James S. Wood / arizona daily star 2008

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Chris Gronkowski caught his first career touchdown pass in the Arizona Wildcats' 70-0 pasting of Idaho in Week 1.

Almost instantly, the Wildcats' starting H-Back made a name for himself.

"Once you score, things start changing," Gronkowski said with a grin. "They start calling you by your real name. Before that, it was pretty much 'Rob's brother.' Actually, it was 'Rob's little brother,' too."

Chris, 21 and the older of Arizona's two Gronkowski brothers, has been a pleasant surprise through the first four games of the 2008 season. He has caught two passes for 36 yards and a touchdown while serving as a capable lead blocker for tailback Nicolas Grigsby.

Gronkowski said his first score was "pretty much in slow motion."

"I really couldn't even believe it until the next day," he said. "It was amazing."

Gronkowski has been at the UA longer than his brother Rob, the Wildcats' standout tight end. It's just that his circuitous path to the football field and his blue-collar position makes him the lesser known of the two.

Chris transferred to the UA from the University of Maryland in January 2007, shortly before Rob verbally committed to the Wildcats.

Chris walked on to the baseball team that spring before deciding to switch back to football.

Finding a spot for him proved tough — at least at first.

Chris played fullback at Maryland and switched between fullback and linebacker at the UA before being moved to a new spot — H-Back — in last spring's drills.

The position fits the 6-foot-2-inch, 245-pound Gronkowski's skill set well. As an H-Back, Gronkowski must block like a fullback in I-formations. He can catch passes out of the backfield in offset-I formations, play wingback and — when asked — line up at tight end.

"He's a very intelligent player. He can do a lot of different things — and that's what we like about him," UA coach Mike Stoops said. "He can play fullback and tight end, and we can move him around and play a lot of different positions."

But Chris still has a long way to go if he hopes to compete with his younger brother.

Rob Gronkowski is the Wildcats' main offensive target, a 6-6, 260-pound beast with good hands. Chris is primarily a blocker.

While Rob caught two touchdown passes in a Week 4 victory over UCLA — his first game back since contracting mononucleosis — Chris had no official stats.

"He's catching balls, and I'm blocking — there's a big difference," Chris said. "I need to make all my blocks, get open when I have to and make plays when I get it."

So far this season, Chris has done just that.

"I'm hoping there's more to come," he said.