Iowa signs five out of portal, Gronowski out until June

he University of Iowa football program has signed five players from the transfer portal to scholarship agreements, Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz announced Friday.

Iowa has added three offensive and two defensive players to its 2025 roster. All five will be eligible to play in the 2025 season.

“We are happy to welcome these five players into our Hawkeye program,” said Ferentz. “I am most excited about how each player fits into our program and brings a skillset that benefits our team.”

Quarterback Hank Brown (Nashville, Tennessee/Auburn), defensive linemen Bryce Hawthorne (Osseo, Minnesota/South Dakota State), Jonah Pace (Marengo, Illinois/Central Michigan) and wide receiver Sam Phillips (Cartersville, Georgia/Chattanooga) are expected to take part in practices throughout the spring football window. Quarterback Mark Gronowski (Naperville, Illinois/South Dakota State) will have surgery in the coming weeks and will not begin on-field team workouts until June.

“Mark played last season with a common football-related injury,” Ferentz said. “While he could have continued to play through the injury, Mark is choosing to have a procedure to address the issue, and we support him in his decision. Our sports medicine team thoroughly reviewed his records and has confidence he will be fully rehabbed in time to participate in our summer program. Mark will participate in all non-practice team activities while he recovers.”

Iowa opens the 2025 season by hosting Albany on Aug. 30.

Player biographical information below:

QB MARK GRONOWSKI
Senior
6-3, 230
Naperville, Ill. (Neuqua Valley HS / South Dakota State)

• Two-time NCAA FCS National Champion (2022, 2023)
• 49-6 career record (T-Most for QB wins in FCS history)
• 2023 Walter Payton Award winner (FCS Most Outstanding Offensive Player)
• Two-time MVFC Player of the Year (2022, 2023)
• 2023 NCAA FCS Passing Efficiency Leader (179.67)
• 2020-21 MVFC Freshman, Newcomer of the Year Awards winner
• Mechanical Engineering major

QB HANK BROWN
Sophomore
6-4, 208
Nashville, Tenn. (Lipscomb Academy / Auburn)

• Started two games at quarterback in 2024 (New Mexico and Arkansas)
• Played in 2023 Music City Bowl against Maryland, where he was 7-of-9 for 132 yards
• SEC first-year academic honor roll in 2023
• Pre-Business major
• Led Lipscomb Academy to a perfect 13-0 record and the 2022 Tennessee D2-AA state championship under Coach Trent Dilfer
• Father was a three-time All-American and 1997 national champion in soccer at Wheaton College
• Parents were high school classmates with Iowa OC Tim Lester

WR SAM PHILLIPS
Senior
5-9, 185
Cartersville, Ga. (Cartersville HS / Chattanooga)

• Led Southern Conference (SoCon) in 2024 with 823 receiving yards, ranked third in the league in receptions (50), and ranked second on the team in touchdown receptions (3) in 10 starts
• SoCon Week 6-Offensive Player of the Week in 2024
• 2022 SoCon All-Freshmanteam honoree and Phil Steele Third Team Freshman All-American
• Set Chattanooga freshman record with team-high 44 catches, while also leading the squad with 661 yards in 2022.
• Three-time AD Honor Roll honoree
• Honorable Mention Class 5A All-State at Cartersville HS in 2020
• Business management major

DL JONAH PACE
Senior
6-5, 285
Marengo, Ill. (Marengo HS / Central Michigan)

• Played in 37 games at Central Michigan, amassed 55 career tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and five sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and a blocked kick.
• Started all 12 games at defensive tackle in 2024, totaling 34 tackles, ranking second on team in tackles for loss (11.0-46 yards), four sacks, six quarterback hurries, two pass break-ups, a forced fumble and a blocked kick
• Played in every game in 2022 and 2023
• Redshirted in 2021
• Entrepreneurship major

DL BRYCE HAWTHORNE
Sophomore
6-3, 285
Osseo, Minn. (Osseo HS / South Dakota State)

• 2024 MVFC All-Newcomer Team
• Competed in 14 games helping team advance to FCS National Semifinals
• Redshirted in 2023 playing in only three games
• 2023 Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll
• Elementary Education major
• Father, Ed, played football at Minnesota (1990-94) and Miami Dolphins (1995)