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USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football 2025 season positional preview: Quarterbacks
Since 2020, Iowa football fans have been waiting for an answer at the quarterback position. Following the graduation of Nate Stanley, the Hawkeyes have gone through numerous quarterback options including Spencer Petras, Alex Padilla, Cade McNamara and Deacon Hill with little success. It's been frustrating for fans to watch a great defense and special teams get let down consistently by subpar quarterback play. But, for the first time in half a decade, that position might have an answer. This is the first part of my Iowa football positional previews for the 2025 season. Starting with quarterback, I'll go position by position down the Iowa roster and update you on the key players for the Hawks in 2025. So, grab your popcorn and a comfortable seat and let's get started. Starter: Mark Gronowski 2024 stats: 2,721 passing yards, 23 TDs, 7 INTs, 61% completion at South Dakota State The arrival of Mark Gronowski on campus has many Hawkeye fans excited about the quarterback position in 2025. Gronowski was a four-year starter for the Jackrabbits, leading them to a pair of FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023. Gronowski won the 2023 Walter Payton Award, given to the most outstanding FCS player. He was a first-team FCS All-American in 2023 as well. In total, he went 49-6 as a starter with 10,308 passing yards and 93 touchdowns while completing 63.5% of his passes. Gronowski had offseason shoulder surgery that limited his work in spring ball, but all signs point toward him being good to go for upcoming practices and the regular season. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound signal caller has ideal size for the position and is very mobile, as illustrated by his 1,767 career rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns with the Jackrabbits. If he plays up to his ability in 2025, Iowa could make some national noise. Projected Backup: Hank Brown 2024 stats: 27-43 for 403 passing yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs across four games at Auburn Iowa has a few options for the primary backup to Gronowksi, but I decided to go with the 6-foot-4, 208-pound Auburn transfer Hank Brown. A three-star prospect out of Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, Brown saw some action with the Tigers in 2024 after a redshirt season in 2023. While he wasn't great, Brown is still just a redshirt sophomore and has big-time experience from within the SEC. That experience plus his potential upside is enough for me to slot him into the projected backup role this season. And with Gronowski playing his final year in college, Brown will be a contender for the starting role in 2026. If Brown isn't the primary backup, it will be one of these other quarterback options. Other QB Options If Iowa can get legit production from its quarterbacks in 2025, it's going to be a fun season in Iowa City. We'll just have to wait and see what they get. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Badgers running back dies at 20
The Wisconsin Badgers community faced some tragic news last week, as former running back Nate White passed away late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning. 'According to the Brookings Police Department, first responders were called to a home in the 1000 block of Seventh Avenue South shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, when a roommate reported that White was not breathing and was unresponsive in his bed,' InForum's Matt Zimmer reported. Advertisement 'Efforts by Brookings Ambulance and police units to resuscitate White were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead by the Brookings County coroner, who ordered that his body be moved to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls for an autopsy to be conducted. 'A cause of death has not yet been released, and police say an investigation remains ongoing.' White, 20, had transferred to South Dakota State earlier this offseason after spending two seasons with the Badgers. A Milwaukee native, White had committed to Wisconsin as a three-star recruit in the Class of 2023. He started his career at running back before moving to wide receiver last season. Moving back to running back at South Dakota State, White was reportedly the favorite to be the Jackrabbits' starting tailback in 2025. Advertisement South Dakota State released a statement in the aftermath, mourning the loss of White. 'Jackrabbit football is a brotherhood and today we are all hurting with the shocking news of the loss of Nate White,' head coach Dan Jackson shared in a statement. 'Nate impacted our program with his hard work, determination and overall positive spirit. We grieve with his family and will honor his memory throughout the upcoming season.' According to InForum, the Jackrabbit Former Players Association raised roughly $17,000 to go toward the White family's expenses. Additionally, on July 1, Pints and Quarts will hold its own fundraiser, donating a portion of all sales to the family. More from
