The 2025 season was uncannily familiar to Iowa football fans. Hawkeye supporters have been frustrated by this trend for years, but once again, expectations for a more balanced and successful passing attack never quite materialized. At the start of the season, there was hope that assistance had finally come. In an attempt to modernize and stabilize the offense, Iowa used the transfer portal to acquire South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski, a proven winner. Gronowski’s resume was self-explanatory. His 10,330 passing yards and 93 touchdown passes during his four seasons with the Jackrabbits naturally inspired hope in Iowa City.
Supporters hoped that Iowa’s historically potent rushing attack would finally be complemented by a passing game. Rather, the season played out similarly to many others that came before it. The Hawkeyes once again relied largely on the ground game to move the ball because the passing offense never really found its rhythm. There were moments when Iowa’s rushing attack was so successful that the coaching staff seemed satisfied to completely give up on the passing game. Although that strategy was effective in certain situations, it also brought attention to the continuous challenge of creating a reliable aerial threat. One name kept coming up when Iowa tried to throw: Jacob Gill.
In a wide receiver room that has frequently struggled with quarterback inconsistency, Gill, a transfer from Northwestern, has proven to be one of the most dependable options. Gill developed into a reliable presence, regardless of who was taking the snaps, even though the group as a whole was affected by the instability under center. That stability wasn’t a coincidence.
The program is well aware of Gill’s work ethic, which stems from the lessons he was taught long before he came to Iowa City. Gill’s parents instilled in him the values of discipline, responsibility, and an unwavering drive to get better at a young age, and he has carried these traits throughout his football career.
Gill goes to the JUGS machine every day after practice. He catches precisely 204 footballs there. It’s not an arbitrary routine. After hearing about another player who caught 200 balls a day, Gill took inspiration from Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is renowned for catching 202 balls every day. Gill added his own twist and raised the figure a little. The exercise is both mentally and physically demanding. The majority of players are eager to return home after arduous meetings and lengthy practices. Gill, on the other hand, stays behind, honing his focus and strengthening muscle memory. It’s a tiny illustration of his approach to his work, but it says a lot about him.
Gill has stated that his upbringing is what gives him the motivation to keep moving forward. His parents instilled in him the values of consistency and discipline, which have carried over to the football field. Discussions about what more can be added or provided are common in the wide receiver room, and Gill takes that challenge personally. Being “good enough” has never been his aim.
Gill has only been with Iowa for two seasons, but that mentality has made him feel like a natural fit right away. It seems as though he has spent his entire career in Iowa City because of how easily he assimilated into the Hawkeyes’ culture after moving from Northwestern. His teammates have faith in him. He is relied upon by coaches.
Gill is frequently the first choice when the offense needs a reliable target. Gill’s time in college is almost over. On New Year’s Eve, he will play his final game in the ReliaQuest Bowl against No. 14 Vanderbilt. This is an appropriate setting for a player who has subtly demonstrated perseverance and professionalism while wearing black and gold.
Roster movement has also become a plot point as Iowa gets ready for the bowl game. The transfer portal both gives and takes away in today’s college football environment. Players are better equipped than ever to look for better circumstances thanks to increased Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities and new revenue-sharing models. Iowa has witnessed both aspects of that reality.
The Hawkeyes experienced setbacks with high-profile additions that didn’t work out as planned, but they also benefited from transfers like Gronowski and Gill. Iowa’s running back room suffered a setback prior to the ReliaQuest Bowl. After three seasons with the program, reserve running back Terrell Washington Jr. is anticipated to use the transfer portal, according to reports from Eliot Clough and Matt Zenitz.
Washington Jr. played in 11 games and made two starts this season. He averaged 3.5 yards per attempt and finished with 98 rushing yards on 28 carries. He failed to score a touchdown. Washington, a Wylie, Texas native, first committed to Iowa in 2023 after rejecting offers from Vanderbilt, Duke, Houston, and Purdue.
Washington made 26 appearances for Iowa between 2023 and 2025, totaling 182 rushing yards on 49 carries and 10 receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. Although the precise cause of his departure is unknown, Kamari Moulton and a number of younger backs carving out bigger roles in the backfield probably contributed to the increased competition.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Washington Jr. will now look for a new beginning elsewhere as he moves on to the next stage of his college career.
