By ESPN | Created at 2024-12-29 18:23:53 | Updated at 2025-01-01 16:31:22
2 days ago
Pete Thamel, Senior College Sports InsiderDec 29, 2024, 01:11 PM ET
- College Football Senior Writer for ESPN. Insider for College Gameday.
South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski, the top player in the FCS in recent seasons, told ESPN he intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal.
When Gronowski appears in the portal, he'll immediately emerge as the top available quarterback, as he went 49-6 as a starter at SDSU and led them to two national titles.
But Gronowski isn't certain he'll remain in college, as he told ESPN he's also strongly considering entering the NFL draft, and the portal entry is a way for him to weigh all of his options.
"I'm trying to weigh all my options to do what's best for me and my career," Gronowski told ESPN. "I'm confident in what I can do in the NFL. If there's opportunities that help my family, I'll change my mind. It's doing what's best for me and my long-term interest overall."
It's a similar tactic to what Cam Ward did last year upon leaving Washington State, as he explored all options before ultimately going to Miami. Ward actually briefly announced he was going to the draft and began training before switching gears and picking Miami.
Gronowski's 49 wins as a starter at SDSU are tied for the most in FCS history with former North Dakota State quarterback Easton Stick. The FBS record for wins is 50, which was set by Kellen Moore of Boise State.
He led SDSU to back-to-back titles national titles in 2022 and 2023 and won the Walter Payton award for the top FCS offensive player in 2023.
He's thrown for 10,330 yards and 93 touchdowns in his career there and is a dual threat as he ran for 1,767 yards and 37 touchdowns.
The decision for Gronowski comes in the wake of the decision of his coach, Jimmy Rogers, who left SDSU for Washington State. That hiring was announced Saturday.
Gronowski is likely to be atop the list of suitors for quarterback-needy teams in the power conferences, as he brings a unique depth of winning and experience.
He's also been squarely on the radar of NFL teams because of his production and affinity for winning. He'll be the most experienced quarterback in the portal, as he's attempted 1,190 passes and completed 63.5% of them.