Reuters
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
SD State mourning death of Wisconsin transfer RB Nate White
June 26 - South Dakota State running back Nate White died at age 20, the football program said in a statement late Wednesday. White spent his first two seasons at Wisconsin but didn't get into a game. In January, he transferred to play for the Jackrabbits with three years of eligibility remaining. Police in Brookings, S.D., did not confirm a cause of death and said in a press release an active investigation is underway. "Jackrabbit football is a brotherhood and today we are all hurting with the shocking news of the loss of Nate White," South Dakota State coach Dan Jackson said in a statement. "Nate impacted our program with his hard work, determination and overall positive spirit. We grieve with his family and will honor his memory throughout the upcoming season." A Milwaukee native, White chose to play for Wisconsin over offers from Vanderbilt, Purdue and Iowa State, among others. He played quarterback as a high school junior at Rufus King High School in Milwaukee and had 48 rushing touchdowns in his final two seasons as a prep. --Field Level Media
Los Angeles Times
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Long Beach Poly boys' 4x400 relay team shines at state track and field championships
CLOVIS, Calif. — The stars close the show and Long Beach Poly's 4x400-meter relay brought the crowd to its feet with a stunning performance in the final race of the CIF State Track & Field Finals, winning in 3 minutes 8.68 seconds for the second-fastest time ever in the state meet. The top four teams ran sub-3:10, making it the fastest four-lapper ever in the finals on depth. The Jackrabbits just missed the state meet record of 3:08.42 set in 2010 by a Gardena Serra foursome anchored by Robert Woods, running the fourth-fastest time in California history. Central East of Fresno was second in 3:09.23, Servite took third in 3:09.46 to clinch the team title with 33 points, L.A. Cathedral took fourth in 3:09.59 and Long Beach Wilson was fifth in 3:10.55. Sprinters headlined Friday's prelims but it was the distance runners who played leading roles Saturday at Buchanan High School. Rylee Blade has made a habit of performing her best on the brightest stage and she ran her fastest girls' 3,200-meter race ever (9:50.51) but had to settle for second when she was passed on the last turn by Hanne Thomsen of Santa Rosa Montgomery, who won in 9:48.98. 'I knew this would be a kicking race and give [Thomsen] credit, she had a bit more at the end,' said Blade, the Corona Santiago standout who won the state title as a sophomore and was third last year. In a shocking development, Stanford-bound senior Evan Noonan of Dana Hills, last year's boys' 3,200 champion, caught a stomach flu earlier in the afternoon and had to drop out of the race, distraught that he couldn't defend his title. Woodcrest Christian's Eyan Turk took advantage of the race favorite's absence, winning in 8:51.62. Thomsen was involved in another stretch duel in the girls' 1,600 versus another Corona Santiago runner Braelyn Combe, who did not realize she won until times were posted on the scoreboard. 'We were shoulder to shoulder with 100 [meters] to go and pushed each other to the end,' said Comb, who won by five-hundredths of a second in a personal-best of 4:35.64, the second-fastest in the country this year and fifth fastest in state history. 'I've never been that close to someone at the finish line. I closed my eyes and prayed and when I looked up at the board I burst into tears. I've never wanted anything more in my life. I'm so happy. My family drove five hours up here to watch.' Combe, a junior who took second in the 1,600 last year, credits her victory to training with Blade, who she called 'unbelievable.' 'It's a blessing to have her on my team, she's the best pacing partner,' said Combe, who capped off her day by anchoring the Sharks' 4x800-meter relay, which ran 8:49.01 to establish a new state meet record. 'It's a real advantage for me.' Looking like an Olympic gymnast, Loren Webster stuck her landing on her fifth attempt in the girls' long jump, a personal-best 21 feet, 0¼ inches that earned her first-place by three and a half inches over transgender athlete A.B. Hernandez, who beat Webster at the Southern Section Masters Meet and posted the top qualifying mark Friday. 