This story will be updated with transfer portal announcements and commitments throughout the offseason.
A flurry of transfer news hit social media across the country as the winter college football transfer portal window opened on Monday.
On Sunday, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said the Hawkeyes “had some ideas of what” they were looking for in the portal, but noted the coaches’ inability to travel for recruiting purposes during the month of December.
“The players have to come to us,” Ferentz said. “We are grounded right now. We cannot go anywhere. … It takes two to tango.
“The bottom line still is there has to be mutual interest. Let’s say there is a player we are interested in, I doubt we will be the only people that are interested with them. So, you are going to have to compete for that regard. It is kind of like anything else. We are what we are. If that is attractive to a prospect and attractive enough for him to come and take a look and get a better feel for things then that is good. If not, we will move on and find some guys who are interested. We have a good idea of where we would like to fortify our team.”
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Ferentz also noted that Iowa will not “reach” for a prospect just to fill a perceived weakness on the roster.
“We are not going to fill a spot to fill a spot just to fill it with somebody we are not excited about,” Ferentz said. “It has got to be something that you feel good about on all ends. Obviously, the prospect has to feel the same way.”
Additionally, the impending roster cap of 105 will impact the quantity of the Hawkeyes’ departures and the program’s ability to bring in new players.
Commitments
Hank Brown, QB
First reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel, former Auburn quarterback Hank Brown committed to the Hawkeyes after taking an official visit to the school this week.
In two seasons with the Tigers, Brown completed 65.4% of his passes for 535 yards and six touchdowns with three interceptions in five appearances, including two starts.
Thamel reported Brown's commitment on Friday, Dec. 13. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
Jonah Pace, DL
Former Central Michigan defensive lineman Jonah Pace committed to Iowa after four seasons with Chippewas.
In 37 games, he racked up 54 total tackles, including 30 solo stops, 12 tackles for loss, including five sacks, one forced fumble, one blocked kick and two passes defended.
Pace announced his commitment on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Dec. 23. He joins the Hawkeyes with one year of eligibility remaining.
Bryce Hawthorne, DL
Iowa went back to the portal for more help in the trenches with the addition of Hawthorne from South Dakota State.
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound interior defender appeared in 17 games between 2023 and 2024 with SDSU, recording 27 total tackles (13 solo) and 6.5 tackles for loss, including 4.5 sacks.
An Osseo, Minnesota product, Hawthorne announced his commitment on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday, Jan. 4. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Mark Gronowski, QB
Iowa added another quarterback (and Jackrabbit) with the commitment of former South Dakota State gunslinger Mark Gronowski, who led the program to a pair of FCS National Championships (2022, 2023).
Gronowski appeared in 55 games over five seasons, including one redshirt seaosn, during his career with SDSU and completed 64% of his passes for 10,308 yards and 93 touchdowns with 20 interceptions.
He announced his commitment to Iowa on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Sam Phillips, WR
Another FCS addition, Phillips joins Iowa after four seasons, including one redshirt year, with the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
With the Mocs, Phillips caught 153 passes for 2,088 yards and nine touchdowns.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound prospect announced his commitment on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Departures
Kaleb Brown, WR
A former four-star prospect out of Chicago, Brown spent one season at Ohio State before transferring to Iowa for the 2023 season.
The junior appeared in 14 games as a Hawkeye, catching 23 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown.
Brown departed the program on Monday, Oct. 7
Leshon Williams, RB
Iowa’s top returning rusher entering the 2024 season, Williams fell behind Kamari Moulton and Kaleb Johnson in a crowded running back room.
In four seasons at Iowa, Williams appeared in 32 games (13 starts) and rushed for 1,323 yards and three touchdowns.
Williams departed the program on Monday, Oct. 7. He committed to Kansas on Dec. 2.
Jeff Bowie, DL
A redshirt junior defensive lineman, Jeff Bowie appeared in three games with Iowa, but recorded no stats.
Mike Farrell reported Bowie decision to enter the portal on Nov. 20.
Johnny Pascuzzi, TE
A junior tight end from Olathe, Kansas, Pascuzzi appeared in 22 games over three seasons with Iowa, recording two receptions for 41 yards.
Rivals’ Eliot Clough first reported Pascuzzi's decision on Dec. 3.
Cade McNamara, QB
A former graduate transfer from Michigan, McNamara appeared in 13 games as Iowa’s starting quarterback but suffered season-ending injuries in each of his two seasons with the Hawkeyes.
He announced his intentions to enter the portal on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Rusty VanWetzinga IV, FB
A former star linebacker and running back at Pleasant Valley High School, VanWetzinga, whose younger brother Joey VanWetzinga signed with the Hawkeyes last week, appeared in four games for Iowa in 2024, but did not record any statistics.
He announced his intentions to depart the program on Thursday, Dec. 5.
