Iowa Football Awards Announced

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa senior quarterback Mark Gronowski and sophomore defensive back Zach Lutmer were named Roy J. Carver Most Valuable Players as the Iowa football program announced its 2025 team awards on Sunday.

Gronowski directed Iowa’s offense in 2025, setting multiple school records in the process. The native of Naperville, Illinois, broke program records for most single season rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (15) and rushing yards (491). He rushed for at least one score in 10 straight games, the longest streak ever by a Big Ten quarterback. Gronowski has won a combined 57 career games at South Dakota State (49) and Iowa (8), the most by a starting quarterback in NCAA history (all levels). He also became the first Hawkeye to rush, throw and receive a touchdown in the same game (at USC). Gronowski, the team’s 2025 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree, has amassed 2,020 yards of total offense (1,529 passing; 491 rushing).

Lutmer is the first sophomore to earn team MVP honors since offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum in 2020. Lutmer leads the squad with three interceptions (72 yards), is tied for second with six pass breaks-ups, recovered a fumble and ranks fourth on the team with 68 tackles, including 5.5 for loss in 12 starts. The Rock Rapids, Iowa, native earned second-team All-Big Ten accolades by league coaches earlier this month. Lutmer’s 34-yard interception return for a score against Minnesota on Oct. 25, extended Iowa’s pick-six streak to 18 straight seasons.

Five permanent team captains were named, including graduate center Logan Jones and Gronowski on offense, junior DB Koen Entringer and graduate DE Ethan Hurkett on defense, and graduate RS Kaden Wetjen on special teams. Hurkett and Jones also shared the Iron Hawk Award, while Jones was a recipient of the Hayden Fry Award.

Jones anchors Iowa's offensive line, which is a Joe Moore Award finalist. The Council Bluffs, Iowa, native was an Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy finalist and he earned first-team All-Big Ten laurels by the league coaches, media and Associated Press. Jones, who has started 50 career games and has served as a game captain all 12 games this season, is the top-rated center in the country by Pro Football Focus and has not been flagged for an offensive holding penalty in 2025. 

Wetjen became the first two-time recipient of the Big Ten’s Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year Award since the award was introduced in 2015. Wetjen also earned first-team all-conference accolades by both the league coaches and media. The Jet Award finalist leads the nation with 965 combined kick return yards (by 260 yards), while also ranking first in punt return yards (28.3). He was a three-time Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week in 2025. The Williamsburg, Iowa, native is the only Big Ten player to record at least three punt returns and one kickoff return for a score in the same season. He returned a 100-yard kickoff for a touchdown at Rutgers, and had punt return scores of 95 yards (UMass), 62 yards (Michigan State) and 50 yards (Minnesota) this season. His 28.3 punt return average is currently tops in Big Ten history and the three punt return scores are tied for third-most in a single season in league annals.

Entringer started all 12 games at free safety and is tied for second on the team with 69 tackles. The native of Ypsilanti, Michigan, was selected as a game captain for all 12 games as a junior in 2025. An honorable mention all-conference selection, Entringer has registered four pass break-ups, 3.5 tackles for loss, forced one fumble, recovered one fumble and has a quarterback hurry.

Hurkett has been a mainstay on Iowa’s defensive line, starting all 12 games at defensive end. He has 33 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for a loss (six sacks), two QB pressures, one block field goal, and one forced fumble. Hurkett and the Hawkeye defense ranks seventh in the nation in passing defense (158.2), and eighth in total defense (270.6) and scoring defense (14.7).

The Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” Award was shared by Gronowski, Jones, senior tackle Gennings Dunker, senior guard Beau Stephens and senior tight end Hayden Large, senior receiver Jacob Gill on offense, senior DB TJ Hall, senior LB Jaden Harrell and senior DB Xavier Nwankpa on defense, and Large and LB Jaxon Rexroth special teams. The Hayden Fry Award is presented to team members who show exemplary leadership and dedication throughout the year as well as the offseason.

The Hawkeye offensive line is a Joe Moore Award finalist, which recognizes the top offensive line in the country. Jones and Stephens earned first-team all-conference recognition, while Dunker was honored on the second team. 

Large is Iowa’s best blocking tight end in 2025, helping pave the way to 2,133 rushing yards. The native of Hudsonville, Michigan, also has caught eight passes for 52 yards. Gill leads Hawkeye receivers with 22 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown – a game-tying catch in the closing minutes of regulation in the come-from-behind win over Michigan State. Gill made the spectacular 13-yard grab in the corner of the end zone, which tied the game after the successful PAT. Both Large and Gill were honorable mention all-conference honorees.

Graves, a second-team all-conference selection, has been a dominant defensive force and exceptional scholar-athlete. He has recorded 36 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss (five sacks) and an interception in 2025. The team captain and William V. Campbell Trophy finalist graduated with highest distinction in 2024 after completing his bachelor’s degree in exercise science in just two years with a 4.03 GPA, and is on track to complete his master’s degree in sport and recreation management in December. 

