Hank Brown helping boost Iowa’s quarterback room with young SEC experience

IOWA CITY — Which conference is better, the Big Ten or the SEC?

Ask any college football fan and they’ll give you a different reason to which Power Four group they prefer. Sometimes it comes down to NFL prospects, tailgating atmospheres, number of College Football Playoff appearances or fan experiences.

That’s the fan’s perspective, however. Maybe Iowa’s transfer quarterback Hank Brown will have his two cents to share after this season.

“You know, I think in the broad scheme of things, it's pretty similar,” Brown said during the team’s Kids Day.

Brown transferred to the Hawkeye state after two seasons at Auburn, where he had just two collegiate starts and five appearances. He’s watched some of the country’s most storied programs in action from the sideline.

Almost everything about Brown oozes SEC. He’s from Wheaton, Illinois, but grew up in Nashville. He’s used to screaming “War Eagle” and watching Auburn’s bald eagle, Spirit, fly onto the field every game.

Brown switched to the land of Big Ten in December, one month before quarterback Mark Gronowski announced his commitment to Iowa.

The duo have spent the spring and summer together, and Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz has named those two the starting and backup signal caller this season.

“Both those guys have really, I think, done a good job,” Ferentz said Thursday following the end of preseason camp.

Ferentz said Gronowski will start at quarterback this season, but Brown will be waiting as a backup. Brown played throughout spring while Gronowski was recovering from a shoulder injury, but both were learning a brand new offense.

And a new college experience, too.

“You spend a ton of time together,” Brown said, “so being able to encourage each other and grow with each other is huge.”

Brown’s already noticed a few differences between his two seasons at Auburn and limited time at Iowa. His appreciation for Ferentz’s culture, however, stood out among the rest.

“It's just super sustainable,” He said. “And you know, what they've built here is, is definitely different.”

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There’s the team requirement to eat together during camp that Brown loved, and getting to spend time with Gronowski and the other quarterbacks everyday.

Brown said he wants the quarterback room to feel special — closer than any group he’s been around before. The bond shows up on the field, too. Ferentz said he’s noticed how supportive the group is of each other, and how much the quarterbacks have all been improving since starting in the spring.

Ferentz mentioned back in March how he already saw the differences in the quarterback room. Yes, Gronowski wasn’t playing then, but he saw Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski showing up, day in and day out.

By the time Iowa’s open scrimmage arrived in early August, Ferentz knew what the pecking order at quarterback would be.

Still, Brown kept doing whatever possible to learn from Gronowski. The South Dakota State transfer holds two FCS national titles and a plethora of in-, pre- and post-season honors — including a Maxwell Award Watch List mention earlier this year.

Brown wanted to soak up every bit of what he could from his well-versed teammate.

“He's been great to have and just learn the way that he leads,” Brown said. “You know, I think he does a good job of leading and encouraging the guys, but also getting on them when he needs to. So I've definitely learned from his leadership.”

While Brown will sit behind Gronowski on the depth chart, he’ll develop as a a young QB.

“Getting to come and get the spring, was great, just to kind of get my feet under myself,” Brown said. “And now I feel like, you know, I have a better grass to the offense, and feel like I know the guys a lot better just being able to spend time with them this summer and do things outside of football together.”

Maybe he’ll settle the Big Ten vs. SEC battle while he’s here, too.

Comments: madison.hricik@thegazette.com