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Iowa football: Ranking the top five defensive backs in Kirk’s tenure

By Andrew Wade

MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Joshua Jackson
MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 11: Joshua Jackson /
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EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 21: Justin Jackson #21 of the Northwestern Wildcats is upended by Joshua Jackson #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Ryan Field on October 21, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Iowa 17-10 in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 21: Justin Jackson #21 of the Northwestern Wildcats is upended by Joshua Jackson #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Ryan Field on October 21, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Iowa 17-10 in overtime. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

5. Josh Jackson

Josh Jackson was somewhat of a one-year wonder, but boy was that one year special. When Desmond King was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, many in Hawkeye nation was wondering who would step up.

Well, pretty easy to say, Jackson did, in a big way.

After racking up just 18 tackles, no interceptions, and just six passes defensed in his first two years with the Iowa football team (it didn’t help that he spent one year as a wide receiver), he exploded onto the scene his junior year.

Jackson totaled 48 tackles and an incredible 8 interceptions in 2017 along with 18 passes defensed. He also forced one fumble along the way.

Needless to say, college football took notice as Jackson was named First Team All-Big Ten and he won the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year award for best defensive back in the conference. He also took home All-American honors and received the Jack Tatum Award, which is given to the nation’s best defensive back.

Upon graduation, he was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 45th overall draft pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

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