Nwankpa, who started all 12 games at safety, is tied for second on the team in tackles (69), tied for first in forced fumbles (2), and also recorded a 28-yard interception return and a quarterback hurry. The native of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, earned third-team all-conference laurels and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors following his efforts in Iowa’s comeback win over Penn State.

Hall has seen action in 10 games in 2025, starting all 10 at cornerback. The native of Fresno, California, leads the team with eight pass break-ups. An honorable mention all-conference honoree, he also has posted 39 tackles and intercepted a pass in 2025.

Harrell started six games at linebacker in 2025, has totaled a single-season best 41 tackles, including two for loss (one sack), two quarterback hurries and forced two fumbles.

Rexroth has played in all 12 games at linebacker and special teams. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native has 25 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, one interception and one pass break-up.

The Brett Greenwood Award was shared by Rexroth, senior kicker Drew Stevens. Established in 2011, the Greenwood Award goes to former walk-ons who embodies the values and behaviors of former Hawkeye walk-on Brett Greenwood. These student-athletes have made a significant contribution to the team through persistence, determination, commitment, preparation and action.

Stevens, a three-time all-conference honoree, has converted 20 field goals as a senior in 2025, tying a career high. He kicked a career-long 58-yard field goal against Oregon, tying an Iowa and Kinnick Stadium record. The 58-yarder ties for the third longest field goal made in the NCAA this season. Stevens made a game-winning 44-yard kick – his fourth as a Hawkeye -- as time expired to beat Michigan State in November. Stevens holds program records in career field goals (74) and makes 50+ yards (12) and is second in all-time scoring (342).

Dunker received the Forest Evashevski Academic Achievement Award. Dunker, a human physiology major, has twice been recognized on the CSC Academic All-District Team, four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Dean's List honoree five times and three-time Iowa Presidential Committee on Athletics Medallion recipient.

The Reggie Roby Special Teams Award was shared by junior LB Landyn Van Kekerix, Stevens, Wetjen and Rexroth. Van Kekerix has been a key contributor on special teams all 12 games. Van Kekerix and Iowa’s punt return unit ranks first nationally (29.2), while Iowa’s kickoff return defense is fourth (13.7).

Six Hawkeyes earned the Next Man In Award: junior OL Jack Dotzler, redshirt freshman TE DJ Vonnahme, redshirt freshman RB Xavier Williams and true freshman RB Nathan McNeil on offense; LB Jayden Montgomery on defense; and LB Rashad Godfrey, Jr., on special teams.

Dotzler has seen action in all 12 games on Iowa’s dominant offensive line. Vonnahme is first on the team in catches (22), receiving yards (288) and touchdown receptions (2). McNeil has rushed 37 times for 169 yards and caught five passes for 45 yards. Williams has rushed for 260 yards on 44 attempts and has seven receptions for 43 yards. Montgomery started six of 12 contests, and has been credited with 36 tackles, two pass break-ups and two quarterback hurries. Godfrey competed in all 12 games, totaling 14 tackles, including a personal-best nine tackles in Iowa’s win at Nebraska.

Coaches Appreciation Award recipients were sophomore WR Dayton Howard, sophomore OT Trevor Lauck, junior TE Zach Ortwerth and junior RB Jaziun Patterson on offense; junior DT Luke Gaffney, sophomore DB Alex Mota, DT Jeremiah Pittman and graduate LB Zach Twedt on defense; sophomore LB Nolan DeLong, Montgomery, Nwankpa and graduate LB Kelby Telander on special teams.

Howard has caught seven passes for 85 yards and one score, while Lauck started all 12 games at left tackle. Ortwerth has eight catches for 69 yards, while Patterson rushed 57 times for 299 yards and has three receptions for nine yards. Pittman competed in all 12 games, while Twedt, DeLong and Telander all play important roles on special teams in 2025.

Team Hustle Awards went to sophomore OL Leighton Jones, sophomore RB Kamari Moulton, senior WR Sam Phillips, sophomore OG Kade Pieper and sophomore RB Terrell Washington, Jr., on offense; sophomore DT Bryce Hawthorne and senior DE Max Llewellyn, Lutmer and senior LB Karson Sharar on defense; Hall, Entringer, Van Kekerix and sophomore DB Jaylen Watson on special teams.

Moulton leads the team in rushing yards (783) and rushing attempts (156) to go along with 15 catches for 95 yards. Phillips has caught 16 passes for 261 yards, while Washington, Jr., has 189 all-purpose yards. Pieper started all 12 games at right guard, while Jones has seen action in 10 contests. Sharar leads the team with 78 tackles, including 10 for loss (two sacks), and has five quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one pass break-up. Llewellyn has 23 tackles, including nine for loss (six sacks), two forced fumbles, six pass break-ups and leads the team with seven quarterback hurries. Hawthorne has totaled 13 tackles, including two for loss, while Watson has posted eight tackles and one quarterback hurry.

