Iowa quarterback Joe Labas enters transfer portal

IOWA CITY — Iowa backup quarterback Joe Labas entered the transfer portal on Tuesday, he announced on social media.

Labas, a former four-star recruit from Brecksville, Ohio, played and started in one game in his three seasons as a Hawkeye.

Labas’ lone start was in the 2022 Music City Bowl, where the Hawkeyes won 21-0 against Kentucky. Labas was 14-of-24 with one touchdown pass and no interceptions.

When starting quarterback Cade McNamara suffered a season-ending injury this season, Iowa’s coaching staff opted to go with Wisconsin transfer Deacon Hill at quarterback instead of Labas.

Hill went on to complete only 49.4 percent of his passes while throwing five touchdowns and six interceptions.

Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz reiterated that Hill “gives us our best chance” as recently as Sunday’s bowl announcement news conference.

“Having the opportunity to play quarterback at the University of Iowa and to be mentored by Coach Ferentz and his staff these past three seasons is something I will always be thankful for,” Labas said on social media.“ My time spent with my teammates and this community has shaped me into the man and player I am today.”

Labas is the fifth quarterback to transfer from Iowa since the end of the 2021 season, following Deuce Hogan, Alex Padilla, Carson May and Spencer Petras.

Labas will have two years of eligibility remaining.

With Labas departing the program, Marco Lainez is expected to officially move into Iowa’s No. 2 quarterback spot on the depth chart. Lainez had already been working with the second-team offense in pregame warmups.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com