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USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football QB Mark Gronowski named to 2025 Maxwell Award watch list
🏆 @mgronowski11 ➡️ 𝐌𝐚𝐱𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭@MaxwellFootball x #Hawkeyes As the 2025 college football season swiftly approaches, Iowa football's presumptive starting quarterback, Mark Gronowski, has landed himself a spot on the 2025 Maxwell Award watch list, announced by the Maxwell Football Club on Monday. The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, the native of Naperville, Illinois, will be in his first and final season with the Hawkeyes after transferring from South Dakota State, where he led the Jackrabbits to a pair of FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023. Gronowski was the 2023 FCS statistical leader in passing efficiency (179.67) and compiled a 49-6 career record as the Jackrabbits' starting quarterback, with the 49 wins tying for the most wins in history by an FCS quarterback. Gronowski has already won the FCS equivalent of the Maxwell Award, when he secured the 2023 Walter Payton Award with South Dakota State. The Maxwell Award has been awarded to College Football's Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert Maxwell for his contributions to the game as a player, sportswriter, and official. Only two Hawkeyes have ever won the high distinction in the award's history: halfback Nile Kinnick in 1939 and quarterback Chuck Long in 1985. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 11, while finalists for the distinction will be revealed on Nov. 25. The winner will be announced on Dec. 11. While the list is quite expansive at the moment, Gronowski will have an excellent opportunity to prove he is worthy of the award with a potentially historic Iowa season on the horizon. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
5 Underrated College Football Transfers Who Could Shine in 2025
The transfer portal continues to reshape college football. While the biggest names grab the headlines, several overlooked players are in position to make a major impact this fall. These five transfers might not be getting national attention - yet - but don't be surprised if they become household names by season's end. Brown brings a dangerous mix of speed and experience to LSU after three standout seasons at Kentucky. The former top-300 recruit from Nashville totaled 1,528 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, while also becoming one of the most explosive return men in the country. His five career kickoff return touchdowns lead all active FBS players. Now in Baton Rouge, Brown is expected to be a key piece in a loaded Tigers offense. Davis was quietly one of the top defensive backs in the Pac-12 last season. He broke up 15 passes and didn't allow a single touchdown in coverage. After withdrawing from the portal once already, Davis made the move to Washington and will now anchor a secondary that needs playmakers in its first year as a Big Ten member. A two-sport athlete and former blue-chip recruit, Robinson showed flashes of his potential at USC with 747 receiving yards and seven scores across two seasons. He heads to Tallahassee with a chance to become a key weapon in Florida State's vertical passing game. His size and athleticism will give defenses fits, especially in red-zone situations. Related: Florida State Football Preview 2025: The Seminoles Hit the Refresh Button Fields might be one of the most reliable wideouts in the country that few talked about. He caught 113 passes for 1,619 yards and 10 touchdowns the past two seasons at Virginia. At 6-foot-4, he gives the Irish a big-bodied target who can win contested catches and move the chains. After dominating the FCS level, Gronowski brings a proven track record to Iowa. He accounted for over 12,000 total yards and 130 touchdowns at South Dakota State, capturing the Walter Payton Award in 2023. If Iowa's offense takes a step forward this season, the experienced dual-threat quarterback will likely be the reason why. Related: Iowa Football Preview 2025: The Hawkeyes Are Set For A 10-Win Season © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football QB Mark Gronowski receives deflating Big Ten ranking from On3
With the 2025-26 college football season just around the corner, On3's Andy Staples released his top ten rankings of Big Ten quarterbacks Tuesday morning, which ranked Iowa football quarterback Mark Gronowski in a questionable spot. While the top of Staples' rankings was headlined by Penn State's Drew Allar at No. 1, Illinois' Luke Altmyer at No. 2, and Indiana's Fernando Mendoza at No. 3, Gronowski was given a very unappreciative spot of No. 10 on the list. Given Gronowski's lore at the FCS-level, the No. 10 spot is quite a jab at the high-expectations Hawkeyes fans have for both the quarterback and offensive output this season. 6-foot-3, 230-pound signal caller transferred to Iowa from the FCS-level powerhouse South Dakota State in the offseason with one year of eligibility remaining and was a prized addition to the Hawkeyes, as he carries significant quarterback prestige. During his time with the Jackrabbits, Gronowski passed for 10,308 yards and 93 touchdowns while holding a 63.5% completion percentage. His mobility with the football was also a strength, as he rushed for 1,767 career yards and 37 touchdowns. He would finish his South Dakota State tenure with a 49-6 record as a starter, a two-time FCS National Champion and National Championship Game MVP, 2023 Walter Payton Award winner (given to the most outstanding FCS player), and a 2023 First-team FCS All-American. While Iowa's offensive output has been hindered in years past by inadequate quarterback play and ineffective playcalling, the No. 10 ranking should serve as a motivator for both Gronowski and offensive coordinator Tim Lester as the Hawkeyes begin their 2025-26 campaign in late August. Gronowski and the Hawkeyes open the season against FCS-level Albany on Aug. 30 from Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on FS1. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football 2025 season positional preview: Quarterbacks
