Tag: jack koerner

Former Iowa Hawkeyes safety Jack Koerner performing well in the XFL

Iowa Hawkeyes seem to perform wherever and whenever. Despite an injury, Jack Koerner’s strong XFL performance shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Jack Koerner was a bit of a hard-nosed, do-what-needed-to-be-done type of player with the Iowa Hawkeyes throughout his career and that is continuing for him in the XFL.

The former Hawkeye safety is a member of the San Antonio Brahmas and is making the most of the opportunity to continue playing professional football at the next level.

The XFL is also seeing strong support from fans as they work to sustain success and become another viable professional football league. The early signs point to being on the right path and catering to America’s appetite for football.

The San Antonio Brahmas’ Week 8 game against the Houston Roughnecks on ABC had viewership that surpassed an average of one million viewers.

Here is a look at the season Jack Koerner is having in the XFL along with his stats, a handful of highlights from his play, his family, and an update on his current status.

Former Iowa Hawkeyes making noise in the XFL

Former Iowa Hawkeyes Jack Koerner, Jack Heflin, and Shaun Beyer are making noise in the XFL. Here is an update on the trio.

The XFL is underway and two weeks into their season. The league is serving as a bit of a proving ground for players looking to make a splash and latch onto an NFL team heading into the 2023 season. Many of these players have spent time in the NFL and are using this opportunity to make their way back.

Dargan Southard of the Des Moines Register rounded up the players that are former Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones that are playing in the league. The Hawkeyes have three former members playing right now.

The XFL is heading into Week 3 of a 10-week season followed by a playoff including the four best teams at the end of the regular season. The season runs through May 13 when the championship occurs. There are eight teams split into two divisions.

The XFL North consists of the D.C. Defenders, St. Louis Battlehawks, Seattle Sea Dragons, and Vegas Vipers. The XFL South is made up of the Houston Roughnecks, Arlington Renegades, San Antonio Brahmas, and Orlando Guardians.

Here is an update on the trio of former Iowa Hawkeyes currently playing in the XFL.

‘It happens naturally’: CB Riley Moss, Iowa Hawkeyes ready to replace defensive departures

All-American cornerback Riley Moss said “it happens naturally” that players move on as the Iowa Hawkeyes look to reload in the secondary.

There will be plenty of talk over the remainder of this month about how Iowa is replacing some talented members in its secondary. Hawkeyes head football coach Kirk Ferentz mentioned as much after another successful Kids’ Day at Kinnick.

It makes sense, too. Iowa is in the business of replacing 95 combined career starts between Dane Belton, Matt Hankins, and Jack Koerner. Riley Moss, the defending Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, shared his thoughts on how the Hawkeyes can navigate that hurdle and more at Iowa Media Day.

Report: Saints sign safety Jack Koerner with Bryce Thompson likely heading to injured reserve

With defensive back Bryce Thompson likely headed to injured reserve, the New Orleans Saints bring back Iowa safety Jack Koerner.

After an unfortunate injury befell New Orleans Saints defensive back Bryce Thompson earlier this week, it was clear the team would quickly be looking for help at the position. On Wednesday, Thompson was waived with an injury designation and will likely, after clearing waivers, revert to the Saints’ injured reserve list. As with many of the Saints training camp additions, they turned to a familiar face. This time former Iowa Hawkeye Jack Koerner.

Per Sean Fazende of FOX 8 News, the Saints are bringing Koener back after he spent offseason team activities and minicamps with them as an undrafted free agent. Following the trend of signings like quarterback KJ Costello, linebackers Chase Hansen and Alex Anzalone as well as earlier additions like running back Devine Ozigbo, the team leaned on familiarity. Koerner returns to New Orleans after a short time away.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Des Moines, Iowa native mostly focused at free safety during his time with the Hawkeyes. He totaled 88 tackles (3.5 for a loss), 2 interceptions and one pass defensed in his final year at Iowa. He was named permanent team captain his senior year and is a multi-sport athlete lettering in baseball, a quality New Orleans loves in its safeties.

While Koerner does his best to earn a spot with the team to jumpstart his NFL career, the Saints are already piling on a longer injured reserve list than they’d like. If Thompson does indeed end up there, he’ll join rookie linebacker and fifth-round selection D’Marco Jackson, defensive back Smoke Monday, cornerback Dylan Mabin, and offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins. New Orleans has already dealt with its fair share of injuries this training camp, mostly minor, but has done well filling in where needed.

Former Iowa Hawkeyes standout Jack Koerner signed by the New Orleans Saints

Former Iowa Hawkeyes safety Jack Koerner is the next Iowa defensive back to join the NFL as he was signed by the New Orleans Saints.

Another Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back can be formally added to the list of those to successfully make the jump to the NFL. Reports have surfaced that former Iowa safety Jack Koerner has been signed to a contract by the New Orleans Saints.

Koerner was signed by the Saints immediately following the draft but then waived to clear roster space. He finds himself back in New Orleans as NFL preseason is about to get underway for nearly all franchises this weekend.

Koerner spent five years in the Iowa football program and undoubtedly made the most of it. Throughout his career he totaled 32 games started, 216 tackles, 16 pass breakups, and six interceptions.

His output and pedigree only adds credence to the cheat code that Iowa is for defensive backs to make it to the NFL. In New Orleans, Koerner will have the chance to learn from one of the best safeties in the game, Tyrann Mathieu.

While signed as a safety, Koerner will likely get his chance to make his mark during preseason on special teams. Special teams can get guys like him noticed and takes the same mentality that it does at Iowa to get on the field.

His path could be similar to another former Hawkeyes safety, Jake Gervase. Gervase bounced around the league for a while and was cut a few times but persevered until he ultimately raised the Lombardi Trophy as a member of the Los Angeles Rams last season. Gervase resigned with the Rams in May.

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3 players we’re watching at Day 14 of Saints training camp

With the Houston Texans around the corner, these three players command a closer look at Saints camp Day 14, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

During yesterday’s New Orleans Saints practice we focused on three players that will benefit from preseason playing time. Of them, hometown product  and wide receiver Dai’Jean Dixon had the best day. Today, we’ll focus in on three more players battling for a roster spot with a heavier lens on defense. Here are three players we’re watching in Saints camp Day 14.

2022 Big Ten Media Day: Iowa Hawkeyes’ Kirk Ferentz previews the college football season

At Big Ten Media Days, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz had plenty to say in previewing the 2022 season.

One of the hallmark signs that the college football season is just around the corner got underway on Tuesday. On the first day of the 2022 Big Ten Media Days, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz was flanked by linebacker Jack Campbell, defensive back Kaevon Merriweather and tight end Sam LaPorta to preview the Hawkeyes’ upcoming season.

After being introduced by Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren, Ferentz opened up with the following statement before taking several questions from the media. Here’s everything Ferentz had to say on Tuesday.

Top 5 Iowa Hawkeyes to use in EA Sports NCAA Football who never got a game

EA Sports NCAA Football was last released in 2013. Let’s look at the Hawkeyes who didn’t get a game that would be the most fun to play with.

Almost a decade to the date since the best video game of all-time was released, college football fans will soon be rejoicing as the momentum towards a new EA Sports NCAA Football game is full steam ahead.

NCAA Football ’14 released on July 9, 2013, and is still played to this day by many avid fans as it was the final college football game released amidst conversations of compensating players in the game for usage of their likenesses.

Fast forward to now, it appears that EA Sports will be bringing back NCAA Football in July of 2023. The 10-year wait for fans of all ages is almost at an end.

It has been rumored that EA Sports already has 120 FBS schools on board with the game and have begun working with them to get realistic stadium noises, music, and even chants. These schools will be paid out on a tiered basis depending on their top-25 finishes.

All of that said, there was an era from 2014-2021 that saw no NCAA Football games released. There is a large group of big time players that never saw themselves in a game. Joe Burrow from LSU’s title run in 2019, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray in Norman, Okla., Christian McCaffrey at Stanford, and many more.

The Iowa Hawkeyes also had some guys who were like real life video game characters. Who would be the five most fun Hawkeyes to play with in NCAA Football that never got a game over the past decade? Let’s discuss!

Riley Moss was Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated Big Ten cornerback in 2021

After an All-American performance in 2021, Pro Football Focus graded Riley Moss as the highest-rated cornerback in the Big Ten.

There is something special going on in Iowa City. It has been being built for quite some time. And it will continue to build for a while after. For now, though, the fruits of the labor are starting to be seen.

Another Iowa defender finds himself among the top. This time it is cornerback Riley Moss being graded out as the best cornerback in the Big Ten during the 2021 season.

This comes directly on the heels of PFF also sharing news that Riley Moss was the only cornerback in the country to have back-to-back seasons graded above 75 during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.

Moss was a name to watch following the season as there was discussion of him making the leap to the NFL to join a long line of Iowa Hawkeyes defensive backs to make it to the next level. Moss ultimately chose to use his final year of eligibility and stick around Iowa City for one more season.

His decision relieved many Hawkeye fans and provides an experienced veteran on the back end that can anchor the secondary. His experience could prove to be invaluable after Dane Belton, Matt Hankins, and [autotag]Jack Koerner[/autotag] departed for the NFL.

With a more youthful secondary, Moss has the experience to act as a coach on the field and provide a steadying force to a defense that looks to stay stout.

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Former Hawkeye and current NFL safety Micah Hyde calls Iowa a ‘cheat code’ to the NFL

Former Iowa Hawkeye and current Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde said that “going to Iowa was a cheat code” to the NFL.

The Iowa Hawkeyes just received some of the highest praise possible from one of their own currently starting in the NFL. While on the Pat McAfee Show, Buffalo Bills safety [autotag]Micah Hyde[/autotag] was asked about what Iowa did to prepare him to get to the NFL. His answer was clear cut.

“Iowa is an NFL program fresh out of high school. You come in your freshman year with Coach Ferentz and I had Coach Parker as my position coach back then so I saw him all day every day. They get you ready for the NFL,” Hyde said to McAfee.

What Hyde says is no exaggeration. Iowa is becoming one of the premier schools that is continuously sending defensive backs to the NFL that are not only latching onto a team but becoming contributors. Right now, there are 10 former Iowa Hawkeyes safeties or cornerbacks calling NFL teams home.

Dane Belton, Jake Gervase, Matt Hankins, Amani Hooker, Micah Hyde, Desmond King II, Jack Koerner, Greg Mabin, Michael Ojemudia, and Geno Stone are all products of the Hawkeyes’ program.

That is just the list of former Iowa players roaming NFL secondaries. Overall, Iowa has 48 players currently in the NFL. That is good enough for the ninth-most players in the NFL from all colleges.

Hyde went on to provide the best recruiting pitch of all later on in the interview. His statement resonates and the reaction of the show members tell you everything about just how powerful what he said was.

“Going to Iowa was definitely a cheat code and that’s why they produce so many NFL players because Coach Ferentz gets you ready,” Hyde said.

The players in the NFL speak for itself. Their production at Iowa last year speaks for itself as the Hawkeyes led the nation in interceptions with 25. The NFL bloodline is likely to continue with returning All-American [autotag]Riley Moss[/autotag] looking to become the next Hawkeye to make the jump. The recruiting is showing as Iowa landed five-star safety recruit [autotag]Xavier Nwankpa[/autotag].

The Iowa Hawkeyes continue to grow their reputation for development. They are now seeing that development turn into consistently winning on the field, a high-powered recruiting tool, and evidence that they will give their guys the best chance to make it to the NFL.

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