Mark Gronowski Keeps Rising: Shrine Bowl MVP Performance Caps Stellar Postseason Surge
If you’ve been following Mark Gronowski’s journey, you know he’s been steadily building momentum. But over the past few weeks, the Iowa quarterback has taken things to another level - and NFL scouts are taking notice.
Gronowski closed out the 2025 season in style, leading Iowa to a 9-4 finish punctuated by a standout showing in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Against Vanderbilt, he was in complete command - throwing for 212 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 54 rushing yards and a score on the ground. That dual-threat performance earned him MVP honors and gave evaluators a glimpse of what he can do when the lights are brightest.
But he wasn’t done.
Gronowski took that momentum into the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas - one of the premier college football all-star showcases - and delivered again. In a game designed to separate the NFL-ready from the rest, Gronowski looked the part.
He completed 7 of 10 passes for 86 yards in the first quarter alone and added 28 yards on the ground across three carries. That kind of efficiency and poise in a short window?
Exactly what scouts want to see in a setting like this.
And when the dust settled, Gronowski was named the Offensive MVP of the game, despite the West team pulling off a last-second 21-17 win. It wasn’t just about the stats - it was how he looked doing it. Confident in the pocket, decisive on his reads, and dangerous when the play broke down.
NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter didn’t hold back in his praise, calling Gronowski the “game’s best quarterback.” He highlighted the veteran’s ability to extend plays with his legs, deliver accurate throws on the move, and connect on deep balls - all traits that translate well to the next level.
One moment that really turned heads? Gronowski throwing a key block for Houston running back Dean Connors - a gritty, team-first play that quickly made the rounds on social media.
What we’re seeing is a quarterback playing his best football at the right time. Gronowski’s stock is climbing, and with the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, he’s putting together the kind of tape that front offices remember. He’s not just checking boxes - he’s making statements.
And if this trajectory holds, don’t be surprised when his name starts getting called earlier than expected come draft weekend.