In 2015, Iowa football cornerback Desmond King rose to become arguably the best defensive back in the nation. He tied Iowa’s school record with eight interceptions, became a consensus All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the best cornerback each year.
King then became the first Jim Thorpe Award winner to return for his senior season. With a possible Big Ten championship and getting his degree on his mind, King stayed in Iowa City for one last go-around.
With his historic decision, King made almost every preseason All-American list, finished second behind Jabrill Peppers for the Preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and some even thought he had an outside chance to be the Heisman winner.