Iowa’s Starting Quarterback Gets His Arm Strength From Playing His “First Love” Water Polo

The Iowa Hawkeyes starting quarterback Deacon Hill has incredible arm strength, something he credits to the sport that was his “first love”, water polo.

Hill began playing water polo at the age of four. Hill was introduced to water polo as one of the friends his sisters played basketball with, Kiley Neushul noticed that his sisters’ hair was “green on the ends” Hill told The Gazette.

After trying water polo, Hill and his three sisters, Sami, Kodi, and Abbi stuck with it. All three sisters went on to play water polo for UCLA. Deacon described water polo as “my first love.”

When Hill eventually began playing football, he had to adjust from the throwing motion of a water polo ball to the throwing spin of a football. J.T. Stone was both Hill’s fourth-grade quarterback coach as well as his high school coach. Stone “was always trying to fix” Hill’s water polo throwing to fit throwing a football.

Hill told The Gazette, “In football, it’s like trying to get that spin on the ball; you’re flicking it. Water polo you’re kind of directing of where you want the ball to go.”

Hill ended up quitting water polo during his sophomore year of high school to focus on football.

One of Hill’s strengths on the football field is his arm strength. Hill estimated that he could throw a football “like 73, 74” yards down the field, an estimate his teammates did not deny.

The Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten West as they are 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten conference with their lone loss coming from Penn State a month ago (a game in which Hill was not the starter). Hill took over under center after Cade McNamara suffered a torn ACL during the game against Michigan State on September 30th. Hill transferred to Iowa after spending two seasons at Wisconsin.

Hill will look to lead the Hawkeyes to win the Big Ten West for a spot in the Big Ten Championship game.

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Brian
1 year ago

Having a middle school son that plays football, baseball and water polo it’s great to read a collegiate athlete complementing his other sports got him to where he is today. Being from Florida I’m now a Hawkeyes fan! Keep it up Deacon!

Seth
1 year ago

Maybe he should join the Iowa water polo club

DP Spellman
Reply to  Seth
1 year ago

1. Great offseason training supplemental fitness activity!
2. The total points scored in games would be similar given Brian Ferentz’s non-dynamic and uncreative offensive schemes.

Disruptor
1 year ago

Hill estimated that he could throw a football “like 73, 74” yards

“Back in 82 I could throw a pigskin a quarter mile”. Uncle Rico (for the win).

Last edited 1 year ago by Disruptor
Winter Apple
1 year ago

I don’t know if you guys have watched Iowa football but this isn’t the compliment it appears to be. 37, 110, 115 passing yards last 3 games.

Former Big10
Reply to  Winter Apple
1 year ago

Ferentz is one of the all time greats, you don’t know what you’re watching.

In all seriousness, it’s too bad that Iowa has had such poor leaders in their athletic department.

ScottyJ 2.0, LLC
Reply to  Winter Apple
1 year ago

Being forced to watch the upcoming Iowa Minnesota game would be cruel and unusual punishment for prisoners

612
Reply to  ScottyJ 2.0, LLC
1 year ago

Then give me a jumpsuit, I love defense.

DP Spellman
Reply to  Winter Apple
1 year ago

The most dynamic and effective part of Iowa’s offensive strategy in football is the outstanding Aussie punter! 500 plus yards last game ?!?!

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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