Team Leader Awards were presented to freshman QB Ryan Fitzgerald, freshman RB Braeden Jackson, freshman WR Apollo Payne and freshman QB Jimmy Sullivan on offense; redshirt freshman DE Drew Campbell, freshman DB Drew MacPherson and freshman DB Jacob Wallace; and freshman LB Burke Gautcher, Jackson and sophomore WR Jackson Naeve on special teams.

Sophomore WR Reece Vander Zee and graduate center Michael Myslinski were presented the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Myslinski fought through injuries throughout his Hawkeye career, while Vander Zee missed the first five games of the season as a result of an injury. Vander Zee has 186 receiving yards and one touchdown on 11 receptions in 2025.

Defensive Coordinator Phil Parker was the recipient of the Tom Moore Legacy Award. This new award is presented to a current or former coach who reflects the values and impact that have defined Coach Moore's remarkable career. Through years of dedicated service, leadership, and excellence on and off the field, the recipient of this award has left a lasting mark on the Iowa football program and the lives of the players they've mentored. This award celebrates a coaching career built on passion, consistency and an unwavering commitment to the game.

The Bump Elliott Appreciation Award was presented to Justin Elsner and Drew Kocken for capturing and preserving the moments that define Iowa football and crafting a voice that strengthens the connection with Hawkeye fans. Elsner is in his third year as the team’s director of football creative media, while Kocken is in his second year as assistant director of football creative media.

The Distinguished Service Award goes to football custodian Doug Kray who has been part of the football family for several years.

No. 23 Iowa (8-4) will face No. 14 Vanderbilt (10-2) in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31 in Tampa (11 a.m. CT, ESPN). The Hawkeyes earned their 23rd bowl invite over the past 27 seasons under Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz.

Forest Evashevski Academic Achievement	Gennings Dunker
Iron Hawk Award	Ethan Hurkett
	Logan Jones
Roy Carver Most Valuable Players	Mark Gronowski, offense
	Zach Lutmer, defense
Permanent Team Captains	Mark Gronowski, offense
	Logan Jones, offense
	Koen Entringer, defense
	Ethan Hurkett, defense
	Kaden Wetjen, special teams
Tom Moore Legacy Award	Phil Parker
Hayden Fry Award	Gennings Dunker, offense
	Jacob Gill, offense
	Mark Gronowski, offense
	Logan Jones, offense
	Hayden Large, offense
	Beau Stephens, offense
	Aaron Graves, defense
	TJ Hall, defense
	Xavier Nwankpa, defense
	Hayden Large, special teams
	Jaxon Rexroth, special teams
Reggie Roby Special Teams Award	Drew Stevens, specialist
	Kaden Wetjen, specialist
	Jaxon Rexroth, overall
	Landyn Van Kekerix
Team Leader Award	Ryan Fitzgerald, offense
	Braeden Jackson, offense
	Apollo Payne, offense
	Jimmy Sullivan, offense
	Drew Campbell, defense
	Drew MacPherson, defense
	Jacob Wallace, defense
	Burke Gautcher, special teams
	Braeden Jackson, special teams
	Jackson Naeve, special teams
Brett Greenwood Award	Jaxon Rexroth
	Drew Stevens
Comeback Player of the Year	Michael Myslinski
	Reece Vander Zee
Coaches Appreciation Award	Dayton Howard, offense
	Trevor Lauck, offense
	Zach Ortwerth, offense
	Jaziun Patterson, offense
	Luke Gaffney, defense
	Alex Mota, defense
	Jeremiah Pittman, defense
	Zach Twedt, defense
	Nolan DeLong, special teams
	Jayden Montgomery, special teams
	Xavier Nwankpa, special teams
	Kelby Telander, special teams
Team Hustle Award	Leighton Jones, offense
	Kamari Moulton, offense
	Sam Phillips, offense
	Kade Pieper, offense
	Terrell Washington, Jr., offense
	Bryce Hawthorne, defense
	Max Llewellyn, defense
	Zach Lutmer, defense
	Karson Sharar, defense
	TJ Hall, special teams
	Koen Entringer, special teams
	Landyn Van Kekerix, special teams
	Jaylen Watson, special teams
Next Man In Award	Jack Dotzler, offense
	Nathan McNeil, offense
	DJ Vonnahme, offense
	Xavier Williams, offense
	Jayden Montgomery, defense
	Rashad Godrey, Jr., defense
Bump Elliott Award	Justin Elsner & Drew Kocken
Distinguished Service Award	Doug Kray