Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla enters transfer portal

IOWA CITY — Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla entered the transfer portal Tuesday as a graduate transfer.

Padilla played in two football games for Iowa this season, completing 21 of 43 passes while throwing one touchdown and two interceptions. One appearance was after starter Spencer Petras had two interceptions and a fumble in one half, and the other was after Petras suffered an injury.

Padilla’s limited playing time was despite Petras struggling for much of the year. The fifth-year senior completed 50 percent or fewer of his passes in five games this season, but he started every game.

Padilla released a statement on social media Tuesday, saying he “will cherish every moment and lesson” from his four years at Iowa.

“I would like to thank the University of Iowa and my coaches, athletic staff and Hawkeye fans for the support and the incredible journey,” Padilla said in a tweet. “Thank you to my teammates, our bonds will last a lifetime.”

Iowa’s quarterback options for 2023 include Spencer Petras if he uses his extra COVID-19 year of eligibility or Joe Labas, who will be in his third year on campus.

Petras completed about 56 percent of his passes in 2022 after completing 57 percent of his passes as the starter in 2020 and 2021. Labas has not seen game action yet.

The alternative for the Hawkeyes would be to seek a quarterback in the transfer portal, although they have not aggressively pursued talent from there in recent years. Iowa was the least active Big Ten team in the transfer portal last year.

Michigan’s Cade McNamara and Georgia Tech’s Jeff Sims are among the higher profile quarterbacks already available in the portal.

A Greenwood Village, Colo., native, Padilla became the first Iowa player to enter the transfer portal since Friday’s 24-17 loss to Nebraska to end the regular season.

When asked about his future after the Nebraska game, Padilla said he was only “reflecting on this loss” at that point.

“I’ll have time to reflect in the next couple weeks, but we’ll see what happens,” Padilla said.

Padilla will have two years of eligibility remaining, including his additional COVID-19 year.

Josh Volk also plans to enter transfer portal

Iowa offensive lineman Josh Volk is planning to enter the transfer portal, he said later Tuesday in a tweet.

The former Cedar Rapids Xavier standout did not appear in any games in 2022 and rarely saw the field in 2021. He redshirted in 2020.

He will have two years of eligibility, plus his extra COVID-19 year of eligibility.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com