Iowa lands Gronowski as transfer from South Dakota State

Posted January 07, 2025 6:22 pm

By The Associated Press

Mark Gronowski, the prolific quarterback who led South Dakota State to two FCS national championships and to the semifinals this season, announced on social media Tuesday that he'll play his final season at Iowa.

The Neuqua Valley High School graduate had considered entering the NFL draft before visiting Iowa City last weekend. He immediately becomes the projected 2025 starter, even though the Hawkeyes return Brendan Sullivan, who said two weeks ago he welcomed the competition.

Gronowski threw for 2,719 yards and 23 touchdowns this season as the Jackrabbits went 12-3 with a loss to eventual national champion North Dakota State in the Football Championship Subdivision semifinals.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder was the 2023 Walter Payton Award winner as the top offensive player in the FCS. He has passed for 10,309 yards and 93 touchdowns, figures that rank second among active FCS players, and was 49-6 as the Jackrabbits' starter with national titles in 2022 and 2023. As a freshman, he was the starter on the team that reached the national championship game.

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