Iowa
Phil Parker has ‘good idea’ of Iowa’s starting cornerbacks, but ‘things change every day’
Iowa defensive coordinator reluctant to name starting cornerbacks with more than a week before start of 2024 season
IOWA CITY — Phil Parker has a “good idea” of who his starting cornerbacks will be in 2024.
But with 11 days to go until the Hawkeyes’ season opener, the Iowa defensive coordinator (and 2023 Broyles Award recipient) was reluctant Tuesday to name who specifically those starters will be.
“I got a list of guys and rank them, but things change every day with us throughout the practice,” Parker said.
Jermari Harris seems to be the likely answer at one of the spots as he approaches his sixth season of college football. He started 12 of Iowa’s 14 games last year, and Parker said he has been “taking a lot” of first-team reps in fall camp.
With another first-team cornerback spot up for grabs, the Hawkeyes’ options include T.J. Hall, John Nestor and Deshaun Lee.
Parker has been “seeing T.J. Hall grow and improve his standard of play.” Nestor is “really doing a good job, very competitive out there.” Lee, meanwhile, is “doing a heck of a job.”
“It’s really interesting to see those four over there,” Parker said. “One day, one guy might have a better day than the other guy. It’s depending on what day and what the point of attack, how productive are they?”
Lee started six games in 2023 — first in place of Harris during his two-game suspension and later in place of Cooper DeJean after his injury. Hall primarily played on special teams in six games before suffering an injury. Nestor played 10 games as a true freshman, also with the bulk of those snaps happening on special teams.
Iowa has not always been keen on rotating defensive backs. Iowa’s Week 6 win over Purdue last year, for example, featured only five players who took snaps in the secondary, according to Pro Football Focus’ snap counts. But its current depth at cornerback could create some options there.
“You can see maybe playing more guys in the back end, if you have to,” Parker said.
Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com
Sign up for our curated Iowa Hawkeyes athletics newsletter at thegazette.com/hawks.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Senator Chuck Grassley said he’s recovering from a gallstone removal procedure.
His media team shared that he is working in Iowa “in good spirits and looks forward to returning to Washington soon.”
“I’m gr8ful [sic] for the excellent care from local health care providers,” he shared on X.
Over the weekend in Iowa I had a procedure to remove gallstones I’m gr8ful for the excellent care from local health care providers Be back to capitol ASAP
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) April 20, 2026
Grassley, 92, is the oldest senator currently in office and the sixth-longest-serving senator in U.S. history.
The Senate is in session this week.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Former Iowa State center Audi Crooks has committed to Oklahoma State via the NCAA Transfer Portal. She has one season of eligibility remaining.
Crooks made 99 appearances and 95 starts during her three seasons at Iowa State. She averaged 25.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game this past season, while shooting 64.9% from the field. Additionally, the 6-foot-3 star shot 1-11 from 3-point range.
Crooks played a leading role for the Cyclones from the moment she stepped on campus. She is a three-time All-Big 12 First-Team selection and two-time All-American. On April 2, Crooks announced her intention to enter the transfer portal.
“Cyclone Nation, thank you all for embracing me and showing up to Hilton every single game day. I’ve met so many of you out in the community, and I will cherish all of the genuine connections that I’ve built during my time at Iowa State,” Crooks wrote. “Words cannot fully express how grateful I feel to have called this place home.
“I want to thank my teammates for their friendship and all the great memories. … I still believe the grass is greener where you water it, and I’ve done that here.”
Now, Audi Crooks will aim to thrive in her new environment. Oklahoma finished the 2025-26 season with a 24-10 overall record.
The NCAA Transfer Portal officially opened on April 6 and closes on April 20. The new 15-day window was enacted following a recommendation by the women’s basketball oversight committee. Athletes don’t have to commit to a new school by the April 21 deadline.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
Five people were shot and injured at an Iowa City pedestrian mall near the University of Iowa campus overnight, police said Sunday. Students from the university were among the injured, according to school officials.
The Iowa City Police Department responded to a report of a large fight in the 100 Block of East College Street at 1:46 a.m. early Sunday, the department said in a news release. Arriving officers heard gunfire.
Multiple victims were hospitalized, police said. Police confirmed to CBS News that one person was in critical condition, while the other four victims are stable.
University of Iowa President Barb Wilson said in a statement that three students were among those shot. None of the victims has been publicly identified.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. Police said they are seeking information about five “persons of interest associated with this shooting.” The university also shared the request for information.
The pedestrian mall was closed for several hours and reopened Sunday afternoon.
-
Seattle, WA5 minutes agoDelta flight from Seoul to Atlanta diverted to Seattle after report of suspicious package
-
San Diego, CA11 minutes agoThe Best Things to Do in San Diego: May 2026 | San Diego Magazine
-
Milwaukee, WI17 minutes agoMarvin Bynum named to BizTimes Milwaukee’s Notable Leaders in Law | Marquette Today
-
Atlanta, GA23 minutes agoAtlanta man convicted of abusing minors while stationed abroad
-
Minneapolis, MN29 minutes agoMan convicted of murdering Mariah Samuels set for sentencing Monday after skipping previous court date
-
Indianapolis, IN35 minutes agoLouisville native set to make debut in Indianapolis 500
-
Pittsburg, PA41 minutes agoPittsburgh’s new 2026 budget is approved, with nearly $30 million in realigned expenses
-
Augusta, GA47 minutes agoGolden Harvest hosting 15th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy