BY: KENNY VARNER
The Iowa Hawkeyes have been a model of consistency under longtime head coach Kirk Ferentz, posting at least eight wins in nine of the past ten seasons—the lone exception being the shortened 6-2 campaign during the COVID year. This is a stable and respected program, but one still chasing a breakthrough appearance in the College Football Playoff. If the offense can take a step forward and the Hawkeyes continue to field the type of defense they’re known for, this could be a team that proves tough to handle week in and week out.
The most important addition to the 2025 squad is quarterback Mark Gronowski, who transfers in from South Dakota State. A four-year starter for the Jackrabbits, Gronowski brings championship pedigree, having led SDSU to two FCS national titles. Over his career, he’s thrown for 10,330 yards with a completion percentage north of 60% and an impressive 93-20 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s also added 1,767 rushing yards, showing he can be a dual threat. South Dakota State leaned on a balanced, run-heavy offense, which should make Gronowski a good fit in Ferentz’s system.
Replacing star running back Kaleb Johnson will be no easy task. Johnson shredded defenses last season for 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. The hope is that Kamari Moulton and Jazion Patterson can fill the void in the backfield. Up front, the offensive line returns three starters, led by standout center Logan Jones—arguably one of the best in the Big Ten. Gennings Dunker is back at right tackle, while Beau Stephens returns at left guard. It’s a solid foundation, but the Hawkeyes will need a few more pieces to emerge during fall camp to solidify the unit.
At wide receiver, Iowa returns its top two targets, but production was limited a season ago. Jacob Gill led the team with just 35 catches for 411 yards, while Reece Vander Zee contributed only 14 receptions. Iowa’s ground-and-pound style means the tight ends will need to be big contributors. Addison Ostrenga and Zach Ortwerth are tasked with finding chemistry with Gronowski and becoming key safety valves in the passing game.
Defensively, Iowa has long been elite under Ferentz, and that identity is expected to hold even with some key losses. In 12 regular-season games last year, only two teams scored more than 21 points on the Hawkeyes—Ohio State and, somewhat inexplicably, Michigan State. Up front, defensive linemen Aaron Graves and Ethan Hurkett return as anchors. Graves recorded eight tackles for loss, while Hurkett led the team with 6.5 sacks. Iowa also bolstered the line with transfers Bryce Hawthorne (South Dakota State) and Jonah Price (Central Michigan).
The linebacking unit will need to be rebuilt, as Iowa lost significant production. Karson Sharar steps into a larger role, but he enters the season with only 21 career tackles, mostly from special teams. Jaden Harrell has seen some action but now must prove himself as a full-time starter. The secondary is solid but not elite. Cornerbacks Deshaun Lee and TJ Hall return but could be pushed in fall camp. Xavier Nwankpa is a reliable presence at safety, while Koen Entringer and others will need to emerge to complete the group.
Iowa has always won with defense, discipline, and avoiding mistakes. They’re rarely flashy, often doubted, yet almost always finish with 8-10 wins and a bowl appearance. This year’s defense might not look as dominant on paper, but with Phil Parker calling the shots, expect it to improve as the season goes on. Gronowski represents an upgrade at quarterback, but the ceiling will depend on whether the passing game can be more effective than in years past.
And yet, here we are again—many predicting Iowa to regress. A glance at the schedule tells a different story. Sandwiched between two winnable games is a tricky road trip to Iowa State on September 6th. The Hawkeyes also host conference heavyweights Oregon and Penn State, while late-season road games at Wisconsin and Nebraska loom large. Picking Iowa to slip to 6 or 7 wins is an annual tradition, but don’t be surprised when they once again defy expectations and finish with 8 or 9 wins—and a quality bowl game to cap it off.