Shocking: Desmond King To Return To Iowa For His Senior Season

Sports Illustrated- Iowa cornerback Desmond King will forgo the NFL draft and return to the Hawkeyes for his senior year, reports the Daily Iowan’s Danny Payne. In his junior season, King had eight interceptions, which tied an Iowa record from 1981. He also recorded 72 total tackles, 13 pass breakups and had 21 passes defended. For his stellar performance in 2015, King was granted the Jack Tatum Award, which is presented to the top defensive back in the country. He was also named the Big Ten’s defensive back of the year, as well as the only unanimous choice as a first team All-Big Ten defender. King broke up one pass and recorded five tackles in his team’s 45–16 loss to Stanford in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

Shocking. And not in a sarcastic way. It is legitimately shocking that he’s coming back to Iowa for his senior season. Desmond King just completed one of the best defensive seasons in Iowa history. He had 8 interceptions.  He won the Jim Thorpe Award.  All of the mock draft boards I glanced at had him projected as a first round pick. Now was the time for King to make the jump to the NFL.  It’s a classic strike-while-the-iron’s-hot situation. Especially since college team’s will know to look out for him next season therefore giving him less opportunities to make interceptions or even make plays. I worry that him not being able to match his insane 2015 season, because college teams won’t throw in his direction, will a cause his draft stock to plummet. That’s why he should be foregoing his senior season and going pro. Don’t get me wrong, as an Iowa fan I couldn’t be happier that he’s staying.  On a team lacking athletes Desmond King is a mother fucking athlete. He is so much fun to watch and I’m glad we get to watch another full season of him in the black and gold. Let’s go 12-0 again and try not to embarrass ourselves on the national stage. That’d be fun.

PS- I think a big part of this is his Mom wants him to finish school and get his degree.  Totally fine.  Momma knows best.  But school is there forever.  NFL checks aren’t.