(Iowa City, IA) — When you talk to Iowa Hawkeye fans, what is the one position that has troubled the football team in recent years? The answer is usually quarterback but Head Coach Kirk Ferentz might have solved that problem — today former South Dakota St. QB Mark Gronowski has announced his decision to transfer to the University of Iowa.
According to ESPN, Gronowski is the top remaining quarterback remaining in the portal and is ranked #4 overall of all the quarterbacks that entered it and ESPN ranks him #19 overall. Gronowski visited Iowa this past Friday and made his decision to become a Hawkeye quickly.
For the past four seasons, Gronowski was one of the most prolific passers in the country at FCS South Dakota St. The 6-foot-3 quarterback threw for 10,330 yards passing and 93 touchdowns, with just 20 total interceptions. He also showed his running ability, scrambling for 1,767 yards and 37 touchdowns. He led the Jackrabbits to back to back national championships in 2022 and 2023 and on both occasions he was the championship game MVP.
Gronowski enters a crowded quarterback room that is full of transfers. Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan has battled injuries and had an up and down performance in the Music City Bowl. Colorado St. transfer Jackson Stratton got the start at Maryland when Cade McNamara and Sullivan were both injured. Finally, Iowa had already landed transfer Hank Brown from Auburn who still has three seasons of eligibility remaining. Iowa has signed two quarterbacks in its 2025 recruiting class — Jimmy Sullivan and Ryan Fitzgerald who is a preferred walk on.
Iowa’s offense and particularly the passing game needs a boost. Iowa was 129th out of 130 teams in scoring offense in 2023, averaging 15.4 points per game. The Hawkeyes improved this season under new Offensive Coordinator Tim Lester, averaging 27.7 points per game to rise to No. 72 in the rankings.
