Jermari Harris Prepared for Comeback

Iowa Cornerback Returning in '23 Following Lost Season to Injury

Iowa cornerback Jermari Harris (27) lines up against Michigan's Cornelius Johnson during the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 4, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa boasts one of the country's top cornerbacks in Cooper DeJean. It thinks it has a strong presence opposite him should opponents choose to stay away from the third-year junior. 

Jermari Harris can further the coaches' belief in him with a strong preseason camp next month. After missing last season with an injury, he's working his way back into the form that led him to being a starter as a redshirt freshman at the end of 2021. 

Harris admitted to feeling off his game at the beginning of spring ball while competing with second-year sophomores T.J. Hall and Koen Entringer. 

"I didn't play football for seven months, or even running," he said. "So, of course, there was a little rust in the beginning. But towards the end of spring, when I got my wheels under me, I felt good." 

Coming out of Lombard (IL) Montini Catholic in the '19 recruiting class, Harris (6-1, 190) chose the Hawkeyes ahead of reported offers from Ball State, Eastern Illinois and top FCS programs. He was the 151st-ranked cornerback in the 247Sports composite rankings for that cycle. 

As often happens in the Iowa secondary, recruiting rankings mattered none upon his arrival to campus. He saw action in the second game of his first season at Iowa State. He ended up red shirting that year. 

Harris appeared in five games on special teams in Covid-shortened '20 campaign. He continued working his way up the depth chart from there. He started the final six games in '21, including the Big Ten Championship contest against Michigan and the Citrus Bowl versus Kentucky. 

The spring depth chart last year showed him as a starter, but he missed the first two games of '22 with an injury. It was then announced that he'd be out all season. 

"I think as we get older, we tend to have a bigger appreciation for everything around us, not only football. Every day is an opportunity," Harris said. 

DeJean may have played safety or the cash position in '22 had Harris been available. Riley Moss, a third-round pick by Denver in April's NFL Draft, had locked down the other cornerback spot. 

Teammates view Harris as a leader whether he's on the field or not. His presence as one of six juniors on the Hawkeye player leadership council last year serves as evidence of that. 

His dedication to that role helped him through his recovery. In turn, he received support from fellow Hawkeyes. 

"It was tough, without a doubt, but I've got my teammates around me. They made it easier for me to continue pushing myself in every way possible. I was trying to get the younger guys ready and helping some of the vets out with film study," he said. 

"That was really a challenge in itself. How can I add value. I think I've done that at a consistent rate." 

Continuing to lead ranks at the top of the list of his goals for '23. He has bigger ones, too, after gaining a new perspective. 

"I want to be the best leader I can be, the best defensive back I can be, to be the best teammate I can be, even outside of the field, just in life. I want to be the best son, the best brother, the best grandson I can be. I'm just trying to be the best person I can be," he said.

"I know there are going to continue being bumps in the road. I'm just going to continue to fight over every obstacle that comes my way, you know, take it head on."