Iowa upgraded its porous passing offense in a big way Tuesday, landing former South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski in the transfer portal.
Gronowski, the 2023 FCS player of the year, entered the transfer portal last week and weighed playing one more college football season or entering the NFL. Four weeks ago, Gronowski accepted an invitation to compete in the East-West Shrine Bowl. He visited Iowa last Friday and Saturday before announcing his commitment on social media Tuesday. Gronowski was 49-6 as the Jackrabbits’ starting quarterback over four seasons.
COMMITTED!! #GoHawkeyes #LFG pic.twitter.com/HJdHHKPHkN
— Mark Gronowski (@mgronowski11) January 7, 2025
Gronowski, 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, led South Dakota State to FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023, a finals appearance in spring 2021 and the semifinals this year. Following the 2023 season, Gronowski won the Walter Payton Award, which is the FCS version of the Heisman Trophy. He is a Walter Payton Award finalist again this year.
This fall, Gronowski threw for 2,719 yards and 23 touchdowns and completed 61.1 percent of his passes. He also ran for 380 yards and 10 scores. In four seasons, Gronowski passed for 10,309 yards, 93 touchdowns and 20 interceptions and rushed for 1,767 yards and 37 touchdowns.
GO DEEPER
Mark Gronowski, lauded South Dakota State QB, enters transfer portal
The importance of this move cannot be understated for Iowa, which finished 8-5 this season. Among all FBS programs, the Hawkeyes’ passing game ranked ahead of only the three service academies in each of the last two seasons. Iowa made strides under new offensive coordinator Tim Lester and averaged 197.2 rushing yards per game, but the passing game produced just 127.1 yards per contest.
Injuries and ineffectiveness factored into Iowa’s issues this year, which led to three different quarterbacks starting games. Instability has plagued the position for years, however. All eight quarterbacks recruited as freshmen since 2017 plus three others brought in through the transfer portal have left the program with eligibility since 2021.
Although it’s for just one season, Gronowski instantly stabilizes that position for Iowa. He’s a natural pocket passer with a strong arm and can throw with touch. He also can run when scripted or in improvised situations. To top it off, Gronowski endears himself to his teammates, opting to play sleeveless during an FCS playoff game in December when the wind chill reached single digits. Gronowski hails from Naperville, Ill., which is located about three hours east of Iowa City and is a regular pipeline of students to the campus.
Will Gronowski start right away?
Gronowski walks in the door as the starter, although he will need to compete this spring to ratify that spot. Iowa also signed Auburn’s Hank Brown, who will be a sophomore, and return incoming senior Brendan Sullivan, who started the Music City Bowl. Incoming freshman Jimmy Sullivan will enroll this January and walk-on Jackson Stratton, who started the final two regular-season games, also provide competition.
(Photo: Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA Today)
