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Iowa football transfer WR promises big growth in Hawkeyes' passing game
Everyone knows Iowa's passing offense hasn't been great this decade. However, few are aware how bad it has been.
Since 2020, the Hawkeyes haven't averaged more than 200 passing yards per game in a single season. Two hundred passing yards in a game is a bad performance for most offenses, but for Iowa, that's been a bar it can't pass. Literally. But, it is hoping the situation can be different in 2025.
Iowa brought in transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski to try to help solve those passing game woes. While Gronowski is a great step in the right direction, he can't do it alone. Gronowski will need playmakers in the receiving room to make plays. The Hawkeyes also reached into the transfer portal to find him another playmaker, picking up Chattanooga wide receiver Sam Phillips.
Last season, Phillips had 49 receptions for 803 yards and three touchdowns with the Mocs. The 5-foot-7, 183-pound senior receiver had more than 2,000 receiving yards across three seasons with Chattanooga. Hopefully, he will bring some explosiveness to Iowa's offense in 2025. Phillips answered questions at Iowa's local media day and made a promise that will have Hawkeye fans ecstatic heading into the new season.
What did Sam Phillips say about Iowa football's offense entering 2025?
When asked about the wide receiver room's approach to changing Iowa's bad reputation when it comes to the passing game, Phillips had this to say.
"I feel like we've been working really hard this offseason. We've been making some explosive plays in camp, we're going to do good, I promise," Phillips said.
Iowa fans have seen some of those explosive plays during the open practices. Senior Seth Anderson and sophomore Reece Vander Zee have been on the receiving end of some deep throws from Gronowski that wowed the crowd and took social media by storm. While those plays in camp are great, Hawkeye fans want to see it in an actual game before proclaiming the Iowa passing game problem is solved.
Phillips will be a big part of that. He said later in his interview that he chose Iowa for the opportunity to learn and grow. And he'll be a big part of an Iowa passing game that will also learn and grow this season. Hopefully, Iowa can finally pass for over 200 yards per game in 2025.
The bar is low, but Hawkeye fans will take any progress that they can get this season.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football transfer WR promises big growth in passing game
