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Nebraska three-star cornerback Darion Jones chooses Iowa Football

The Omaha native chose rival Iowa over Nebraska
ByJordan Underwood|
Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker watches a play during the final Hawkeyes spring football practice of the season, Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. 210501 Ia Spring Fb 041 Jpg
Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker watches a play during the final Hawkeyes spring football practice of the season, Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. 210501 Ia Spring Fb 041 Jpg | Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Iowa's defense is always one of the best units in the nation. Led by long-time defensive coordinator Phil Parker, the Hawkeyes' scoring defense has ranked in the top 20 in each of the last 10 seasons.

Parker is the longest tenured defensive coordinator in the nation, becoming the defensive coordinator in 2012 after being the defensive backs coach from 1999-2011.

Parker's defense took a step back in 2024, and while they had a solid season, they did not put up the same type of numbers that they did in 2023.

In 2023, the Iowa defense ranked No. 4 in scoring defense (14.8 points per game) and passing efficiency defense (102.1), as well as No. 7 in total defense (282.5 yards per game).

The success of the Iowa defense has many contributing factors, including the importance of the defensive backs.

Parker has coached six Big Ten Defensive Backs of the Year, including Cooper DeJean (2023), Riley Moss (2021), Amani Hooker (2018), Josh Jackson (2017), Desmond King (2015), and Micah Hyde (2012).

As the Hawkeyes continue their search for the next great defensive back to anchor the defense, they snagged a three-star Nebraska prospect for the 2026 recruiting class.

Darion Jones, a six-foot, 164-pound defensive back prospect from Omaha, Nebraska, chose the Hawkeyes over multiple schools, including Nebraska.

Jones is from Nebraska and has a brother that plays football for the Cornhuskers, so there was a lot of pressure for him to join Nebraska.

Jones ultimately chose Iowa, stating he had a great relationship with the Iowa coaching staff, including Coach Parker.

He also mentioned that his brother Dallas works for Iowa, and his dad is an Iowa fan, so they were happy with his choice.

Rivals ranked Jones as a three-star prospect, Nebraska's No. 2 prospect, and the No. 573 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.

247 ranked Jones as a three-star prospect, Nebraska's No. 2 prospect, and the No. 548 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.

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