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Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara is finally healthy. His arrival from Michigan in 2023 brought hype and hope to the Iowa offense.
“This is my first time since I’ve been at Iowa where I’m able to participate in every training phase,” McNamara said. “I’m 100% and I’ve probably been 100% for over a month now.”
A strained quad suffered in training camp and a torn ACL in September ended his season prematurely. McNamara also missed the chance to compete against his former team in the 2023 Big Ten Championship.
“As a competitor and as the quarterback you’re well aware of the impact you can have on a team.” McNamara said.
But despite each of the his last two seasons taken away from him because of health, McNamara says he has a newfound feeling of gratitude.
“Your phone goes pretty dead when you’re injured,” McNamara said. “The people who are in your corner — those are the people you know you can trust and to be honest that group has grown for me.”
McNamara’s next challenge was learning a brand new offense under Tim Lester while rehabbing.
“Sometimes I’ve got to check the clock before I walk in because I’ll walk out 3 hours later,” McNamara said of him and Lester’s relationship.
“He’s forcing everyone to learn as much as they possibly can. That way when it comes time for season we can fine tune some things and make things game specific.”
The off-season was filled with even more change. McNamara added as much as 30 pounds to his physique an effort to prevent future injury. He hopes to be at least ten pounds heavier than his playing weight of 198 lbs in 2023.
“My strength overall has gone up a lot more I don’t necessarily need 100% of my arm strength all the time.” McNamara said.
Some may wonder after three years and two knee surgeries since his full season if McNamara is the same player that led Michigan to a Big Ten championship. To him, it’s not a question.
“Every time when we go out there I prove to myself and I prove to my teammates every time I grab a football that I still got it.” McNamara said. “I know that deep down in me and that’s not going to leave.”