Mark Gronowski accomplished something we have not seen in 14 years

This season wasn't just a record-breaking season for Head Coach Kirk Ferentz.

Arguably, the most important position on the football field is the quarterback, and the Iowa program got a good one via the January transfer portal window to begin 2025.

Former South Dakota State Jackrabbits star quarterback Mark Gronowski committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes after spending four seasons in Brookings, South Dakota.

Gronowski was dynamic with his legs and his arm at South Dakota State, compiling 10,330 passing yards and 93 touchdowns through the air, and 1,767 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground.

He also won the Walter Payton Award, given to the best player in the FCS.

With all his prior accolades, Gronowski had Iowa fans hyped for the season, but that quickly turned to dread after a rough start to his Iowa career.

Fans chastized Gronowski constantly through the first half of the season, but he stayed the course, becoming the winningest player in college football history.

He also shattered two Iowa program records for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in program history (491) and the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in program history (15).

Gronowski also added 54 rushing yards and a touchdown to his totals in the win over Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

After adding another rushing touchdown to his ledger, Gronowski tied a Big Ten Conference record that has stood for 14 years.

With his 16th rushing touchdown this season, Gronowski tied former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson (2011) for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season in Big Ten Conference history.

Gronowski's legacy was already solidified after his career at South Dakota State, but he added to his resume during his one and only season in Iowa City.

While he was often taken for granted this season, Gronowski is a proven winner who will leave the Iowa program better than he found it.