Deuce Hogan looking forward to beginning college career at Iowa

As he finishes up his senior year of high school, quarterback Deuce Hogan is getting ready to take the next step and begin his college career at the University of Iowa. We caught up with the 6-foot-4, 207-pound Hogan this week to discuss his training during the pandemic, how his recruiting class holds one another accountable, goals for his freshman year, and much more.

Q: What has it been like for you during the whole pandemic as you wrap up your senior year of high school?

HOGAN: It’s been different. It’s one of those things where you can’t prepare for it. For me, I’ve just been trying to look at it as more time with my family. I’ve spent a lot of time at home and a lot of time with my family.

Q: Are you just online for classes the rest of the way?

HOGAN: Yes sir, we’re finishing the year online.

Q: Training wise, how are you handling it right now as far working out and throwing?

HOGAN: Well, I get to throw some out on the field and then I’m conditioning a whole lot. I have a few free weights that I’m able to do, so right now I’m just trying to sustain because I don’t have a squat rack or all the big tools. But I’m doing a lot of throwing and a lot of running, trying to be in the best shape I can be.

Q: What have you heard as far as when you might get to arrive at Iowa? Is there a tentative date?

HOGAN: No sir, not that I know of. I haven’t seen one yet. I’ve just been talking to Coach O’Keefe and just trying to stay up to date on everything. I think they announced that our courses for this summer will be online, but I’m not sure yet if we’ll be taking the online courses from home or in Iowa City.

Q: Prior to all this, you were going to get there and start classes in June?

HOGAN: Yes sir. My move in date was going to be June 13.

Q: As a recruiting class, do you stay in contact with all the guys and how they are dealing with this?

HOGAN: Yes sir. We have a big group message where a lot of us will send videos of our workouts or of us will ask, “Did everybody get their work in today?” It’s just kind of a source of accountability. Then I’ve also been playing Fortnite with some of the guys too, so it’s kind of a constant stream of communication.

Q: Were you able to talk to Elijah Yelverton or some of the other guys that enrolled early in January to get a read on what their experience was like while it lasted?

HOGAN: Yeah. I’ve probably talked more to Mason Richman than anyone else. For him, it’s like a weird in between phase right now because he’s not in high school, but he’s not up at college anymore either. It’s just odd. He said they loved what they were doing up there and loved Doyle’s training program, but now it’s just kind of a weird time that was really unexpected. Once you’ve worked so hard to get there for so many years, it kind of sucks to come right back home.

Q: For you, when you look ahead to when you do get to Iowa, what are your goals for your freshman year?

HOGAN: It’s kind of hard to put into words because I don’t know what’s going to happen when I get there. I don’t know what the entire plan is for my four years because it’s so far out there, but I can tell you that anything that I can control I’m going to do it to the best of my ability. My goal for next year is to just be the best Deuce Hogan that I can be. I’m a team first guy - that’s how my mindset has always been and always will be - so if that means if something crazy happens and I take the reins next year then I’m going to do everything I can to have success, but if that means I’m going to be a backup or a scout team player, then that’s what I’m going to do. It’s hard to say I want the job or give you statistics I’m trying to accomplish. I just know that I’m going to try to be the best I can be and play whatever role they need me to play.

Q: Going along with that, as far as playing or redshirting, you are just going to let that work itself out?

HOGAN: Yes sir. I’m going to do the best that I can and I trust the coaches to make the best decision.

Q: What has Coach O’Keefe told you about the quarterback room this year with Nate Stanley graduated and one of the backups, Peyton Mansell, having transferred?

HOGAN: I know that Spencer is in place to take the reins. To be the quarterback at the University of Iowa, it’s a big deal and by no means is it easy. There’s a reason throughout the years that Iowa hasn’t had a bunch of freshmen quarterbacks come in and take over. It’s not always an ability thing. You have to be able to go in there and digest an NFL playbook and it’s a big task. I know Spencer is the next man up, but I also know that every single season I’ll get the opportunity to compete and that’s all I can really ask for. I don’t want anything given to me. Even if Spencer starts for a year or two, I do want the ability to compete for that job ever year. As far as I know, the battle for the backup job is open and every season the starting job will be up in the air.

Q: With your workouts as you prepare for college, is there anything specific you are trying to fine-tune?

HOGAN: Definitely my footwork. I got away with being sloppy at times in high school because I could strong-arm things. I was never really in a situation where I had to be super disciplined with my feet. I’ve been able to escape the pocket, I’ve been able to sidearm some throws, and get away with some sloppiness, but at the next level it doesn’t matter how strong your arm is, if the ball is not out on time it’s going to be going the other way. Honestly, other than that, I’m just excited to get in Coach Doyle’s strength and conditioning program in general. All of the results that people talk about and the results that I’ve seen, I’m excited to be a part of that.

Q: With the playbook, is that something you get once you actually arrive on campus or is there some of that you can learn now?

HOGAN: That’s more when I get there I’ll get the entire playbook and stuff.

Q: Have you heard if you’ll get to wear #2 at Iowa since Mansell transferred?

HOGAN: Yes sir, I did get #2. Coach O’Keefe actually messed with me a little bit. I saw Isaiah Bruce posted that he got his number from Coach Bell, so I texted Coach O’Keefe to ask about mine. He said, “Yeah, you’re double deuces, #22.” I was thinking, “Okay, it could be worse. We’ll go with it.” Then I asked him, “Do you know who is getting Mansell’s number?” He said, “I’m just messing with you. You’ve got #2.” I was like, “Awesome.”

Q: When you look back at it all, you committed to Iowa almost two years ago. What was it back then and since then that made it the right place for you?

HOGAN: It’s the people and the opportunity that it provides for relationships to get to the next level. The people are as genuine as they come, it’s a pro-style system, and they put a lot of guys in the NFL.

A four-star prospect, Hogan chose Iowa over scholarship offers from Baylor, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Colorado, Iowa State, Boston College, Syracuse, Houston, Louisiana Tech, and Tulsa, and stuck with his decision even after interest from Clemson and several others.

As a senior, Hogan finished the season 159/291 passing (54.6%) for 2,362 yards with 30 touchdowns and six interceptions.

See highlights from Hogan's senior year at Grapevine Faith Christian in the video below.