Since 2020, Iowa football fans have been waiting for an answer at the quarterback position. Following the graduation of Nate Stanley, the Hawkeyes have gone through numerous quarterback options including Spencer Petras, Alex Padilla, Cade McNamara and Deacon Hill with little success. It's been frustrating for fans to watch a great defense and special teams get let down consistently by subpar quarterback play. But, for the first time in half a decade, that position might have an answer. This is the first part of my Iowa football positional previews for the 2025 season. Starting with quarterback, I'll go position by position down the Iowa roster and update you on the key players for the Hawks in 2025. So, grab your popcorn and a comfortable seat and let's get started. Starter: Mark Gronowski 2024 stats: 2,721 passing yards, 23 TDs, 7 INTs, 61% completion at South Dakota State The arrival of Mark Gronowski on campus has many Hawkeye fans excited about the quarterback position in 2025. Gronowski was a four-year starter for the Jackrabbits, leading them to a pair of FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023. Gronowski won the 2023 Walter Payton Award, given to the most outstanding FCS player. He was a first-team FCS All-American in 2023 as well. In total, he went 49-6 as a starter with 10,308 passing yards and 93 touchdowns while completing 63.5% of his passes. Gronowski had offseason shoulder surgery that limited his work in spring ball, but all signs point toward him being good to go for upcoming practices and the regular season. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound signal caller has ideal size for the position and is very mobile, as illustrated by his 1,767 career rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns with the Jackrabbits. If he plays up to his ability in 2025, Iowa could make some national noise. Projected Backup: Hank Brown 2024 stats: 27-43 for 403 passing yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs across four games at Auburn Iowa has a few options for the primary backup to Gronowksi, but I decided to go with the 6-foot-4, 208-pound Auburn transfer Hank Brown. A three-star prospect out of Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, Brown saw some action with the Tigers in 2024 after a redshirt season in 2023. While he wasn't great, Brown is still just a redshirt sophomore and has big-time experience from within the SEC. That experience plus his potential upside is enough for me to slot him into the projected backup role this season. And with Gronowski playing his final year in college, Brown will be a contender for the starting role in 2026. If Brown isn't the primary backup, it will be one of these other quarterback options. Other QB Options If Iowa can get legit production from its quarterbacks in 2025, it's going to be a fun season in Iowa City. We'll just have to wait and see what they get. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football lands commitment from 2025 OL Will Hahn
Iowa picked up a commitment from in-state 2025 offensive lineman Will Hahn out of Decorah High School. Hahn, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound lineman, accepted an offer as a preferred walk-on. The Decorah High School product was named first-team All-State by both the Iowa Football Coaches Association and by the Des Moines Register. Hahn joins a group of preferred walk-ons in the 2025 class that also includes quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald, defensive back Royce Heitman, kicker Caden Buhr, wide receiver Dylan Stecker and running back Braeden Jackson. Iowa's 2025 scholarship signees include quarterback Jimmy Sullivan, running back Nathan McNeil, tight ends Mason Woods, Eli Johnson and Thomas Meyer, wide receiver Terrence Smith, offensive lineman Lucas Allgeyer, defensive linemen Iose Epenesa and Brad Fitzgibbon, linebackers Burke Gautcher and Carson Cooney and defensive backs O'Lontae Dean, CJ Bell, Jacob Wallace and Drew MacPherson. The Hawkeyes also brought in nine players via the transfer portal. That group is headlined by quarterback Mark Gronowski, a two-time FCS national champion and the 2023 Walter Payton Award winner at South Dakota State. Iowa also signed South Dakota State transfer defensive lineman Bryce Hawthorne, Central Michigan defensive lineman Jonah Pace, South Dakota cornerback Shahid Barros, Purdue safety Ty Hudkins, Ferris State offensive tackle Bryce George, Chattanooga wide receiver Sam Phillips, Auburn quarterback Hank Brown and Wake Forest quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski. Here's a look at Hahn's senior highlights: Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnREF
