Known for their defensive prowess and pipeline to the NFL, the Iowa Hawkeyes send some strong quarterback play to the NFL as well. The most recent former Iowa football QB to earn some looks from an NFL squad is C.J. Beathard, who played at Iowa for four years.
C.J. Beathard, the former Iowa QB, was brought in by the New York Jets for a workout today amid some injuries to the quarterback position. He joined another former Iowa Hawkeye, wide receiver Brandon Smith, making noise for the Jets.
Journeyman backup Tyrod Taylor was the backup quarterback to Justin Fields, but he has undergone a minor scope surgery to his knee, which will hold him out for the rest of the preseason. Following that news, the Jets brought in Beathard, an NFL veteran as well, for a workout.
The San Francisco 49ers drafted C.J. Beathard with the No. 104 pick overall in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He was with the 49ers from 2017-20 before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2021-21. He spent the 2024 season with both the Jaguars and Miami Dolphins.
During his NFL career, Beathard has appeared in 32 games. He has thrown for 3,886 yards and 19 touchdowns with four more scores on the ground.
Beathard spent 2012-2016 with the Iowa Hawkeyes. During his time at Iowa, he appeared in 40 games and has 28 starts to his name. He threw for 5,507 yards and 40 touchdowns for the Hawkeyes with 10 more scores on the ground.
C.J. Beathard commanded the Iowa Hawkeyes’ offense during their magical 2015 season that saw them end the regular season 12-0 and earn a trip to the Rose Bowl.
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