A former quarterback for Iowa football re-enters the NCAA transfer portal, raising new concerns about his future.
The former Iowa football quarterback re-enters the NCAA transfer portal, and this time it feels like a more significant, intimate, and important move. Marco Lainez’s most recent choice serves as a reminder of how erratic the modern college football experience has become rather than just adding another name to the portal. Nowadays, college football careers hardly ever follow a straight line. In just a few seasons, Marco Lainez’s path has wound through the FCS ranks, the Big Ten, and back into the portal.
The former quarterback for Iowa football returns to the NCAA transfer portal for the second time. After re-entering the NCAA transfer portal for the second time in two years, Marco Lainez formally declared on Sunday night that he is once again looking for a new home. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound quarterback was the Phoenix’s main backup signal-caller during the 2025 campaign at Elon. Lainez made the most of his opportunities despite having little time on the field. In his three Elon appearances, he completed 8 of 20 passes for 113 yards. Additionally, he demonstrated his mobility by gaining 30 rushing yards on nine carries, a skill set that has followed him throughout his career.
Most significantly, Lainez will still be eligible for two more seasons, which makes him a compelling choice for schools looking for depth, experience, or a quarterback with several seasons to develop.
A journey that began at Iowa
Lainez’s college career started in Iowa City prior to Elon. As a member of the 2023 recruiting class, he joined the Hawkeyes with high expectations and a reputable high school transcript. Lainez, a graduate of The Hun School in New Jersey, received a three-star prospect rating from 247Sports. He was ranked as the 16th best player in the state of New Jersey and the 49th best quarterback in his class. He was seen by Iowa at the time as a long-term developmental quarterback who would fit the physical and competitive requirements of the program.
But there weren’t many chances to play. Lainez played in just one game during his two seasons with the Hawkeyes, a high-profile event that took place in challenging circumstances.
One moment from the Citrus Bowl In the fourth quarter of the Hawkeyes’ 35-0 loss to Tennessee in the 2024 Citrus Bowl, Lainez made his only appearance for Iowa. He showed off his athleticism with 51 rushing yards on six carries despite being thrown into action late and only completing two of seven passes for four yards. Even though his stat line was modest, it provided a glimpse of his resilience and dual-threat ability, which have kept him in the conversation despite his limited playing time.
The current transfer portal era’s reality The former Iowa football quarterback’s re-entry into the NCAA transfer portal highlights how fluid roster movement has become. The harsh reality of depth charts is especially harsh for quarterbacks. A single missed opportunity, one breakout player ahead of you, or a change in coaching can completely alter a career. For Lainez, the choice is about pursuing opportunity rather than giving up. He still has two years to join a system that recognizes his skill set and provides a more direct route to snaps.
It’s unclear if the next stop will be at the FCS or FBS level. However, one thing is certain: Marco Lainez’s tale is far from over. His perseverance reveals more about his mindset than any stat line could in a sport where patience is uncommon and opportunities are ephemeral.
