IOWA CITY | Waiting for an Iowa opportunity, C.J. Beathard learned the value of patience and persistence over the past three seasons.
“It hasn’t been easy to get to this point, you want it to all happen now, but it doesn’t work that way,’’ Beathard said Wednesday, fielding questions for the first time since he moved to the top of the Hawkeye depth chart at quarterback in January.
“I kept believing, knew that my time was coming. I kept faith in God that it would all work out for the best in time.’’
For Beathard, that time has arrived.
The 6-foot-2, 209-pound junior now sits at the controls of the Iowa offense, receiving first-team reps during the opening week of spring practice.
As he settles into the starting role and two-year starter Jake Rudock finalizes graduate transfer plans that will lead him to Michigan, Beathard finds himself energized and enthused about the prospects.
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“My expectation is that we are going to win every game we play,’’ he said, speaking of pursuing Big Ten championships and maximizing opportunities offensively.
Work toward those objectives is currently taking place on the practice field, where the first public appearance for the 2015 Hawkeyes will be in an April 11 open practice in West Des Moines.
Beathard, who led Iowa to a win at Purdue last fall in his only career start, completed 52-of-92 passes for 645 yards last season. He threw five touchdown passes and was intercepted twice.
“I have to improve,’’ he said. “This is an important spring for me and receiving first-team reps, I’m getting a chance to grow.’’
He expects that growth to including both improving skill and leadership qualities.
“I understand that I will be expected to lead the team and lead it well,’’ he said. “I’m excited for the opportunity and I’m working to gain the consistency I know I’ll need as the starter.’’
Receiver Tevaun Smith said Beathard is settling in quickly to his new role.
“He has a great arm and we’ve all known that. Now, it’s up to us to do our jobs and be in a position to help him have success,’’ Smith said. “We’re working to develop the chemistry that we know it takes to make it all work.’’
Beathard learned that he would get the starting opportunity shortly after splitting time with Rudock in the TaxSlayer Bowl loss to Tennessee.
Both quarterbacks discussed their situations with Iowa coaches prior to the bowl game as they split work during bowl preparations.
Beathard said both were informed that a change was being made at the top of the depth chart shortly after coaches met the week after the bowl game. He said the move was made before he had really given any serious consideration to his future plans at Iowa.
“I was at home, relaxing and trying to unwind from the season when they called,’’ he said. “I really hadn’t had a chance to talk to my family or think much about it. It really never got to that point.’’
Beathard believes he offers the Iowa offense more options, including a running threat from the quarterback position, and feels like his knowledge of the nuances of the offense has improved to the point where he is ready to lead at the only place he wanted to play.
“This is my team,’’ Beathard said. “I’ve always been a Hawk. I didn’t want to leave and I didn’t have any plans to leave.’’
His job now includes helping the only other quarterback on scholarship at Iowa this spring, redshirt freshman Tyler Wiegers, prepare for a back-up role.
“He’s a smart kid who has a great future in front of him but his head is spinning right now with everything being thrown his way,’’ Beathard said. “We’ve all been there and I try to help him the best I can.’’