IOWA CITY, Iowa — Former University of Iowa standout kickoff returner Jordan Cotton will serve as honorary captain when the Hawkeyes host Troy in their nonconference finale Saturday on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 3:05 p.m. (CT) and the game will be televised on FS1.
Cotton, a two-year letterwinner, was a member of the program from 2009-13, where he was a part of four bowl teams — 2010 Orange, 2010 Insight, 2011 Insight, 2014 Outback. Iowa won both the Orange and 2010 Insight bowls.
The Mount Pleasant, Iowa, native led the Big Ten and ranked 14th nationally in kickoff returns in 2012 with 19 returns for 536 yards (28.2 average). He was fourth in the league and 26th nationally (29 returns, 730 yards, 25.2 average) during his senior season in 2013.
Cotton had a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown — still the 13th longest in program history — against Penn State in 2012. He had a 96-yard kickoff return to the 4-yard line in the 2014 Outback Bowl against LSU.
His 42.7 kickoff return average on three attempts broke the Outback Bowl record for kickoff return yard average. Cotton also finished his career with 15 receptions for 234 yards and one touchdown.
Cotton is currently in his first season as an assistant football coach at Durant (Iowa) High School.
Cotton 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.
