UNI QB Aidan Dunne prepares for fall camp battle with extra summer workouts

CEDAR FALLS — After three seasons of waiting, Northern Iowa quarterback Aidan Dunne is making sure he’s as prepared as possible for the competition that awaits him this August.

The former Dubuque Hempstead standout is set to compete during the Panthers’ upcoming preseason camp against Jaxon Dailey and Matthew Schecklman for the starting job.

While he awaits the most pivotal moments of the quarterback competition, he’s helping lead extra, voluntary workouts this summer.

“This (summer) we’ve been implementing a lot more field work after workouts,” Dunne said. “We’re doing player-led practices after (weight) lifting. Then, we’re doing some 7-on-7 with skill players and the linemen are doing 1-on-1, so I think it’s good that we’re really getting a jump on working on our football skills this summer just as much as strength and conditioning. I think it’ll show in-season.”

Adding intrigue to UNI’s quarterback competition ahead of the 2024 season is the installation of the “air raid” offense under first-year offensive coordinator Luke Falk.

Dunne described how the scheme puts a lot on the quarterback’s shoulders, but also pointed out a pleasant surprise that’s helped UNI’s signal callers feel comfortable as they learn the ins and outs of the new offense.

“How much freedom you kind of have to bring your style of play into his offense,” Dunne said. “Some offenses you’ve kind of got to be really good at this one or two things and that’ll really (make) the offense go. Coach Falk, he’s figuring out what’s good for you and calling it that way. Then, really giving you the freedom to decide how you’re going to do things.”

The scheme putting a lot on the quarterback’s proverbial shoulders brings the Panthers’ QBs closer together despite their competition.

“You’ve definitely got to feed off each other and see how one guy has got a better way of doing something — better footwork for this play or a better way of getting (the call) out to everybody — so we’re learning from each other all the time,” Dunne said. “It’s a really good group of QBs.”

Like his two counterparts, Dunne will enter preseason camp with little game experience.

The redshirt junior has appeared in just seven games in his career, while Dailey has also appeared in only seven games and Schecklman has played in just one.

Dunne said he’s still had the opportunity to learn what’s most important when it comes to being a starting quarterback at the college level.

“It’s actually more of a lot of the intangibles,” Dunne said. “Being a good leader. Having a lot of energy. Being there for the guys. Not jumping them when they make a mistake, but also trying to help coach them up a little bit and get them locked in.”

As the grind of early mornings, late nights and hot days go by, Dunne and the Panthers get closer to embarking on a season with uncertain expectations from those on the outside looking in.

“I think we’ve got a great team,” Dunne said. “We’ve got older position groups like the (offensive) line. You’ll see a lot of familiar faces, but the new guys are going to stick out. I think we have high expectations for the (season) and they’re definitely achievable with the guys we got on the team right now.”