IOWA CITY, Iowa — Former University of Iowa All-America defensive back Desmond King will serve as honorary captain when the Hawkeyes host Rutgers on Saturday on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2:40 p.m. (CT) and the game will be televised on Big Ten Network.
King has played for four teams in six seasons in the NFL, most recently with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. He earned first-team All-America recognition in 2015 and 2016. As a junior, King was the recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in the nation and earned unanimous consensus All-America honors. He was the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and one of five finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year.
King holds Iowa records for career starts (51) and games played (53), helping Iowa win 35 games from 2013-16. He tied the Iowa single-season record with eight interceptions in 2015 and ranks fourth in career interceptions (14). King is one of four Hawkeyes to have three interception returns for a touchdown. He totaled 263 career tackles, and his 88-yard touchdown return versus Maryland is the eighth-longest in school history.
A native of Detroit, King was the Chargers’ fifth-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. He earned Associated Press first-team All-Pro honors at defensive back in 2018 and second-team All-Pro honors as a punt return specialist.
King will accompany the Iowa captains to midfield for Saturday’s pregame coin toss. He will also be with the Hawkeyes in the locker room before and after the game.
