Is Mark Gronowski related to Rob Gronkowski? What to know about new Iowa QB compared to NFL brothers

Billy Heyen

Is Mark Gronowski related to Rob Gronkowski? What to know about new Iowa QB compared to NFL brothers image

The Iowa Hawkeyes brought in a big-name quarterback transfer this offseason.

Mark Gronowski has Iowa believing in a potent offense, not something the Hawkeyes generally have.

But he's also gaining attention for a different reason: his last name.

One problem: You've got to read it very closely.

It's not Gronkowski.

Is Mark Gronowski related to Rob Gronkowski?

No, Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski is not related to New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL legend Rob Gronkowski.

Check out those last names closely: Iowa's QB is missing a 'k' in the middle there.

Who is Mark Gronowski?

Mark Gronowski is Iowa's starting quarterback in 2025.

He transferred to the Hawkeyes from FCS power South Dakota State.

Gronowski won two national titles for SDSU.

He was 49-6 at South Dakota State in four years as a starter.

Now, he's trying to lead the Hawkeyes to big things.

MORE: Why QB Darian Mensah transferred to Duke

Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle