Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes Sleeper Star Emerging as Possible Jets Target

Published

12 months ago

March 5, 2025

Iowa Hawkeyes Sleeper Star Emerging as Possible Jets Target

While running back Kaleb Johnson and linebacker Jay Higgins are certainly the biggest names emerging from the Iowa Hawkeyes to enter the NFL Draft this spring, Iowa also has some other very interesting players who will be making the jump to the professional level.

Among them is cornerback Jermari Harris, who may very well be one of the most underrated prospects at his position in this draft class.

Harris is expected to be a Day 3 pick, but he is gaining some momentum as a potential sleeper who could be ready to help an NFL team from the outset.

Bryce Lazenby of The Sporting News recently conducted a seven-round mock draft for the New York Jets, and he has the Jets taking Harris in the fifth round.

“Jermari Harris out of Iowa is a solid mid-round option. Harris collected 27 tackles and three interceptions in 2024 while demonstrating solid ball skills and helping out the run defense,” Lazenby wrote. “Harris has the size to be a solid corner on the boundary and his physicality could be a good fit in Aaron Glenn’s defense.”

Glenn is a former Pro Bowl cornerback himself, so New York would represent a pretty nice landing spot for Harris.

“Harris ended his college career with eight interceptions and 19 pass deflections,” added Lazenby. “The corner doesn’t have the best speed, but his physical style of play prevents receivers from breaking open.”

Harris arrived at Iowa in 2019 but didn’t begin receiving significant playing time until 2021. From that point moving forward, he established himself as a crucial member of the Hawkeyes’ stingy defense.

The fact that Harris is already 24 years old may scare some teams away, but on the plus side, it means he is more prepared for the rigors of professional football.

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Iowa

The One Game That Will Define Iowa’s 2026 Season

Published

40 minutes ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

The One Game That Will Define Iowa’s 2026 Season

When it comes to the Iowa Hawkeyes 2026 football season, it doesn’t get much bigger than Ohio State coming to Kinnick Stadium.

No one knows at this stage where the Buckeyes will be come Oct. 3, but Iowa has a chance to make an early impression against a team that is no stranger to winning the big one.

Iowa’s B1G schedule couldn’t get off to a worse start as they head to Michigan and then welcome the Buckeyes to Kinnick.

Hopefully for Iowa’s sake, their first three games against Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa are enough to get them prepared. If not, things could get ugly.

ESPN Believes Ohio State is Iowa’s Biggest Opponent in 2026

The helmet of Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith sits on the sideline prior to the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Michigan game will certainly be a test, but hosting the Buckeyes is a different animal. That gives the Hawkeyes an advantage like no other, and if there was ever a time to give OSU a run for their money, it’s in Iowa City on Oct. 3.

“The Hawkeyes haven’t faced Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium since 2017, when Nate Stanley threw five touchdowns as they stunned the Buckeyes 55-24. An early October win over Ohio State could propel Iowa into the Big Ten title and playoff conversations,” Jake Trotter wrote.

To put things into perspective, Indiana and Oregon were the other two teams that had the Buckeyes listed as their defining game in the 2026 season. Shockingly, Iowa was actually selected against a team, that being Minnesota. Seeing as that’s for the Floyd of Rosedale, it makes complete sense.

Iowa Can’t Let Regular Season Opportunities Go To Waste

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski (10) throws a pass during warmups before a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions Oct. 18, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last year was seemingly the Hawkeyes’ first time to actually make the College Football Playoffs. They came up short as their losses to No. 16 Iowa State, No. 11 Indiana, No. 9 Oregon and No. 17 USC all added up. Sure, those were by a combined 15 points, but that doesn’t matter, as it’s bad enough that a three-loss team made the playoffs.

Iowa ended with a bang as they took down No. 14 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl, 34-27. Now, all eyes are on either Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown. One of those men will have a chance to make their first B1G start at the Big House in Michigan.

It doesn’t get any tougher than that, as Iowa is immediately putting their new QB into deep water. They’ll have three games prior to that to get up to speed, but other than that, it’s go time as OSU awaits after their trip to Michigan.

Don’t forget to bookmark Iowa Hawkeyes on SI for the latest news. exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and more!

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Iowa

Kee High School remembers legendary coach Gene Schultz

Published

13 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Kee High School remembers legendary coach Gene Schultz

MANCHESTER, Iowa — The state of Iowa lost a titan of the prep coaching world this week. Former Kee High School baseball coach Gene Schultz died on Monday at the age of 80.

Schultz spent 45 seasons as the baseball coach at Kee, helping turn the program into an Iowa dynasty. He won 9 State championships (not counting 2 fall titles, which the IHSAA doesn’t recognize in the record books), and took the Hawks to 19 State tournaments, which is also the most in Iowa history.

His 1,754 wins are not only the most in Iowa history, but the most of any high school baseball coach in the country.

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Iowa

Judge calls state response to comments about Charlie Kirk ‘deeply troubling’

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Judge calls state response to comments about Charlie Kirk ‘deeply troubling’

“A licensing authority’s enforcement apparatus should not be mobilized in response to political pressure to suppress disfavored commentary on a public figure’s death — and this record raises serious questions about whether that is precisely what occurred here,” a federal judge wrote.

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