With all eyes on the postseason, the Hawkeyes will have only one more game with quarterback Mark Gronowski under center.
While the passing game never really got going this season, Gronowski's leadership and running ability added an extra dimension to the Iowa offense.
Gronowski finished the regular season with 1,529 passing yards and eight touchdowns, doing most of his damage on the ground.
He set two new Iowa program records for rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season (491) and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season (15).
As Gronowski heads toward graduation after this season, the Hawkeyes have multiple options on the roster and externally to replace him.
It is unknown whether Iowa will look internally or to the transfer portal to replace him, but here are the top three options to consider before next season.
No. 1: Jeremy Hecklinski
Jeremy Hecklinski did not play much this season, but his hard work and effort in practice moved him up the depth chart.
During Iowa's heartbreaking 20-15 loss to Indiana, Gronowski was injured on a scramble in the fourth quarter and was unable to return to the game.
At that time, Hank Brown was Iowa's backup, and he failed to help Iowa complete the upset.
Brown faced a challenging situation against a top-ranked defensive unit and struggled, completing only 5 of 13 passes and throwing an interception.
There was no need for a backup to play for several weeks following that loss, but in mop-up duty against Minnesota, it was Hecklinski, not Brown, that entered the game.
He was not asked to do much, but he completed his only pass attempt for six yards and rushed for a touchdown in Iowa's 41-3 win.
Hecklinski's entrance into the game shows the coaching staff has confidence in him, and that confidence is growing.
Before transferring to Iowa, Hecklinski was the highest-ranked quarterback prospect to ever sign with the Demon Deacons, and he has the inside track to be QB1 for the Hawkeyes next season after getting a year in the system.
No. 2: Tradon Bessinger
Weapon from out West 🏹@TradonBessinger x #Swarm26 pic.twitter.com/wFUOvvrv7g
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) December 3, 2025
The Hawkeyes got some great news before their matchup with Oregon regarding a talented quarterback prospect they were trying to flip from Boise State.
Four-star prospect Tradon Bessinger visited Iowa City during the win over Minnesota and promptly reopened his recruitment.
After a short time, he announced his commitment to the Hawkeyes, giving them a player with a huge arm.
Shortly after early signing day, Bessinger told 247Sports that he is not here to hand the ball off, and they want him to sling it.
During his high school career, Bessinger compiled 10,908 passing yards and 127 touchdowns, including throwing for 4,313 yards and 53 touchdowns as a senior.
While Bessinger excels in the pocket, he has the athletic ability to make throws on the run and has shown the ability to escape the pocket.
Give this kid a year in Iowa's system and he will be ready to take over.
No. 3: the transfer portal
With Name, Image, and Likeness expanding alongside newly developed revenue-sharing programs, there is no reason why the Hawkeyes can't snag another talented quarterback in the portal.
Iowa fans are split on whether to develop a quarterback in-house or sign one from the portal, but there's no reason the program can't put out feelers to all the talented quarterbacks in the portal.
Gronowski was a solid addition to the Hawkeyes this season. Still, there are never guarantees that a transfer quarterback will be a good fit for the program (Cade McNamara, we're looking at you).
If Iowa wants more time to develop Hecklinski, Bessinger, Brown, and Jimmy Sullivan, a quick one-and-done, or a short-term solution in the portal is the way to go.
It will be interesting to see what the program decides for next season, especially as the January transfer portal window opens.