Iowa hosting South Dakota State QB Mark Gronowski

South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski is visiting Iowa on Friday, a source tells On3. The two-time national champion is tied for the all-time FCS record for wins with 49.

Iowa has been in search of a starting quarterback for much of this offseason. The Hawkeyes added Auburn transfer Hank Brown and return Brendan Sullivan, who played in 10 games this season and threw for 475 yards and three touchdowns.

Iowa previously recruited Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula, who took a visit to Iowa City but ultimately committed to Missouri. Gronowski is a grad transfer and also considering entering the 2025 NFL draft.

South Dakota State head coach Jimmy Rogers was recently hired at Washington State. Together with Gronowski at SDSU, Gronowski threw for 10,330 career yards, rushed for 1,767 and combined for 130 total touchdowns.

“The five seasons I’ve spent at South Dakota State have been incredible, both athletically and academically,” Mark Gronowski wrote in a statement on X. “I knew how special this place was when I first arrived, but no words can truly capture how amazing it has been.”

The quarterback is following a similar move as Cam Ward, who transferred from Washington State to Miami last offseason but seriously considered entering the NFL draft. Gronowski’s 49 FCS wins are one short of the FBS record of 50, which was set by Boise State’s Kellen Moore.

Along with his two national championships, the South Dakota State transfer won the Walter Payton Award for the top FCS offensive player in 2023. He is a Walter Payton Award finalist again this year.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound quarterback recently accepted an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl.