We got a chance to chat with Iowa football's quarterbacks, running backs, and new running backs coach Jay Norvell on Thursday afternoon. Here are some of the top quotes that stood out.
Iowa football's only open spring practice practice is just one week away.
While you all anxiously await your first look at the 2026 Hawkeyes, HawkeyeRoundtable.com has you covered on all of the latest happenings inside the program.
Since the calendar flipped to April, Iowa has hosted weekly media availability with select position groups. April 16 may have been the most informative session yet, as new running backs coach Jay Norvell spoke to the press for the first time since returning to his alma mater.
We'll have plenty of content in the coming days, but while you wait, check out some of the top quotes from Thursday's media session.
Norvell on returning to Iowa:
I wanted to come back to University of Iowa because of my my deep love for the University of Iowa and and really, my great respect for Kirk Ferentz and what he's done. It's been a long time since I've been back, and I've had a lot of amazing experiences since I left here in 1986 and most of those experiences have been with people from Iowa. And so I'm so so grateful for that and to have an opportunity to come back after being a head coach for nine years and really having a deep understanding of what it takes to be in that position, I really was excited about the opportunity to come back and work with Kirk.
Quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski on his play style:
I've always been in a spread RPO offense, so that's kind of how I grew up, in that gunslinger build, but in this offense, it's more play action, pass and sit in the pocket, stuff like that. So I've kind of had to adapt to some of those qualities for this offense, but I still have that gun slinger in me at heart.
What level of offense do you think this offense can get to by September 5th?
HECKLINSKI: I think we're going to be an explosive offense. I mean, we got the guys to do it, new receivers, our tight ends are amazing, obviously, our O lines coming back, and they're they're big and they're good. So I think we're going to be an amazing team.
QB Hank Brown on his relationship with offensive coordinator Tim Lester:
I felt like I was kind of thrown into it last year, which I enjoyed, and I think I grew a lot from that, but I was obviously still learning the offense and learning the system and what Coach Lester wanted out there. And so this year, having a year under my belt and knowing the system a lot better, and being able to focus on more of the details and what the defense is doing, and just working on reacting better in the gray area has been awesome.
RB Xavier Williams on what role he hopes to play this season:
I want to be a playmaker. I want to be a guy that my teammates look to that just makes the right winning play every time I'm out there. Just go out there, lay it on the line with all I got for my teammates.
Looking for a FREE Hawkeyes community?
Don't miss out on our Roundtable community and the latest news! It's completely FREE to join.
Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the FREE Roundtable APP and stay even more connected!
Missed the Caitlin Clark jersey giveaway?
No problem! Become a FREE HawkeyeRoundtable community member today to have a chance to win future Hawkeye prizes! We'll continue the giveaways throughout the year and may or may not have one coming later this month, so stay tuned!