IOWA CITY — Now in his 27th campaign as the head football coach for the University of Iowa, Kirk Ferentz has never been one to reveal many of his cards during a media day.

On Friday, with Duke Slater Field in the backdrop, Ferentz was both optimistic and anxious about what Iowa fans could see from his team with Iowa beginning its season on August 30th against the University of Albany.

The reasons for optimism?

“We’ve got a good mixture of good veteran guys and guys who haven’t seen the field as much, but are ready to step up,” Ferentz said.

Optimism runs high as Iowa will try yet another quarterback at the helm. This time, it will likely be Mark Gronowski, a transfer from South Dakota State, who passed for over 2,700 yards for the Jackrabbits last season.

Gronowski is one of three people who will likely vie for the starting nod as the chief signal caller for the Hawkeyes.

But Gronowski seems to be the one who, without injury, will likely be the main man this season.

With 40 percent of the preseason complete, Ferentz said he is “curious to see how the quarterbacks will evolve.”

The reasons for anxiousness?

“Ever since Spencer (Petras) got hurt in November of ‘22, it’s been a bumpy road,” Ferentz said. “But as long as you’ve got a good offensive line and decent quarterback play, you’ve got a chance. We’re not there yet, but you can see the signs.”

Despite an injury that prevented Gronowski from being fully involved in spring practices, Gronowski seems ready to put his talents on full display.

“The transition has been awesome,” Gronowski said. “(Offensive coordinator) Tim Lester has been awesome. He has let me have every single rep I could get. I feel great and this offense is very similar to the offense I used to run. Even the terminology is kind of the same. I feel 100 percent better.”

“His improvement from Day 1 of practice to Day 9 has been good,” Ferentz said. “He can run and keep his eyes downfield. That’s a trait you’re looking for. He plays like a veteran and he’s a scary-good athlete.”

One of Gronowski’s favorite targets could be Jacob Gill. Gill touted Gronowski’s wealth of experience as an asset for this year’s team. And Gronowski has already showed some signs on the practice field that everything that concerns the offense is a work in progress.

“When he scrambles, he scrambles,” Gill said. “We’re trying to get comfortable with that. But he brings us a lot of maturity and experience.”

Gronowski is also keenly aware that he is about to leave the virtual anonymity of South Dakota State to being the most scrutinized athlete in the entire state of Iowa.

Even with that, he takes it all in stride.

“I don’t look at it as pressure, I look at it as an opportunity,” he said.

For Gronowski to succeed, he must have a capable offensive line, which will be led this year by Gennings Dunker at right tackle. Dunker has seen myriad quarterbacks go through the Iowa system in the last two years.

But it is Gronowski that seems to have Dunker’s attention.

“He’s the same guy on every play, even when something doesn’t go right,” Dunker said. “He doesn’t change.”

Dunker knows that the offensive line is projected to provide a lot of time for Gronowski to throw and holes for running backs Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patteron to run through.

Simplicity is the key ingredient to making that happen.

“It’s all about doing the fundamentals,” Dunker said. “It’s not flashy and cool, but it has to be done.”

The Hawkeyes were 8-5 in 2024, 6-3 in the Big Ten.

A 27-24 loss to Missouri in the Music City Bowl nags at the team and has spurred everyone to put in more effort in meetings and in off season workouts.

Iowa has always relied on defense and special teams to carry the day.

Now, Ferentz thinks the offense can do more than in years past.

“I think we have a chance to be better balanced,” Ferentz said. “We just have to find ways to win.”