James Resar, WR
Iowa’s 2023 quarterback signee James Resar did not appear in his lone season at Iowa. A three-star prospect in 2023 was moved to wide receiver.
Resar announced his intentions to transfer on Thursday, Dec. 5.
Ayden Price, WR
A redshirt freshman walk-on wide receiver from West Des Moines Valley, Price did not see action in either of his first two seasons with Iowa.
Price announced his intentions to transfer on Saturday, Dec. 7, with three years of eligibility remaining.
Cole Marsh, TE
A walk-on freshman tight end, Cole Marsh did not appear in his lone season with the Hawkeyes.
Marsh played both tight end and quarterback during his prep career at Waverly-Shell Rock High School.
Marsh announced his intentions on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Marco Lainez III, QB
The Hawkeyes’ quarterback signee in the class of 2022, Lainez appeared in one game for Iowa, starting the 2024 Citrus Bowl against Tennessee.
Lainez suffered a thumb injury on his left hand in 2024, limiting his availability for the final month of the season.
He entered the portal on Monday, Dec. 9.
Trent Cakerice, OL
A walk-on freshman offensive lineman, Trent Cakerice did not appear in his lone season with the Hawkeyes after a standout career at Grundy Center.
On3’s Blair Sanderson reported the news on Monday, Dec. 9.
Jalyn Thompson, TE
A redshirt freshman from Dowling Catholic High School, Thompson did not see action in either season with the Hawkeyes.
He entered the portal on Monday, Dec. 9.
Caden Crawford, DE
A sophomore defensive lineman, Crawford appeared in four games in three seasons with the Hawkeyes, recording two total tackles.
He entered the portal on Monday, Dec. 9, with two years of eligibility remaining.
Grant Leeper, TE
A redshirt freshman tight end, Leeper appeared in two games this season for Iowa but did not record any statistics.
He entered the portal on Monday, Dec. 9.
Kyson Van Vugt, OL
Originally a tight end, Van Vught moved to offensive line during his redshirt freshman season in 2023.
Van Vugt entered the portal on Monday, Dec. 9 with two years of eligibility remaining.
Ethan Aghakhan, DE
A walk-on defensive lineman from Vernon Hills, Illinois, Aghakhan did not see action in his lone season with the Hawkeyes in 2024.
He entered the portal on Monday, Dec. 9.
Ryan Kuennen, DL
A preferred walk-on defensive lineman from West Des Moines Valley, Kuennen did not see action in his lone season with the Hawkeyes in 2024.
He entered the portal on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Graham Friedrichsen, WR
A walk-on defensive lineman from Urbandale, Friedrichsen did not see action in any of his three seasons with Iowa.
He entered the portal on Tuesday, Dec. 10 with two years of eligibility remaining.
Chase Brackney, DL
A former three-star prospect in Iowa's 2023 recruiting class, Brackney took a redshirt in 2023 and did not see action in 2024.
He committed to Iowa over offers from Colorado, Colorado State, Nebraska, New Mexico State, USC and Utah State according to 247Sports.
The Greenwood Village, Colorado prospect entered the portal on Tuesday, Dec. 10 with three years of eligibility remaining.
Amare Bickham, DB
A preferred walk-on in the 2023 recruiting class, Bickham did not see action in either of his two seasons with Iowa.
The Fulshear, Texas prospect entered the portal on Wednesday, Dec. 11 with three years of eligibility remaining.
Grant Galusser, HB
A preferred walk-on in the 2024 recruiting class, Glausser did not see action in one season with the Hawkeyes.
The Western Dubuque product entered the portal on Thursday, Dec. 19.
Tripp Woody, PK
A true freshman in 2024, Woody did not see action as the primary backup to Drew Stevens.
The Charlotte, North Carolina native entered the portal on Friday, Dec. 20 and committed to Syracuse on Saturday, Dec. 21.
Mason Knipp, OL
A true freshman walk-on offensive lineman, Knipp did not see action in his lone season with the Hawkeyes.
The Waterloo Columbus Catholic product committed to Indiana State via the transfer portal on Thursday, Dec. 26.
John Nestor, DB
The sophomore cornerback announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday, March 25 in a post to X.
Nestor appeared in 20 games in two seasons with the Hawkeyes and managed 16 total tackles as reserve defensive back and special teams player.
A three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class out of Chicago, Illinois, Nestor committed to Iowa over offers from Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Iowa State, Kansas, Kent State, Miami (OH), Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Purdue, Toledo, Western Michigan and Wyoming.
Gavin Hoffman, TE
Hoffman announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Thursday, April 3 with a post to X.
The former four-star tight end did not see action in his lone season with the Hawkeyes.
He originally committed to Iowa over a 18 offers including offers from Arizona State, Missouri, Arkansas, Auburn, Illinois, Nebraksa, Purdue, Tennessee and Texas Tech among others.
Ethan Petrik is a University of Iowa beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at ethan.petrik@wcfcourier.com.
