Iowa Lands Four-Star QB Tradon Bessinger, Signaling a New Era for Hawkeyes Offense
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The winds of change are blowing through Iowa City, and they might just be carrying a rocket-armed quarterback with them.
In a late recruiting coup, Iowa head coach Tim Lester flipped four-star quarterback Tradon Bessinger from Boise State - a move that could become a defining moment in the evolution of Iowa’s offense. Bessinger, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound signal-caller with a live arm and real mobility, brings both upside and urgency to a program hungry for offensive identity.
And let’s be clear - this wasn’t just a lucky flip. Lester put in the work.
According to Iowa General Manager Tyler Barnes, Lester spent over four hours breaking down film with Bessinger during his visit. That kind of investment doesn’t go unnoticed by recruits - or their families.
“That’s why guys love Tim,” Barnes said. “It’s his passion, his energy. If you can’t feel that, we’re probably not on the right guy.”
A Changing Offensive Identity
For years, Iowa football has been defined by defense, special teams, and a grind-it-out offensive style. But under Lester, the Hawkeyes are trying to rewrite the script.
The 2025 season already showed signs of that shift. Quarterback Mark Gronowski, who’s now moving on, totaled over 2,000 yards of offense and set program records for rushing yards (491) and rushing touchdowns (15) by a quarterback.
His 10-game streak with a rushing touchdown set a Big Ten record.
That’s not just production - that’s momentum.
The offensive line, a Joe Moore Award finalist this season, has been a big part of the turnaround. So has the creativity in the run game.
But to truly flip the narrative, Iowa needs a quarterback who can stretch the field and keep defenses honest. Enter Bessinger.
Who Is Tradon Bessinger?
Bessinger isn’t just another arm in the room - he’s one of the most prolific passers in Utah high school football history. Over three seasons as a starter, he threw for 10,908 yards and 127 touchdowns, ranking eighth all-time in the state for passing yards and fourth in touchdowns. His senior year alone was jaw-dropping: 4,313 yards, 53 touchdowns, a 76% completion rate, and a state-record 333 completions.
This is a quarterback who doesn’t just rack up stats - he does it with efficiency and confidence. He’s athletic enough to escape pressure, and his arm talent allows him to make throws at all three levels. Most importantly, he’s not afraid to push the ball downfield - something Iowa’s offense has sorely lacked in recent years.
“His stats the last three years are pretty gaudy,” Barnes said. “It’s kind of incredible.”
Building the Future - One QB at a Time
Bessinger first visited Iowa in October. Not long after, he decommitted from Boise State.
The Hawkeyes had their shot, and they didn’t miss. Barnes, who had Bessinger as his top quarterback target from the beginning, knew that once the young quarterback sat down with Lester, things would click.
“We watched six to eight guys we really honed in on,” Barnes said. “I probably had Tradon as my top guy. Once we get a kid here, especially a quarterback, and you put him in front of Tim, you feel good about your chances.”
It’s the same formula that worked with Gronowski, who committed after a winter meeting with Lester last year. Now, Bessinger could be the next in line to lead Iowa’s offensive transformation.
What's Next?
With Gronowski moving on, the quarterback room will be wide open in 2026. Former Auburn transfer Hank Brown and Wake Forest transfer Jeremy Hecklinski are expected to compete for the job, but Bessinger’s arrival could shake things up - especially if he gets on campus early.
That’s still up in the air. Bessinger wants to finish his high school basketball season before enrolling, though Barnes is hoping to nudge him toward an early start.
“We’d love to get Tradon here early,” Barnes said. “He’s going to stay and play basketball this winter. I’m going to keep poking him a little bit.”
Regardless of when he arrives, Bessinger is already being viewed as a foundational piece for the future. His rise in the rankings has him flirting with top-10 status among quarterbacks in the 2026 class. More importantly, he fits the mold of what Iowa wants to become - dynamic, aggressive, and balanced on offense.
He knows the reputation. He knows the challenge. And he’s not backing down.
“I’m not going there to hand the ball off,” Bessinger told CBS Sports during Signing Day coverage. The Hawkeyes told him they want to throw the football - and he’s ready to be the face of that shift.
If Iowa’s offense is going to turn the corner for good, it needs a quarterback who can do more than manage games. It needs a playmaker. And in Tradon Bessinger, the Hawkeyes may have found just that.