'I'm glad I was able to win to honor my jump coach who has worked with me since my first year jumping as a sophomore,' the teary-eyed senior said of Carl Hampton, who died of cancer May 24, the day of the Masters Meet. 'I PR'd by a couple of inches. I was injured most of the season but I knew what I was capable of and I knew today was the only day that mattered.' Hernandez went on to win the triple jump and tied for first with Lelani Laruelle of Monte Vista and Jillene Wetteland of Long Beach Poly in the high jump at 5-07. JJ Harel of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame cleared 6-09 to win the boys high jump after finishing second at the state meet last year. 'I knew I would win but honestly, I'm not happy,' said the Knights' junior, whose personal-best was 7-0¼ last year. 'I was on fire in the lower heights, getting over easily but once it got to seven feet I forgot my form.' Giving Harel a high-five after his win was Notre Dame senior Aja Johnson, who won the girls' shot put for the second time in three years with a throw of 45-05¾. 'It's not a PR or anything but at least I won it for my school. ... I'm happy about that,' said Johnson, who is going to college at Louisville. Oaks Christian's girls repeated as 4x100 champions in 46.08, edging Long Beach Poly (46.18) for the second year in a row. Servite won the boys 4x100 relay in 40.27, one hundredth of a second faster than its prelim time. Concord De La Salle junior Jaden Jefferson won the boys' 100 meters in 10.27, followed by Servite's Benjamin Harris (10.31), Alemany's Demare Dezeurn (10.39) and Rancho Cucamonga's RJ Sermons (10.48). Temecula Valley's Jack Stadlman won the 400 meters in 46.02 and took second in the 200 meters in 20.82. Sermons, who had to win a run-off Friday to gain the last qualifying spot, finished sixth in the 200 in 21.05. Long Beach Wilson successfully defended its 4x400 girls relay title.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Larson punches his ticket to Eugen
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (SDSU) — Cody Larson will head to Eugene for South Dakota State, while the other 10 Jackrabbits wrap up their season Saturday afternoon at the NCAA West First Round. HEAD COACH ROD DEHAVEN 'Cody making nationals is an incredible achievement and kind of continues an almost magical season for him. And he's still got a little bit more left in the tank as we head to Eugene. I think it's a good experience for the other Jackrabbits that made the trip to College Station. It's sad to see the careers of some all-time greats come to a close, but I wish them the best in their future endeavors. For those that return next year, hopefully they're fueled to achieve greater heights.' THE MEET Cody Larson finished second in his heat of the 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 8:39.60. Larson's placement as runner-up in his heat secured the junior a spot in the semifinals held in Eugene, OR. Josh Becker also competed in the 3000-steeplechase, but did not finish due to injury. Pierre Lear made his way to the quarterfinals after clocking 13.76 in the 110-hurdles. The senior finished 21st overall with a time of 14.40. Lear's performance in the quarterfinals was his final competition as a Jackrabbit. Lear will leave South Dakota State with a legacy as he currently holds the 110-hurdles program record at 13.57. In field events, Madison Kizer competed in the high jump on Saturday afternoon. Kizer cleared 5-07.25 (1.71m) to take 31st in the event. Kizer also finished her collegiate career, but will live on in SDSU history as the senior tied the program record of 5-10.75 earlier this season. Caiden Fredrick, Cayman Gebheim and Ethan Fischer all represented the Jackrabbits in the discus competition. Frederick placed 33rd with a mark of 179-03 (54.65m), Gebheim took 37th with a throw of 176-11 (53.92m), and Fischer finished at 45th with a mark of 164-6 (50.14m). Brielle Dixon rounded out her collegiate career Thursday evening. Dixon placed 36th in the first round of the 100-hurdles with a time of 13.58. Similarly to Lear, Dixon will leave the program with her name on the SDSU records list as she currently holds the best Jackrabbit 100-hurdles time of 13.37. Jessica Lutmer also finished her collegiate career Thursday night. Lutmer, alongside freshman Courtney Stadter, competed in the 10,000-meter race. Stadter took 36th in the event, crossing the line at 35:52.31, while Lutmer finished at 36:59.36 for 42nd. Grayson Ring competed at the NCAA West Regionals after his first year in DI competition. Ring competed in the high jump, but did not clear the opening bar. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
