Iowa Hawkeyes have one of the deepest quarterback rooms in years going into the offseason, but it’s also one of the most unpredictable. With Jackson Stratton joining the transfer portal and Mark Gronowski graduating, Kirk Ferentz and his staff will need to figure out how to secure the starting quarterback position for the upcoming campaign. Four quarterbacks will return to Iowa, along with one more from the 2026 recruiting class, but the crucial question is still whether they will develop talent internally or look to the transfer portal once more. Four candidates stand out as the most viable Gronowski replacements if the Hawkeyes decide to promote from within; each has varying degrees of experience and potential.
Jeremy Hecklinski is at the top of the list. Over the past season, Hecklinski has steadily moved up the depth chart, demonstrating growth and consistency in practice that has gained the coaching staff’s confidence. With little system experience, he started the season as the No. 3 quarterback, behind starter Gronowski and Hank Brown. Brown’s performance in mop-up duty against UMass and a quarter of action against Indiana following Gronowski’s injury did little to cement his position as the starting backup.
Hecklinski, on the other hand, kept getting better during practice and eventually surpassed Brown to become Iowa’s second-best quarterback. In a decisive victory over Minnesota, he also took full advantage of his in-game opportunities, scoring a rushing touchdown on a skillfully planned RPO play. Hecklinski currently has a slight advantage because of his momentum and developing rapport with the offense. Brown and Hecklinski are anticipated to compete for the starting position once more in the upcoming offseason.
The highly anticipated 6’5″, 210-pound quarterback from Kaysville, Utah, Tradon Bessinger, who switched his commitment from Boise State to Iowa, comes next. Bessinger’s combination of arm strength and athleticism makes him an appealing option, even though Kirk Ferentz rarely starts a true freshman at quarterback Drew Tate is the only one in recent memory. He demonstrated his ability to make every throw on the field as a senior in high school, throwing for 4,313 yards and 53 touchdowns. Even though Bessinger doesn’t get much playing time in his first season, his size, mechanics, and rocket arm give Iowa fans plenty to be excited about. Bessinger is primarily a pocket passer.
The top tier of internal options is completed by Hank Brown. With three years left in his eligibility and some prior game experience, Brown transferred from Auburn to Iowa. Brown was the backup when Gronowski came through the transfer portal, but Hecklinski passed him on the depth chart after a poor showing against Indiana. Despite that setback, Brown’s physical attributes and prior experience make him a contender to challenge for the starting position once more the following season, particularly if the Hawkeyes don’t acquire a quarterback through the portal.
Jimmy Sullivan, a redshirt freshman from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is the last player. Sullivan used his redshirt year to grow within the program, but he didn’t play in any games this season. He excelled at Carroll High School, lettering in football for three years and track for one. With 5,712 yards, he was the program’s career passing yards leader when he graduated. Sullivan has the opportunity to make an impact if he performs well during spring practices and offseason workouts, even though he may be further down the depth chart. Redshirt players can occasionally surprise.
The combination of returning experience, up-and-coming talent, and high-end potential from recruits like Bessinger makes this quarterback room especially intriguing. Although there are several players at Iowa who could step up, nothing is certain. The coaching staff will have to balance the advantages of continuity with the attraction of adding a transfer portal, which has historically produced talent right away but comes with risks.
