Inside The Hawkeyes

Iowa Pursuing Promising QB During Oregon Matchup

A top quarterback prospect is heading back to Iowa City for the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Oregon matchup. One camp changed everything.
Jayesh Pagar|
Sep 19, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Sep 19, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Iowa Hawkeyes

The Iowa Hawkeyes are making a serious push for one of the 2027 quarterback class's top talents. After Oscar Frye's impressive one-day camp with offensive coordinator Tim Lester, the Brownsburg star is returning for Saturday's sold-out Oregon GameDay. A big win could seal the deal for the Hawkeyes.

Oscar Frye left Iowa City impressed last week. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound quarterback from Brownsburg, Indiana, got his first real look at Iowa's offense and coaching staff. Working one-on-one with Lester changed his perspective on the program.

"I thought it went really well, I definitely felt like I showed the coaches that I'm one of the best 2027 quarterbacks out there," Frye said, per Blair Sanderson of On3.

Now Frye is coming back for GameDay. That's not a coincidence. Top recruits don't revisit programs unless something real is happening. His tweet says it all: "Looking forward to being back in Iowa City for GameDay vs. Oregon. Great program, great state."

Kinnick Stadium will be packed with 65,000 screaming fans. It's the biggest game Iowa can offer right now. Frye will see what playing at Iowa actually feels like. No campus tour can replicate the energy of a sold-out Big Ten matchup against No. 6 Oregon.

"The coaches and wide receivers were great," Frye said about his camp visit. "I really enjoyed my visit."

What Iowa Can Offer Frye

Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester
Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester talks to Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) during warmups Aug. 30, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lester is the key here. He's proven he can develop quarterbacks. Frye felt that connection at camp. Now Iowa has a chance to build on it. If Iowa wins Saturday, Frye leaves thinking about Hawkeyes football, not other programs.

Frye currently has offers from Toledo, Bowling Green, and Miami (Ohio). Louisville is also in the mix. But Iowa is different now. Frye already told people how his visit went. He's coming back. He's watching Iowa play a top-6 team in a packed stadium.

"The coaches and I will visit in the next few days," Frye explained. "I controlled what I could control, and the rest is in God's hands."

That's code for: the coaching staff made their impression. Now it's Iowa's job to close.

A win over Oregon doesn't guarantee a commitment. But it sends Frye home thinking Iowa is the real deal. Iowa's defense is suffocating opponents. Their offense is clicking. Frye will see a program ready to win now and one that is also ready to develop him for the future.

Don't forget to bookmark Iowa Hawkeyes on SI for the latest news. exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and more!

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Jayesh Pagar
JAYESH PAGAR

Jayesh Pagar is currently pursuing Sports Journalism from the London School of Journalism and brings four years of experience in sports media coverage. He has contributed extensively to NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and college football content.

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