IOWA CITY – Northwestern transfers quarterback Brendan Sullivan and wide receiver Jacob Gill have signed scholarship tenders to join the University of Iowa football team, the announcement was made Thursday by Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz. Both players will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Hawkeyes.
Sullivan (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) completed 63-of-99 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns and rushed 75 times for 160 yards and two touchdowns in eight games in 2023.
The native of Davison, Michigan, appeared in five games in 2022, completing 71-of-96 passes with four touchdowns while rushing 54 times for 97 yards. His 114 passing yards against Wisconsin were the most by a Northwestern quarterback making their collegiate debut since Brett Basanez (158 yards) against Air Force in 2002. Sullivan made his first career start, completing 18-of-24 passes for 143 yards and one touchdown, along with 53 yards on the ground and a rushing score against Maryland.
At Davison High School, Sullivan was ranked as the 28th-best pro-style quarterback overall and 23rd-best player in Michigan in 2020. Sullivan went 21-2 as his team’s starting quarterback. He threw for 3,044 yards and 33 touchdowns during his prep career. The all-state quarterback lead his team to the Michigan Division I state championship as a junior, completing 14-of-19 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown at the Ford Field during state title game. He was an Honor Roll student and was recognized as Academic All-State in football, basketball and track.
Gill (6-foot, 190 pounds) had 17 receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns in his three years with the Wildcats. He was hampered by an injury last season and only saw action in four games.
The native of Raleigh, North Carolina, appeared in all 12 games as a freshman and sophomore. He had a catch in seven games, totaling 99 yards and one touchdown in 2022. Gill recorded eight catches for 85 yards and a score in 2021.
Gill is Cardinal Gibbons High School’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving touchdowns and yards. He totaled 62 receptions, 806 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. Gill was a two-time first-team All-North Carolina Cap 7 Conference and first-team All-North Carolina 4A honoree. He was a multi-sport athlete (track) and was on the Honor Roll.
