BROOKINGS — South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski announced Tuesday night that he will officially be returning for his senior season.

Gronowski’s status of returning to Brookings has been up in the air since the Jackrabbits won their second straight national championship at the beginning of January. He participated in spring practices in late March and early April, but there were still questions on his return as the transfer portal was open until May 1.

He posted the infamous “I’m back.” statement that Michael Jordan released when he came back from retirement in 1995 on X.

Gronowski, who won the Walter Payton FCS Player of the Year in 2023, has thrown for 7,590 yards and 70 touchdowns in his three seasons that he’s played for SDSU. He also ran for 1,387 yards and 27 touchdowns. His record as a starter for the Jackrabbits is 37-3.

With Gronowski returning, the Jacks will be the favorites to go back-to-back-to-back in the FCS. SDSU lost many starters on the offensive side of the ball, but have built a program where it’s expected that there’s no drop off heading into the 2024 season.

The Jacks will open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 at Oklahoma State.