Iowa OC Tim Lester Confirms Depth in Quarterback Room Amid Injuries

Iowa's quarterback room is undergoing significant changes as South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski, the likely starter, continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery and has yet to participate fully in spring practices. Despite his limited physical activity, Gronowski has impressed coaches with his mental engagement, taking extensive mental reps and demonstrating a strong grasp of the playbook, which has been noticed by both coaches and teammates. Iowa recently added Wake Forest transfer Jeremy Hecklinski, expanding the roster to six quarterbacks for 2025, as the team looks to bolster depth following the departure of Brendan Sullivan and other quarterbacks through the transfer portal. Offensive coordinator Tim Lester remains optimistic about the team's quarterback depth, highlighting the potential of Auburn transfer Hank Brown and walk-on Jackson Stratton, as well as early enrollee Jimmy Sullivan. The addition of senior analyst Warren Ruggiero, formerly of Wake Forest, is expected to influence Iowa's offensive strategy, with Lester open to integrating new concepts. These developments underscore the Hawkeyes' efforts to stabilize and strengthen their quarterback situation for the upcoming season.