Desmond King

While Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has built quite a reputation for churning out NFL offensive linemen, the Hawkeyes are a regular producer of professional defensive backs, as well. Iowa's surprising 2015 season featured strong play from the secondary, where King, Greg Mabin and senior safety Jordan Lomax each possess the awareness, ballskills and reliable open-field tackling NFL scouts are looking for. The Detroit native saw action in all 13 games as a true freshman, starting the final 12 contests in 2013. The 69 tackles he recorded in 2013 led all Big Ten defenders and he posted similar numbers in 2014 (64 stops), while tying for the team lead with three interceptions, one of which he returned 35 yards for a touchdown against Indiana.

while king sports broad shoulders, he doesn't possess the height or length scouts prefer in an outside corner, which may limit him to "just" slot duties at the next level. scouts may want to investigate king's football character. iowa suspended him for the first quarter of the nov. 28 matchup with nebraska, reportedly for his being late to a team meeting.

IN OUR VIEW

king already looks the part of an nfl standout with a respectable 5-foot-11, 200-pound frame. whether he is ultimately a better fit at corner or safety will depend on the team that drafts king, but he brings additional value as a kick and punt returner.

--Rob Rang (12/6/15)

strengths

King is an instinctive, passionate defender with the agility, ballskills and quickness to handle coverage duties in the NFL, as well as the physicality and open-field tackling skills necessary to hold up in run support. He's physical enough, in fact, to handle the conversion to safety - the position his head coach, Kirk Ferentz, initially thought he would play.

weaknesses

Frankly, King is a better football player than athlete. He doesn't possess elite agility or speed and didn't face many true speed demons in the Big Ten. King doesn't possess the makeup speed to recover if he's beaten initially.

king possesses light feet and the fluid change of direction to remain at corner, however. he's quick in his backpedal and transitions cleanly, accelerating smoothly to keep up on vertical routes. king is perhaps at his best, coming downhill back to the ball, showing terrific route anticipation as well as the body control and ballskills to intercept passes (ncaa-leading eight interceptions through the 2015 regular season).

These ballskills also transfer well to special teams, where King shows above average ability as both a kick and punt returner. He's an aggressive returner with the vision, burst and courage to continue in this role at the next level.

Established Michigan high school record with 29 career interceptions . . . set school record for career rushing yards . . . rushed for 2,360 yards and scored 33 touchdowns as a senior . . . recorded 56 tackles and seven interceptions as a senior . . . rushed for 1,610 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, with 49 tackles and 12 interceptions on defense . . . rushed for 811 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore, with 44 tackles and 10 interceptions on defense . . . team captain as junior and senior . . . competed on three teams that advanced to state playoffs, including regional championship as a senior . . . helped prep team post three-year record of 32-6 . . . four-year letterman in track, competing in sprint events and relays.

Born 12/14/94 . . . mass communications major . . . member of prep Honor Roll and Principal's List . . .. . . mother is Yvette Powell . . . one of two players from Detroit on the Iowa roster . . . high school coach was Rod Oden.

2016

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
1.0	0.0	1.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
3.5	0.0	58.0	1.0	7.0	0.0	42.0

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
1.0	13.7	41.0	3.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
77.0	750.0	27.0	0.0	27.8

puntReturns
AVG	NO	TD	LONG	YDS
10.2	26.0	0.0	44.0	264.0

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
1.0	14.8	118.0	8.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
58.0	708.0	29.0	0.0	24.4

puntReturns
AVG	NO	TD	LONG	YDS
14.2	17.0	0.0	38.0	241.0