With Mark Gronowski under center, the Iowa offense unlocked a whole new side of the playbook that no one saw coming.
Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa program have always valued pocket passers with big arm talent to lead the offense, and while Gronowski could sling it, he was much more valuable with his legs last season.
Gronowski rushed for 545 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground this season, both program records, and that did not happen by accident.
With Tim Lester in charge of the offense, the quarterback running element has become a solidified part of the new-look Iowa offense.
Jeremy Hecklinski, Iowa's projected starting quarterback in 2026, has a lot of those same traits, and the program seemingly wants to keep the trend going.
2027 dual-threat QB prospect Jamison Roberts has Iowa in his top eight
After offering 2027 quarterback prospect Jamison Roberts, the Iowa program recently got some good news regarding his potential signing.
🚨NEWS🚨 QB Jamison Roberts is down to Auburn, Oklahoma, Duke, Iowa, Ole Miss, Northwestern, Arkansas and Kentucky, @ChadSimmons_ reports🎯
— Rivals (@Rivals) February 9, 2026
Read: https://t.co/mfFbVWx4Hf pic.twitter.com/vd3FUJXx1H
Roberts narrowed his choices down to eight, with the Hawkeyes making the list alongside multiple SEC powerhouses.
Shockingly, Roberts, who currently plays for Saraland High School in Mobile, Alabama, does not have the Crimson Tide in his final eight choices.
There is no telling whether Alabama didn't offer him, or the program wasn't the right fit, but a talented Alabama native going elsewhere is an interesting note.
Roberts is quickly rising up recruiting boards after a dominating display of his dual-threat abilities last season for the Saraland Spartans' offense last season.
As a junior, Roberts tallied 3,370 passing yards and 37 touchdowns through the air, while also adding 641 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 104 carries.
Rivals has currently ranked Roberts as a three-star prospect, Alabama's No. 16 overall prospect, and the No. 27 overall quarterback prospect in the 2027 recruiting class.
247Sports has ranked Roberts as a three-star prospect, Alabama's No. 15 overall prospect, and the No. 21 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class.
Even though the Hawkeyes are currently on Roberts' list of eight destinations, Rivals currently predicts that he will sign with the Oklahoma Sooners.