Spring practice has begun for Iowa Football! The Iowa Hawkeyes have begun preparing for the 2025 season as they completed their first spring practice on March 26. The Hawkeyes will have a total of 15 spring practices.
The coaching staff uses spring practices to develop and teach players before discussing strategy.
Spring Ball is 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 🐤#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/92xuJRlKqe
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) March 26, 2025
Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz enters his 27th year as head coach and looks forward to starting the 2025 season.
During his post-practice media interview, Ferentz mentioned this is one of his favorite times of the year because he can be around the players and not worry about strategy. He noted the offseason was quiet, but that does not bother him.
Every year brings together a new team, and Ferentz was adamant that everyone must adjust. Five mid-year transfers and 10 freshmen joined the program in 2025. Iowa also has three new coaches on staff.
Omar Young replaced Ladell Betts as the new running backs coach after Betts joined the New York Giants. Cedric Nah is joining the staff as the new strength and condition specialist, and Warren Ruggiero is joining as the new senior analyst.
Ferentz was asked multiple questions during his 38-minute interview, but three items stood out.
Ferentz's refusal to embrace the transfer portal
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have become a staple of college football. Players seek the best financial deals to set them up for the future. A large part of the process is the use of the transfer portal. Players enter the transfer portal if they do not like their current financial situation or playing time.
Ferentz made it a point to address the transfer portal and its use during his media availability after the first spring practice. He stated Iowa will not build a roster out of the portal. The program is looking for players who appreciate the ultimate team experience.
Ferentz also noted the Hawkeyes had the lowest number of transfers join the program from the portal. The Iowa program prefers to build from within, and Ferentz continues to believe in their methods.
"Hopefully, it's the right thing to do. It's what we believe in."Head Coach Kirk Ferentz
Ferentz stated he has not received a lot of attrition, and he is happy about that.
Ferentz's refusal to embrace the transfer portal will be a big story as NIL continues to become a larger part of the collegiate sports landscape.
The health of Mark Gronowski
Quarterback Mark Gronowski was a big offseason acquisition from the transfer portal by the Iowa Hawkeyes. Gronowski joined the Hawkeyes from South Dakota State after a record-setting career.
Gronowski threw for 10,330 yards and 93 touchdowns and rushed for 1,767 yards and 37 touchdowns in his four seasons with the Jackrabbits. He also won two FCS National Championships and tied the FCS record with 49 career wins.
Gronowski is ranked the top quarterback in the transfer portal and the no. 4 overall quarterback by ESPN.
After committing to the Hawkeyes on January 3, the team announced Gronowski would undergo surgery to repair an injury he played through during the 2024 season with South Dakota. Ferentz was asked extensively about Gronowski's progress.
Ferentz noted the staff is taking a conservative approach with Gronowski to ensure he is fully healthy. Gronowski is not cureretly with the team, but should begin throwing soon.
Ferentz also made it a point to mention he is not worried about adding Gronowski to the team dynamic because he has played a lot of football and is smarter than the "whole coaching staff combined."
Gronowski is penciled in as QB1 for the Hawkeyes for the 2025 season, but Ferentz did not specifically name Gronowski as the starter.
The quarterback depth chart
The official 2025 quarterback depth chart has a long way to go before the season begins. Mark Gronowski is the anticipated starter, but the length of time he will need to rehab his injury is unknown. The Hawkeyes need a backup plan if Gronowski is not healthy to start the season.
Ferentz was asked multiple times how the quarterback depth chart would look behind Gronowski, but he did not give any specifics. He noted he is excited about the guys in the room, but does not know much about them.
The Hawkeyes have several new faces in the quarterback room, including Gronowski, sophomore transfer Hank Brown, and freshman Jimmy Sullivan. They join returning quarterbacks Brendan Sullivan and Jackson Stratton.
Brendan Sullivan was the starting quarterback for the Hawkeyes after senior transfer Cade McNamara was ineffective and suffered an injury mid-way through the 2024 season. Sullivan was a breath of fresh air for Hawkeyes fans after he took over for McNamara.
Ferentz has multiple quarterbacks at his disposal for the first time in many years. The quarterback room is deep, but Ferentz would not commit to ranking them on the depth chart.
The Hawkeyes continue to ramp up their preparation for the 2025 season. The Hawkeyes have 14 spring practices remaining, including an open practice for public viewing on April 26.