IOWA CITY, Iowa– The Hawkeyes are going to be even more shorthanded against Maryland on Saturday. Sources informed HawkeyeInsider.com and 247Sports that star cornerback Jermari Harris has opted out of the rest of the regular season to prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Harris opted to return for a sixth season of eligibility and has been Iowa’s most consistent and best defensive back. He ends his 2024 season with 27 tackles, three interceptions (one pick-six) and seven pass deflections. 

“He’s worked hard. He’s a really thoughtful young guy. He’s got a lot going on that way. That’s a good thing,” Ferentz said earlier this season. “That’s part because he’s older, too, and sees a little bigger picture than he did four years ago. But he’s been a good leader for us, and he’s playing well for us out there.”

Harris was a late offer in his recruiting class, but he was determined to go to Iowa after digging into some of the history with them and defensive backs.

“Doing my homework, just realizing a lot of guys who are successful had a similar background as me: a two-star, three-star athlete who played multiple sports,” Harris said of Iowa. “I decided that’s the place I wanted to go. And people told me I was crazy for that because I just started playing football. Just continue to do what I had to do on a daily basis.” 

Harris had one of the more interesting journeys throughout his career. He emerged in the 2021 season and was poised for a breakout 2022, but an injury kept him out for the entire season. In 2023, Harris was suspended two games due to his involvement with the gambling investigation into Iowa Athletics. He battled back and had become a leader of Iowa’s defense, especially in the young defensive back room. 

He became Iowa’s shutdown corner this season with Cooper DeJean off to the NFL. Iowa will have their hands full against Maryland, who has Tai Felton, the Big Ten’s leading receiver. The Hawkeyes are going to rely on Deshaun Lee to step up to the challenge in an attempt to limit Felton. 

Felton is one of the fastest receivers in the Big Ten and has helped boost Edwards’ numbers while breaking the school record for catches in a season. The offense is mostly predicated around him, per 247Sports’ Jeff Ermann. 

The Hawkeyes are set to play against Maryland on Saturday at 11 a.m. Jackson Stratton, who was Iowa’s fourth-string quarterback to start the season, is poised to get his first start as a Hawkeye. 

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