the quarterback position, so you need a player you can trust to step in at a moment’s notice and keep the ship from spiraling out of control.
After the transfer of Alex Padilla to the SMU Mustangs, the backup quarterback slot is wide open for the taking. Wisconsin transfer Deacon Hill might be the one to take that job.
The redshirt sophomore from the sunny shores of Santa Barbara, Calif., unfortunately flew under the radar this offseason. While a solid recruit in his own right, his transfer into Iowa was overshadowed by that of fellow Big Ten transfer Cade McNamara.
The next starting quarterback, Michigan transfer McNamara, would naturally snatch all of the headlines. Early into spring, though, Deacon Hill certainly turned heads. While the backup slot is reportedly still “wide open,” Hill made a great case with a strong showing at Iowa’s spring practice.
“As of today, it would be him,” Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said about Hill potentially becoming the No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart after the open spring practice.
Here is a look at Iowa’s potential next backup quarterback in Deacon Hill.
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Deacon Hill's Preseason Player Profile
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Hometown: Santa Barbara, Calif.
Ht: 6-3
Wt: 230
Class in 2023: Soph.
247Sports composite ranking
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Stars | Overall | State | Position | |
247 | 4 | N/A | 22 | 27 |
Rivals | 3 | N/A | 42 | 22 |
ESPN | 3 | N/A | 83 | 49 |
On3 Recruiting | 4 | 236 | 14 | 22 |
247 Composite | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
High School
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Career totals include completing 214-of-361 pass attempts for 3,183 yards.
Named News-Press All-County offensive MVP as a junior.
Invited to compete in 2021 Polynesian Bowl following senior season.
Career Stats
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Played in one game over two years for Wisconsin Badgers. Did not attempt a pass.
Depth Chart Overview
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
The race for the QB2 slot on the depth chart will be fiercely contested this offseason among multiple deserving candidates. Sophomore Joey Labas is the only quarterback on the roster who has actually thrown a pass for the Hawkeyes, serving as the starting quarterback in the Music City Bowl victory over Kentucky.
The Hawkeyes will soon add talented three-star recruit Marco Lainez over the summer. For now, though, it looks like Deacon Hill lays claim to the backup quarterback slot for the Hawkeyes heading into summer.
Quote Them
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
“But probably what impresses me more about Deacon than anything is his ability to learn and grow on a daily basis. He sees things. He picks them up. He doesn’t make the same mistake twice,” Hawkeye offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz said last week.
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