With Mark Gronowski taking snaps last season, Iowa’s offense turned a corner-and not just in scheme, but in identity. Long known for its traditional pocket passers and a conservative, pro-style approach under Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes added a new wrinkle: the quarterback run game.
And it wasn’t a gimmick. It was a game-changer.
Gronowski, known for his arm, proved just as dangerous with his legs. He rushed for 545 yards and punched in 16 touchdowns on the ground-both single-season records for an Iowa quarterback.
That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. It was clear that new offensive coordinator Tim Lester had installed a system that leaned into Gronowski’s dual-threat skill set, and the results spoke for themselves.
Looking ahead, it seems Iowa isn’t planning to slow down that evolution. Jeremy Hecklinski, the projected starter for 2026, brings a similar profile-mobile, athletic, and capable of extending plays with his feet. The Hawkeyes appear committed to building on this new offensive identity, and their recruiting board reflects that.
Enter Jamison Roberts.
The 2027 quarterback out of Saraland High School in Mobile, Alabama, just trimmed his list of top schools, and Iowa made the cut. He’s down to eight programs: Auburn, Oklahoma, Duke, Iowa, Ole Miss, Northwestern, Arkansas, and Kentucky. It’s a competitive group, heavy on SEC presence, and Iowa’s inclusion says a lot about how the Hawkeyes are positioning themselves nationally.
Roberts is a rising name in the 2027 class, and it’s easy to see why. Last season, he put up video-game numbers: 3,370 passing yards and 37 touchdowns through the air, plus 641 rushing yards and 21 scores on the ground.
That’s 58 total touchdowns as a junior. He’s not just a dual-threat quarterback-he’s a dynamic playmaker who can take over a game in multiple ways.
Recruiting services are starting to take notice. Rivals currently ranks him as a three-star prospect, the No. 16 overall player in Alabama, and the No. 27 quarterback in the class.
247Sports has him similarly slotted-three stars, No. 15 in Alabama, and No. 21 among quarterbacks. Those numbers could climb quickly if he continues on this trajectory.
One interesting wrinkle? Alabama isn’t on his final list. Whether the Crimson Tide didn’t offer or Roberts simply didn’t see the fit, it’s notable when a top in-state talent is looking elsewhere-especially when his game fits so well with the modern college football landscape.
As for Iowa, they’re clearly betting on a new kind of quarterback to lead their offense into the future. If Roberts ends up in black and gold, he’d be the next in a growing line of dual-threat signal-callers shaping a fresh era in Iowa City.
For now, the Hawkeyes are in the mix. And if recent history is any indication, they know exactly what they’re looking for.