Brown named to O’Brien Award Great 8

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa quarterback Hank Brown has been named to the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 list following his performance in the Hawkeyes' 20-19 comeback win at No. 18 Michigan last weekend.

With the honor, Brown joins the midseason watch list for the 2026 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. The national Quarterback of the Week winner will be announced Tuesday.

Behind four consecutive wins to open the season, Brown and the Hawkeyes advanced to No. 14 in the national rankings following their last-second victory over the Wolverines.

Brown (6-foot-4, 218 pounds) connected with wide receiver Reece Vander Zee on a 16-yard touchdown strike as time expired, delivering Iowa’s first walk-off touchdown win since 2009. In the fourth quarter alone, Brown was 13-of-19 passing for 142 yards and two touchdowns, including converting 4-of-6 attempts on third down.

In his first career road start, the redshirt junior finished 21-of-25 for 227 yards and two touchdowns, guiding Iowa to its first road win over a ranked opponent in five seasons.

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Brown has completed 66-of-97 passes for 700 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions through four games. He has also added one rushing touchdown on the season.

No. 14 Iowa (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) hosts No. 5 Ohio State (3-1, 1-0) this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium.