There’s always extra room with the Doughboyz.
The Iowa Hawkeyes should feel great about what they have atop the depth chart at cornerback. After all, arguably the nation’s best returns in Cooper DeJean. Alongside DeJean will be Jermari Harris.
Before an injury sidelined him for all of last season, Harris was developing into a terrific defensive back for the Hawkeyes. He played in 13 games in 2021 and started six games, including the season’s final four contests. Harris tallied 34 tackles, eight pass breakups, four interceptions and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Meanwhile, DeJean was simply sensational in 2022. The 6-foot-1, 209 pound corner racked up 75 tackles, 13 pass breakups, five interceptions (three of which he returned for scores) and three tackles for loss.
For his efforts, he was named first-team All-Big Ten by the league’s media. He also tracked down Music City Bowl Most Valuable Player honors. DeJean registered a 14-yard pick-six, a 34-yard punt return and a seven-tackle performance against the Wildcats.
So, it’s safe to say Iowa feels good about its top two corners. Even though the Nebraska game demonstrated there’s still some growing to do, the Hawkeyes probably like what they have developing in fellow corner TJ Hall.
Redshirt freshman Deshaun Lee was the Hawkeyes’ other corner in the two-deep to begin this spring season.
With all of that coming back, Iowa would still like to bolster its cornerbacks room with depth. Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said as much after the Hawkeyes’ open spring practice.
Asked about wide receiver Brody Brecht’s decision to focus on baseball, Ferentz confirmed that Iowa would look to continue adding to its roster via the transfer portal. He identified wide receiver and cornerback as the position groups Iowa will look to add to first.
“Definitely an area that we’ll look at if we can help ourselves on the perimeter. We’re not deep at corner, either. Probably the two areas we’re kind of looking at,” Ferentz said.
Enter Rhode Island transfer Antonio Carter. Since entering the transfer portal as a grad transfer on April 16, a bevy of FBS programs have come calling. The Iowa Hawkeyes extended an offer on April 19.
Iowa joins Virginia, Kentucky, Baylor, Louisville, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Minnesota, Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, Oregon State, Indiana, Wisconsin, Washington and Ole Miss as Power 5 programs that have offered Carter since he jumped into the portal.
Carter started 21 games over the last two seasons with Rhode Island. Over the past two seasons combined, he tallied 105 tackles, 17 passes defensed, 5.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two sacks and one interception.
The 6-foot-1, 200 pound defensive back has two years of eligibility remaining. Originally from Orlando, Fla., Carter spoke with realdawghuskies.com‘s Mike Martin on Friday to detail his recruitment.
Carter indicated that distance won’t be the determining factor in his ultimate landing spot.
“A place that I can go in and play and make a difference. I’m from Orlando and I’m in Rhode Island so I feel that anywhere away from home is going to feel away from home,” Carter said.
Asked to describe his game, Carter offered up the following description.
“My physicality stands outs as well as being versatile. I can play safety, corner or nickel,” Carter said.
Below is a look at Carter’s highlights from Rhode Island. Plus, his full recruiting profile, statistics from his time with the Rams and how and why his fit with Iowa makes sense.