Iowa starting QB 2024: Who will start for Kirk Ferentz's team in Week 11?

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 6-3 heading into Week 11 of the 2024 college football season. The Hawkeyes' three losses this season came against the Iowa State Cyclones, Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan State Spartans.

Ahead of their Week 11 showdown with the UCLA Bruins, let's take a look at the starting quarterback and potential backup for the game.

Iowa's starting QB against the UCLA Bruins in Week 11

Brendan Sullivan enters Week 11 as the Hawkeye's likely starting quarterback for the UCLA Bruins game. Sullivan was thrust into the starting role after Cade McNamara suffered a concussion in the game against the Northwestern Wildcats.

The junior-year quarterback will now get the chance to stake his claim for the starting role against the UCLA Bruins. Sullivan has amassed a stat line of 186 passing yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions this season. He has also added 135 rushing yards and four rushing TDs for good measure.

The Hawkeyes will count on his dual-threat ability at the Rose Bowl on Friday, November 8, 2024.

Iowa Hawkeyes' QB depth chart

The Iowa Hawkeyes' core depth chart consists of three quarterbacks: Cade McNamara, Brendan Sullivan and Marco Lainez. McNamara is dealing with an injury, Sullivan is set to start against the Bruins, and Lainez will serve as his backup.

Lainez is currently in his second season with the Hawkeyes. He is a mobile quarterback adept at extending plays with his legs and finding pockets of space in opposition defenses.

However, Lainez is just a mobile quarterback. The Hun School product is a competent passer and excellent game manager, especially when the clock is running down. He is well-liked among the coaching staff and is viewed as a future starting quarterback on the Hawkeyes' roster.

Lainez fits the mold of a Brian Ferentz quarterback and has earned comparisons with Brad Banks. The Princeton-born signal-caller hasn't played a snap of football yet in 2024; however, he'll be prepared just in case Brendan Sullivan needs a breather against a resurgent UCLA defense in Week 11.