By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Deacon Hill was put in a tough situation after Cade McNamara suffered a season-ending knee injury against Michigan State in the fifth game of the 2023 season.

Hill clearly wasn’t ready to play quarterback at the Power Five level, at least not with Iowa’s offense.

It was tough to watch at times as the Iowa offense performed horribly.

You name it and Iowa struggled to do it on offense, and Hill certainly deserves his share of the blame.

His lack of accuracy and touch, and his inability to scramble made the 6-foot-3, 258-pound Hill a liability at times, and a sitting duck all the time.

The Santa Barbara, California native didn’t look any better in the open practice last Saturday to mark the conclusion of spring practice.

Hill threw what would have been a pick six and was strip-sacked in the pocket.

His performance just looked like more of the same, a carry-over from last fall.

But now there is a new sheriff in town with Tim Lester having replaced Brian Ferentz as the Iowa offensive coordinator.

It seems reasonable to believe that Lester told Hill where he stands after spring practice, and they had a mutual parting of the ways.

Whatever the case, Deacon Hill is gone after having barely spent one year in the Iowa program.

The reaction on social media to the news that Hill had entered the portal was quick, harsh and disappointing.

It’s one thing to be frustrated, or even upset with how Hill and the offense performed last season because it left much to be desired.

But to make it personal as some have with snarky, cheap shots on social media crosses the line, and is a bad look.

It isn’t Deacon Hill’s fault that he apparently was the second-best option behind Cade McNamara last season.

It isn’t Deacon Hill’s fault that he moved past Joe Labas on the depth chart during 2023 spring practice.

It isn’t Deacon Hill’s fault that he played with a depleted receiver group, and behind an offensive line that was mediocre at best.

It isn’t Deacon Hill’s fault that Iowa lost its two best tight ends to injuries last season.

You could argue that Deacon Hill was destined to fail under the circumstances.

Perhaps he should have stuck with his commitment to Fordham last winter, but it’s hard to turn down a chance to play for a Big Ten team.

Hill left Wisconsin after the 2022 season looking for a new opportunity, and Iowa gave him a similar opportunity.

It just didn’t work out for him.

And now he’s moving on, and that is probably what is best for Hill, and for Iowa.

Hopefully, those who have taken cheap shots at Hill will move on, too, because he deserves better.

He deserves praise for representing the Iowa football team with class, dignity and grace, and for facing the media during the toughest of times.

Hill never avoided the media, nor did he make excuses or point fingers.

He was accountable after each game, and he was never defensive or confrontational.

He also helped Iowa win a Big Ten West Division title because somebody had to play quarterback, and he apparently was the best option.

In fairness to Hill, it has been a while since an Iowa quarterback has performed well for an extended period.

Some fans were glad when Spencer Petras transferred to Utah State because they had grown tired of his act behind center.

Former Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla also struggled as the replacement for Petras.

Hill is the latest in a trend in which Iowa quarterbacks have struggled.

Iowa is now down to having just two quarterbacks on scholarship in McNamara and redshirt freshman Marco Lainez.

Florida native James Resar will join the team this summer as a quarterback on scholarship, and there is talk that Iowa could soon add a quarterback from the portal.

The hope is that Lester, a former college quarterback, will make the quarterbacks better with his knowledge and experience.

The hope should also be for Deacon Hill to find happiness in the next chapter of his journey.

He certainly didn’t perform at an All-Big Ten level on the field, but he handled everything off the field with class and maturity.

Those qualities should carry him far in life.