Former Northwestern quarterback Brendan Sullivan commits to Iowa via transfer portal

IOWA CITY — Iowa football has finally found a quarterback in the transfer portal.

Former Northwestern quarterback Brendan Sullivan has committed to Iowa, he announced Wednesday on social media. His commitment follows a visit to Iowa City this week.

Sullivan appeared in seven games last year for the Wildcats, completing 63.6 percent of his passes while throwing six touchdowns and two interceptions. He went 12-of-19 against Iowa for 81 yards and one touchdown — only one of six passing touchdowns the Hawkeyes gave up against unranked foes in 2023.

Iowa’s familiarity with Sullivan extends beyond Big Ten West competition. Tim Lester, now Iowa’s offensive coordinator, recruited the Davision, Mich., native when he was the head coach at Western Michigan.

Sullivan, who has two years of eligibility remaining, gives the Hawkeyes some much-needed depth at quarterback.

Following Deacon Hill and Tommy Poholsky’s departures via the transfer portal after spring practices, the only quarterbacks on Iowa’s 2024 roster were Cade McNamara (who is recovering from knee surgery), redshirt freshman Marco Lainez and true freshman James Resar.

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Even before Hill and Poholsky’s departures in the spring (and Joe Labas’ departure in the winter portal cycle), quarterback was a clear position of need. The Hawkeyes ranked second-last nationally in completion percentage and dead-last in passing yards per attempt in 2023.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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