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Nate Stanley tries on the Iowa quarterback jersey
Marc Morehouse
Aug. 29, 2017 7:27 pm, Updated: Aug. 29, 2017 8:17 pm
IOWA CITY — Tuesday was a day to get to know Nate Stanley. Let's start with that. He prefers 'Nate' and not 'Nathan.'
'I always feel like I'm in trouble with my mom when I get called Nathan,' Iowa's newly minted quarterback said.
His teammates already have figured out a workaround.
'Usually we call him 'Stanley,'' wide receiver Matt VandeBerg said. 'We've got a lot of Nates on this team.'
When the Hawkeyes open the season against Wyoming on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium, it's Nate Stanley at quarterback. He's from Menomonie, Wis. He's 6-5, 235 pounds. He's a sophomore, was the backup to C.J. Beathard last season and his mom, Donita, is from Wellsburg and is a Wartburg College graduate. And, no, that didn't hurt when it came time to make a decision on Iowa or Wisconsin during recruiting.
Stanley won a prolonged camp battle with junior Tyler Wiegers to claim the Hawkeyes' QB spot. That conversation went down last Thursday. Coaches asked Stanley to keep quiet on the decision. That's not really a problem for Stanley. He was scorched with interview and visit requests from coaches and media during recruiting, so he deleted his Facebook.
'I called my parents and let them know,' he said. 'They were pretty excited for me.'
Everyone is very careful when addressing the QB topic. Wiegers remains an important factor on this team. No one offered a ton of specifics on why or how Stanley won the job. Stanley said he didn't know how it was going to go down when he met with coaches and Wiegers last Thursday.
What did keep coming up — like a lot — was Stanley's arm strength.
Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz started that parade when the Big Ten Network visited in mid-August.
'And then you've got a guy like Nate, who's a little younger and doesn't have as much experience with the system, but he's got a big, explosive arm and can sure throw it a long way,' Brian Ferentz said.
That theme only gained steam Tuesday.
Sophomore wide receiver Devonte Young learned in camp that Stanley's arm means business.
'Sometimes his touch is too much,' Young said. 'I have a dent in my facemask because of it.'
Young ran a 3-yard drag route underneath the linebackers.
'He put a lot of steam on it,' Young said.
How did that change your approach to the next rep?
'I have to be more aware of it,' Young said. 'I was kind of relaxed. I didn't think it was going to come that fast.'
This was sort of a lesson for all of the wide receivers.
'I remember that play,' VandeBerg said with a laugh. 'He's got a laser, he's got a laser.'
And a cannon.
'He's got the cannon and the willingness to learn,' VandeBerg said. 'Those two things at that position are critical.'
VandeBerg is a fifth-year senior. He knew the Stanley questions would come his way. When he was asked, he started his response with ...
'You guys know his arm, I'm sure that's been talked about more than a few times,' VandeBerg said.
Let's get the head coach in on this.
'He has a live arm, a strong arm,' head coach Kirk Ferentz said.
Let's go ahead and check the arm strength box for Stanley.
What else? His dad, Jay, has been a lifelong coach. Right now, he's coaching offensive line for Menomonie, where Stanley holds school records for passing yards (3,674) and career TDs (36). Stanley was a four-year letterwinner as quarterback, defensive back and punter for Menomonie. He was a four-year starter in basketball and baseball.
Yes, Stanley did hit 90 mph as a pitcher. The arm thing is legit.
'He probably has the strongest arm,' quarterbacks coach Ken O'Keefe said on media day. 'Because he's the biggest guy, he needs to work the hardest on his feet. It's as simple as that. Big guy syndrome sometimes, especially for young guys. And he's sharp. He knows what we're asking.'
Sharp? Stanley was in the National Honor Society and earned academic all-state at Menomonie. He's a physical therapy major.
Stanley worked on the footwork thing during camp. Competition forces you to dig where you're weak.
'Decision-making got a lot quicker,' Stanley said. 'Coach O'Keefe really stresses decision-making. I think my footwork got a lot better. Still a long ways to go on it, but it's like everything. You can always improve.'
What else? OK, you've got to give Stanley credit for this one.
Of course, you know that Brian Ferentz is a first-year offensive coordinator. So, the offense is probably changing, at least somewhat. Stanley was asked to give a preview.
His answer showed quick-decision making. It was heady. He took control of the situation and left an imprint.
'There's some footwork that's just a little bit different,' Stanley said. 'Otherwise, gameplanning stuff, you'll see it on Saturday. I'm not going to say anything about that.'
You'll see it on Saturday. And probably the arm, too.
l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com