The university confirmed that Iowa football starting safety Jack Koerner was involved in a watercraft accident at the Lake of the Ozarks last night.
The University of Iowa released this statement:
"“We can confirm Jack Koerner – a junior defensive back on the University of Iowa football team and member of the 2020 Leadership Group – was injured in a watercraft accident at Lake of the Ozarks on Friday, June 12 at approximately 6:30 p.m. Koerner was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Jack had completed the first week of voluntary workouts with his Hawkeye teammates and was at the Lake of the Ozarks with his father, Gary, for a father-son weekend along with other West Des Moines families.”"
They say when it rains, it pours.
In what can only be described as the most trying time in the history of Iowa football, Jack Koerner was getting his mind off of things via a father-son vacation in the Ozarks.
While jetskiing late Friday night, Koener and his friend were hit by a boat and both seriously injured. Koerner was transported by EMS to Lake Regional hospital but is seemingly okay. His friend is still alleged to be in serious condition and was transported by air to the University Hospital.
Koerner walked on at Iowa in 2017, played mostly special teams as a redshirt freshman but was one of the most productive defensive players for the Hawkeyes last year.
Koerner was second on the Hawkeyes last season in tackles with 83 and led the team in solo stops with 49. He also had an interception, forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles. He was third on the team in passes defended with five and none more important than his final play against Iowa State.
Koerner was granted a scholarship beginning with the spring semester of 2020.
As the release from the university states, Jack is a member of the 2020 leadership committee. A committee that carries a lot of respect around Iowa football, but will be especially important this season as the Iowa football program faces claims from former players of a dismissive, potentially racially unjust culture.
Prayers to both of them and all Hawkeye fans send your thoughts to these young men.