Former Wisconsin quarterback Deacon Hill commits to Iowa

IOWA CITY — Former Wisconsin quarterback Deacon Hill has committed to Iowa, he announced Wednesday on social media.

Hill, a former three-star recruit from Santa Barbara, Calif., did not attempt a pass in two seasons with the Badgers.

Hill, who announced plans to transfer in October, initially committed to Fordham before flipping his commitment to Iowa this week.

Iowa analyst Jon Budmayr was the quarterbacks coach at Wisconsin when Hill chose the Badgers out of high school.

Hill, who has three years of eligibility remaining, will add depth to a quarterback position that has lost two players to the transfer portal since the end of the 2022 season.

Cade McNamara is the likely starter after transferring from Michigan, and Joe Labas is the incumbent at the No. 2 quarterback spot after making his debut in the Music City Bowl.

With McNamara recovering from knee surgery and incoming freshman Marco Lainez not arriving until the summer, Hill will likely provide critical depth in spring practices.

Alex Padilla and Carson May have departed via the transfer portal. Spencer Petras plans to stay with the team in the spring, but his status afterward is uncertain as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com