Two years after getting a brief opportunity as Auburn’s starting quarterback, top star is now on the verge of potentially breaking through as the starter for Iowa heading into the 2026 college football season.
ESPN’s Max Olson believes Brown has a real chance to win the job, pointing to his more traditional NFL-style frame compared to his primary competition, Wake Forest transfer Jeremy Hecklinski. Olson also suggests Brown could be a better fit to address Iowa’s long-standing struggles generating explosive plays in the passing game.
According to Olson, third-year offensive coordinator Tim Lester faces a compelling choice between two quarterbacks with contrasting styles. Brown, a 6-foot-4 passer, started two games at Auburn and appeared in three contests for Iowa last season. Lester has praised Brown’s efficiency and his ability to create big plays during spring practices—an encouraging development for an offense that has ranked near the bottom of the FBS in completions of 20 yards or more since 2024. Hecklinski, meanwhile, is listed at 5-foot-11 and is known for his playmaking mentality and willingness to take risks, but he remains largely unproven after logging just 12 career snaps across his first two seasons. Lester reportedly saw positive growth from both quarterbacks this spring and has not set a timeline for naming a starter.
Did Auburn move on from Hank Brown too quickly?
Brown’s time at Auburn was short and uneven. Head coach Hugh Freeze turned to him after growing dissatisfied with Payton Thorne following Auburn’s surprising Week 2 loss to Cal during the 2024 season. Brown capitalized on his opportunity against New Mexico, completing 68 percent of his passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns. However, momentum disappeared the following week when Brown threw three interceptions in the first half against Arkansas in a 24–14 loss that effectively derailed Auburn’s season before October.
That game marked the end of Brown’s chances on the Plains. He never took another snap for Auburn and, by 2025, he was gone along with the rest of the quarterback room. Now, with Iowa seriously considering handing him control of the offense, it’s fair to question whether Auburn gave up on him too soon.
Still, context matters. Thorne eventually showed why he was the starter, and Brown’s limited mobility would have been a major concern behind Auburn’s offensive line. It’s hard to imagine him avoiding pressure any better than Thorne did, especially against elite pass rushers in the SEC.
Projecting Brown’s success at Iowa is also complicated. The Big Ten has become a league defined by speed and athleticism on defense. If Brown earns the starting job in 2026, he’ll be challenged weekly by high-level edge rushers across the conference.
Whether Kirk Ferentz ultimately commits to Brown remains to be seen. It would be a risky decision, but one that would certainly intrigue Auburn fans watching to see if a former Tiger can finally put it all together elsewhere.