Mark Gronowski Delivers Record-Breaking Season for Iowa, and the Hawkeyes Are Already Eyeing Their Next QB
When Iowa brought in Mark Gronowski from South Dakota State, they were hoping to find stability under center. What they got was something far more special. In his lone season in Iowa City, Gronowski didn't just manage the offense-he rewrote the record books.
Coming off a prolific career at SDSU, where he racked up over 10,000 passing yards and 93 touchdowns, Gronowski arrived with plenty of hype. But his journey with the Hawkeyes didn’t start smoothly.
A shoulder injury delayed his debut until the summer, and the early part of the season came with its fair share of growing pains. Then, the switch flipped.
By season’s end, Gronowski had etched his name into the program’s history, setting two significant records: most rushing yards in a single season by a quarterback (491), and most rushing touchdowns by a QB in a season (15). It was a dual-threat showcase that gave Iowa's offense a new identity-and gave fans a reason to believe again.
His impact went beyond the stat sheet. Gronowski’s performance helped erase the sting of past transfer portal misfires, and now, with his eligibility expired, Iowa is once again in the market for a quarterback who can take the reins.
Enter Marcus Stokes.
The West Florida standout has quickly become one of the more intriguing names in the transfer portal. After a standout season with the Argonauts, Stokes is drawing interest from programs across the country-including Iowa.
At 6'2", 210 pounds, he brings a mix of arm talent and mobility that’s hard to ignore. This past season, he threw for 3,297 yards and 30 touchdowns, while also adding 367 yards and 10 scores on the ground.
That kind of production earned him a spot as a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy-the Division II equivalent of the Heisman.
Stokes’ path to this point has been anything but conventional. Once a highly touted four-star recruit out of Nease High School in Florida, he originally committed to the University of Florida before controversy derailed that opportunity. He landed at West Florida in 2023 and has since rebuilt his profile with strong play and a fearless style that’s drawn comparisons to NFL quarterback Kenny Pickett.
With Gronowski moving on, the Hawkeyes’ quarterback room is full of promise-but light on experience. Jeremy Hecklinski, Hank Brown, and Jimmy Sullivan are all on the roster, but none have taken meaningful snaps at the college level. Iowa also flipped Tradon Bessinger from Boise State, a talented prospect with upside, but again-unproven.
That’s why the Hawkeyes are doing their homework on Stokes. Bringing in a quarterback who’s already produced at the college level-albeit at the D-II level-could give Iowa a much-needed bridge between raw talent and on-field execution.
As the transfer portal continues to reshape college football, Iowa finds itself at a familiar crossroads. They struck gold with Gronowski. Now, with a new season on the horizon and the most important position on the field up for grabs, they’re hoping to catch lightning in a bottle once again.