The Hawkeyes haven’t had an all-Big Ten wide receiver since Marvin McNutt back in 2011. New Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester is hoping to bring some new excitement back to the position. Following the 2023 season, Iowa needed some more numbers at the position.
IOWA CITY, Iowa– The Hawkeyes haven’t had an all-Big Ten wide receiver since Marvin McNutt in 2011. New Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester aims to reignite excitement at the position. After the 2023 season, Iowa needed to bolster their numbers at wide receiver and secured a commitment from Northwestern’s Jacob Gill.
According to Pro Football Focus, Gill has recorded 17 receptions on 33 targets over the past three seasons. His longest reception in college was 47 yards in 2022, with nine of his 17 catches resulting in first downs. One major factor in Gill’s decision to choose Iowa was Lester’s track record with players similar to him.
“Coach Lester is awesome,” Gill said. “He knows his scheme well. It’s exciting to see what he’s done with wide receivers in the past at Western Michigan. It opens up a great opportunity for me — I’m a similar size as those guys as well. He puts his receivers in a position to excel, and that’s something that I jumped at.”
“I saw an opportunity to come in and compete,” he added. “The offense that Coach Tim Lester brings and the stability that Coach Kirk Ferentz has established at this university were all eye-opening.”
Gill redshirted last season due to injury. He played 173 snaps as a true freshman and 262 snaps as a sophomore, with 83 of those coming last season. This makes him the third most experienced wide receiver on the roster, with valuable snaps against Big Ten opponents.
The new Hawkeye is eager to see the field and make an impact, regardless of his position. Iowa’s receivers and scheme haven’t excelled at stretching defenses sideline to sideline, but Lester’s experience and willingness to innovate could change that.
“I’ll play anywhere,” Gill said. “I’ll fit in wherever I can. I’m not limited by position. My skill set translates to both inside and outside. They can plug me in anywhere, and I’ll make plays. I’d describe myself as a route-runner with strong hands.”
Gill is joined by his Northwestern teammate, quarterback and roommate Brendan Sullivan, as a Hawkeye. Best friends off the field, they hope to see a strong connection on the field during the 2025 season. Both have two years of eligibility remaining.
With experience playing both inside and outside, Gill will have every opportunity to compete for immediate snaps. While Kaleb Brown and Seth Andersen are the projected leaders next season, Iowa will need a reliable third receiver to keep defenses honest if they hope to improve offensively.