Iowa Football Team Announces Captains For Week 1 Against Illinois State

The Iowa Hawkeyes are just days away from the start of the 2024-25 college football season after a long and busy offseason. The coaching shuffle, transfer portal carousel and roster changes will soon come to an end.

The Hawkeyes host Illinois State, an FCS opponent from the Missouri Valley Conference, to open the season inside Kinnick Stadium as they look to improve to 1-0.

Iowa, a team that usually stays on the straight and narrow, will be without head coach Kirk Ferentz and wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr, who are serving one-game suspensions for recruiting violations.

Their absence will force the Hawkeyes to show leadership from within, and that starts with the captains who will lead Iowa onto the field on Saturday.

Quinn Schulte, Security

Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Quinn Schulte, the unsung hero of Iowa’s defense, does everything right down to the smallest detail. He’s one of the most experienced players not only on defense, but on the Hawkeyes’ roster.

He’s an on-field coach who allows Phil Parker to be creative and trust his secondary. He’s a leader for the secondary, the defense and the entire team.

Luke Lachey, tight end

Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Returning from injury, Luke Lachey hopes to play a significant role in Iowa’s offense. He has the qualities and skills to lead the way for this team down the middle.

His decision to return to Iowa gives this team a real weapon in the passing game and an experienced player the offense can turn to when it needs a play.

Jay Higgins, linebacker

Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

The heart and soul of Iowa’s defense is at middle linebacker. Jay Higgins is everything Iowa and Phil Parker want in their middle linebacker.

Higgins is athletic, smart and never misses his tackles. He enters this year after a monster season last year and will be an integral part of Iowa’s defensive success.

Cade McNamara, quarterback

Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

Like Luke Lachey, McNamara is coming back from injury this year. His health and ability to get this offense moving on the field could determine the potential of this team and how far it can go.

He’s healthy, he’s found his groove in the passing game and he’s ready to lead the Hawkeyes on the field at Duke Slater on Saturday.

Take away

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The loss of Kirk Ferentz is painful. He represents everything that makes Iowa football. His absence will eat away at him and it will be strange to see an Iowa team without him, who was a pillar of his team.

That said, Iowa is a senior-led team with plenty of experience to navigate a game without Ferentz. You can bet he’ll have spoken to every captain before this game, stressing the importance of leadership and keeping the entire team steady throughout the game.

Contact/follow us on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.

Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7