Development and recruiting in-state are two things that the Iowa Hawkeyes are known for. They are also known for being a veteran team that sees players carry an abundance of experience when they crack the starting lineup. Those three things set a program up for success over a sustained period of time.

Iowa has done just that under Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes have sustained success that most college football programs would gladly trade for and built a model of consistency that few can claim they have ever replicated.

What does that success look like moving forward, though? ESPN ranked every Power Four team in the country and power ranked them based on what their future looks like. The Hawkeyes’ future is bright as they crack the top 25, coming in at No. 23.

Quarterback Situation

The broken record seems to be playing again. Can the Iowa Hawkeyes get an answer at quarterback? The addition of Mark Gronowski has signs pointing in the right direction, something that has been missing for quite some time in Iowa City.

The downside to Gronowski is a double-edged sword. If he plays well, as Iowa hopes, he is destined for the NFL after just one season. Is that a trade that the Hawkeyes faithful are ready to make? It would be hard to argue otherwise.

Returning quarterback: No. Cade McNamara moved on after two disappointing seasons, and Brendan Sullivan transferred to Tulane after starting three games last fall.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very slim. Iowa brought in South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski to elevate the offense, and Gronowski picked Iowa to boost his NFL profile in his final college season. – Rittenberg, ESPN

Trench Outlook

Look no further than the line of scrimmage to see where the strength of Iowa could be in 2025. The offensive line is littered with veteran experience. The defensive line returns players who started to break out at the end of last year. These two units may take a game or two to gel, but once it is rolling, this has the potential to be a vintage Iowa team in the trenches.

Offensive line/defensive line outlook: After several turbulent seasons, Iowa’s offensive line stabilized in 2024 and once again looks like one of the team’s signature position groups. Veterans Logan Jones, Gennings Dunker and Beau Stephens are all back for 2025, and the group has juniors and sophomores ready to step up, while also adding Division II standout Bryce George. Seniors Aaron Graves and Ethan Hurkett lead a defensive line that looks solid in some spots and has a few questions as well. – Rittenberg, ESPN

Roster

Iowa did not make too much noise in the transfer portal additions outside of Mark Gronowski, but they went about their business very mindfully with who they added. Iowa plugged gaps at receiver, along the offensive line, and the defensive line to solidify some areas. It won’t ever be the splash add by Iowa, but it will be a consistence improvement of talent infused with experienced, homegrown players.

Roster management: Iowa will never be a volume portal team with Kirk Ferentz as coach, but it has become more aggressive in taking transfer quarterbacks like Gronowski and Hank Brown (Auburn). Iowa also added several defensive linemen and wide receiver Sam Phillips from Chattanooga. The Hawkeyes don’t pop in high school recruiting rankings but continue to find good developmental prospects within the state and region. – Rittenberg, ESPN

Household names

Each year, Iowa enters the season with one or two players that are on the radar of the national college football world, but still sends a handful to the NFL each year. That seems to be the case this year. Iowa has talent on each side of the ball entering 2025 with hopes that players on both sides become household names, not just defensive stars.

Star power: Gronowski’s championship experience and ability gives him a chance to become one of the Big Ten’s better quarterbacks this fall. Iowa brings back All-Big Ten offensive linemen in Jones and Dunker, and Graves, and Hurkett, and other defenders like safety Xavier Nwankpa should contend for league honors. – Rittenberg, ESPN

Coaching

Kirk Ferentz is still at the helm, and he has earned the right to step away only when he feels that the time is right. How long he sticks around is unknown and a growing topic of discussion each year, but regardless, the staff he has assembled around him may be the best in some time.

LeVar Woods and Phil Parker are mainstays on special teams and defense, but the addition of Tim Lester as the offensive coordinator was fruitful last year and could pay more dividends this year.

Coaching staff: Kirk Ferentz turns 70 in August but continues pushing forward as the nation’s longest-tenured coach. After the offensive staff shakeup in 2023, the team returned coordinator Tim Lester and most of the staff. Veteran assistants like Phil Parker, LeVar Woods and Seth Wallace are all back, too. – Rittenberg, ESPN

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