The Depth Chart -- Quarterbacks

QUARTERBACK

1. Jake Rudock, jr., 6-3, 208; 2. C.J. Beathard, so., 6-2, 203

THE REST

Tyler Wiegers, fr., 6-4, 215; Justin Joyce, r-fr., 6-0, 175

THE GUY

Jake Rudock made his debut as starter last season and passed for 18 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and 2,383 yards (59 percent on completions). The numbers were satisfactory and were enough to help the Hawkeyes flip their dismal 4-8 in 2012 to 8-5 and an Outback Bowl berth.

Rudock. a junior, should have a chance this season to move from 'satisfactory' to 'difference-maker.' The first thing he wants to fix is that interception number, which was tied for the most among Big Ten starters.

'Decision making, that's always one of the biggest things,' Rudock said. 'You say perfect, but you're never going to perfect it. That's just how life is, how football is. Obviously, you want to cut down the number turnovers and be smart with the ball, but at the same time, the only stat that really matters is wins and losses, that's the biggest thing.'

Spring practice ended with head coach Kirk Ferentz discussing the possibility of sophomore QB C.J. Beathard seeing some real playing time. Ferentz said at the beginning of fall camp that Rudock was the starter and the point isn't 'debatable.'

Are we making too much of this?

'Ask coach,' Rudock said. 'He makes the depth chart. He puts us in and lets us play. Whatever happens, happens. I'm ready to go. I'm ready to play every snap if need be. I'm ready to handoff every snap if need be or throw it every snap. Whatever happens during the season is going to happen.'

THE OTHER GUY

Sophomore C.J. Beathard is the definition of 'The Other Guy.' Beyond not being the starter, he's a hugely important piece to Iowa's puzzle.

Never mind the playing time stuff, Beathard is an experienced quarterback, the only other QB on Iowa's roster who's thrown a pass in a game. In 2013, Beathard finished three games that Rudock couldn't finish. Rudock suffered a sprained knee against Wisconsin, sprained the other knee in the season finale at Nebraska and re-sprained his left knee against LSU in the Outback Bowl.

Rudock has practiced this fall with a heavy brace on his left knee and a band on the other. This all factors in Beathard's value. There's really no QB beyond Rudock, the thinker, and Beathard, the thrower.

'The offense is set up for the quarterback to make decisions and checks,' Beathard said. 'There are certain checks that coach [offensive coordinator Greg] Davis wants us to check into to. Jake does a lot of them right. We learn from each other, honestly. We're both always learning. That's just how it is.'

THE NEW GUYS

Who's the No. 3 QB? Redshirt freshman Nic Shimonek held that spot, but he left the program in July and will walk on at Texas Tech. The fact he passed on free college for a walk-on opportunity says he didn't see light at the end of the tunnel at Iowa.

Part of that is Rudock and Beathard, but Iowa also is bringing in a QB horde.

True freshman Tyler Wiegers is the de facto No. 3. If it comes down to it, head coach Kirk Ferentz has said the redshirt comes off and in you go. Wiegers (6-4, 215) is a classic prostyle QB.

'I don't think it means 'unathletic,'' said Wiegers, who completed 122 of 192 pass attempts for 2,093 yards and 24 touchdowns last season at Detroit (Mich.) Country Day. 'I guess a lot of that is associated with it, a guy not being able to run. It's been a stereotype that's undeserving, because there are a lot of guys who can still be athletic.'

Beyond Wiegers, as of now, Iowa has three QBs who have committed for the 2015 class — Jack Beneventi (6-6, 210), Ryan Boyle (6-1, 215) and Iowa City Regina's Drew Cook (6-5, 218). Of the three, Beneventi is the true QB. Boyle offers a dual-threat element, but he also has a stocky build that could translate to other positions (safety, perhaps). Cook is the son of Iowa legend Marv Cook, who was an all-American tight end for the Hawkeyes. Drew Cook could develop into a 260-pound tight end with basketball athleticism.

That's the future. The now is Rudock and Beathard and Wiegers, and only in the case of an emergency.

— Marc Morehouse