Iowa football’s FCS transfer additions called two of the best gems

The newest Midwestern pipeline appears to be running from the South Dakota State Jackrabbits to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

This offseason, Iowa and head coach Kirk Ferentz dipped their feet into the transfer portal and came out with instant contributors on both sides of the ball. Two of them come from the FCS ranks with the Jackrabbits and are primed to play a big part in Iowa’s 2025-26 college football season.

Mark Gronowski, quarterback, and Bryce Hawthrone, defensive line, are viewed as two of the best FCS gems joining FBS programs per CBS Sports’ Will Backus.

The Hawkeyes added QB Mark Gronowski, a two-time national champion, who is in line to be the starter and provide Iowa with a more experienced, talented signal caller than they have had in quite some time.

Mark Gronowski, QB, Iowa

Previous school: South Dakota State | 247Sports Transfer Ranking: No. 377 OVR, No. 26 QB

Though Gronowski missed most of spring practice due to a surgical procedure that will have him out until the summer, Brendan Sullivan’s decision to transfer out of Iowa signals that the former South Dakota State star will lead the Hawkeyes in 2025. Few quarterback transfers come as accomplished as Gronowski. He won two FCS national titles with the Jackrabbits and was back-to-back game MVP in 2023-24, and he was the 2023 Walter Payton Award as the FCS’s top offensive player. He also brings 10,330 yards and 93 touchdowns passing plus 37 touchdowns rushing to Iowa. – Backus, CBS Sports

On the other side of the ball, Iowa is always stout in the trenches, and Bryce Hawthorne only infuses more talent to a group up from,t which is returning a ton of production and talent under defensive coordinator Phil Parker.

Bryce Hawthorne, DL, Iowa

Previous school: South Dakota State | 247Sports Transfer Ranking:No. 188 OVR, No. 30 DL 

In 2024 — his first full season as…

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Publish date : 2025-05-01 14:15:00

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