The Iowa Hawkeyes are heading into the ReliaQuest Bowl with something they haven't had much of this season: a fully healthy roster.
It’s been a long, injury-riddled road for Iowa, especially on the offensive side of the ball. At one point or another, nearly every position group was hit - from the running backs to the offensive line, and even quarterback Mark Gronowski.
But now, with the bowl game just days away, the Hawkeyes are finally getting back to full strength - and just in time for a showdown with No. 14 Vanderbilt.
Let’s start with Gronowski. The starting quarterback went down with a knee injury late in the game against Indiana, missing the fourth quarter of that loss.
The injury lingered for a few weeks, but to his credit, Gronowski didn’t miss a start the rest of the way. That kind of toughness matters - not just for game planning, but for locker room morale.
Iowa’s offense has leaned on his leadership all season, and having him fully available for the bowl game is a major boost.
The offensive line, another unit that’s battled through its share of adversity, is also trending in the right direction. During the Hawkeyes’ loss to USC in California, starters Beau Stephens, Gennings Dunker, and Kade Pieper all exited with injuries.
But none of them missed time afterward - a testament to their resilience and the training staff’s ability to get them back on the field quickly. With that trio expected to be available, Iowa’s protection up front should be as solid as it’s been all year.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes have been relatively fortunate when it comes to injuries - especially in the secondary. That said, one key player has been noticeably absent: TJ Hall. The standout cornerback has been dealing with lingering issues that kept him off the field, and his name missing from the initial depth chart for the ReliaQuest Bowl raised some eyebrows.
But the latest update is exactly what Iowa fans were hoping to hear.
“He's doing well. He doesn't have a problem.”
That’s the word on Hall’s status, and it’s big. With him back in the lineup, Iowa regains its top cover corner - a player who can lock down one side of the field and allow defensive coordinator Phil Parker to get creative with his alignments. Hall’s return will push Deshaun Lee back to his more natural spot on the right side, while also giving Parker the flexibility to deploy Zach Lutmer in a variety of roles across the secondary.
This kind of depth and versatility is going to be crucial against a Vanderbilt offense that can stretch the field and score in a hurry. The Commodores bring speed and explosiveness, and Iowa’s defense will need all hands on deck to contain them. With Hall healthy, the Hawkeyes’ secondary - already trending upward in terms of takeaways - gets a major lift.
So, heading into Tampa, Iowa is as close to 100% as they’ve been in months. For a team that’s had to grind through a season of physical setbacks, that’s no small thing. The Hawkeyes aren’t just showing up for the ReliaQuest Bowl - they’re showing up ready.