Mark Gronowski Shines at East-West Shrine Bowl, Capping College Career with Grit, Poise, and a Pancake Block
If you’re an NFL scout looking for a quarterback who can do a little bit of everything - and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty - Mark Gronowski just gave you 86 passing yards, 28 rushing yards, and one highlight-reel block to chew on.
The Iowa signal-caller wrapped up his college career in style at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas, showing off the dual-threat skill set and competitive edge that made him QB1 for the Hawkeyes this past season. With the 2026 NFL Draft just around the corner, Gronowski made the most of one final opportunity to show he belongs on a pro roster.
And make no mistake - he delivered.
Making the Most of the Spotlight
The Shrine Bowl, now in its 100th year, has long been a proving ground for NFL hopefuls, and Gronowski treated it like a business trip. After a strong week of practice - good enough to earn him a spot on the West team’s All-Practice Team alongside Iowa teammate Kaden Wetjen - Gronowski got the start and wasted no time making his presence felt.
He played through the first quarter and into the second before handing the reins to Louisville’s Miller Moss, but in that short window, Gronowski was sharp, efficient, and composed. He completed 7 of 10 passes for 86 yards, threading throws into tight windows and showing off the kind of pocket awareness that doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet. When the play broke down, he didn’t panic - he used his legs, scrambling for 28 yards on three carries and picking up a few key first downs in the process.
The Play That Had Everyone Talking
But the moment that really turned heads wasn’t a throw or a run - it was a block.
Late in his final drive, Gronowski orchestrated an 82-yard scoring march that ended with a touchdown run by Houston’s Dean Connors. But what made the play special was what happened after Gronowski handed the ball off.
On an option run, Gronowski kept the defense honest by holding the ball until the last possible second before pitching it to Connors. Then, instead of stepping back and watching the play unfold, he rolled out to the left and threw himself into the action - literally - delivering a crushing block that helped spring Connors into the end zone.
That kind of effort doesn’t just fire up teammates - it sends a message to NFL teams: this guy is all-in. Every snap.
Every yard. Every block.
Final Impressions
Gronowski’s Shrine Bowl performance won’t go unnoticed. He was efficient through the air, decisive on the ground, and fearless in the trenches. That’s the kind of well-rounded, high-character quarterback play that gets attention - especially from teams looking for a late-round gem or a developmental QB with upside and grit.
For Gronowski, it was the perfect sendoff - a strong final chapter in a college career built on toughness, leadership, and making the most of every opportunity. If Tuesday night was any indication, he’s just getting started.