What Rhode Island transfer Antonio Carter would potentially add to the Iowa Hawkeyes
There’s always extra room with the Doughboyz.
The Iowa Hawkeyes should feel great about what they have atop the depth chart at cornerback. After all, arguably the nation’s best returns in Cooper DeJean. Alongside DeJean will be Jermari Harris.
Before an injury sidelined him for all of last season, Harris was developing into a terrific defensive back for the Hawkeyes. He played in 13 games in 2021 and started six games, including the season’s final four contests. Harris tallied 34 tackles, eight pass breakups, four interceptions and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Meanwhile, DeJean was simply sensational in 2022. The 6-foot-1, 209 pound corner racked up 75 tackles, 13 pass breakups, five interceptions (three of which he returned for scores) and three tackles for loss.
For his efforts, he was named first-team All-Big Ten by the league’s media. He also tracked down Music City Bowl Most Valuable Player honors. DeJean registered a 14-yard pick-six, a 34-yard punt return and a seven-tackle performance against the Wildcats.
So, it’s safe to say Iowa feels good about its top two corners. Even though the Nebraska game demonstrated there’s still some growing to do, the Hawkeyes probably like what they have developing in fellow corner TJ Hall.
Redshirt freshman Deshaun Lee was the Hawkeyes’ other corner in the two-deep to begin this spring season.
With all of that coming back, Iowa would still like to bolster its cornerbacks room with depth. Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said as much after the Hawkeyes’ open spring practice.
Asked about wide receiver Brody Brecht’s decision to focus on baseball, Ferentz confirmed that Iowa would look to continue adding to its roster via the transfer portal. He identified wide receiver and cornerback as the position groups Iowa will look to add to first.
“Definitely an area that we’ll look at if we can help ourselves on the perimeter. We’re not deep at corner, either. Probably the two areas we’re kind of looking at,” Ferentz said.
Enter Rhode Island transfer Antonio Carter. Since entering the transfer portal as a grad transfer on April 16, a bevy of FBS programs have come calling. The Iowa Hawkeyes extended an offer on April 19.
Iowa joins Virginia, Kentucky, Baylor, Louisville, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Minnesota, Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, Oregon State, Indiana, Wisconsin, Washington and Ole Miss as Power 5 programs that have offered Carter since he jumped into the portal.
Carter started 21 games over the last two seasons with Rhode Island. Over the past two seasons combined, he tallied 105 tackles, 17 passes defensed, 5.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two sacks and one interception.
The 6-foot-1, 200 pound defensive back has two years of eligibility remaining. Originally from Orlando, Fla., Carter spoke with realdawghuskies.com‘s Mike Martin on Friday to detail his recruitment.
Carter indicated that distance won’t be the determining factor in his ultimate landing spot.
“A place that I can go in and play and make a difference. I’m from Orlando and I’m in Rhode Island so I feel that anywhere away from home is going to feel away from home,” Carter said.
Asked to describe his game, Carter offered up the following description.
“My physicality stands outs as well as being versatile. I can play safety, corner or nickel,” Carter said.
Below is a look at Carter’s highlights from Rhode Island. Plus, his full recruiting profile, statistics from his time with the Rams and how and why his fit with Iowa makes sense.
Antonio Carter's Rhode Island statistics
2021: 45 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss
2022: 60 tackles, 11 passes defensed, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception, 1 sack
Vitals
Recruitment
Offered on April 19
Other offers
Utah State
Virginia
UNLV
Middle Tennessee
Kentucky
Baylor
Louisville
SMU
West Virginia
Virginia Tech
Minnesota
Texas A&M
Georgia Tech
Oregon State
Indiana
Wisconsin
Washington
Ole Miss
How Antonio Carter would fit in at Iowa
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
One thing is for certain: Cooper DeJean is locked in at one cornerback position. The Odebolt, Iowa, native returns after a magical 2022 where he morphed into arguably the Big Ten and nation’s best.
After that, Iowa feels great about its other projected starting cornerback in Jermari Harris. Could Antonio Carter legitimately push Harris for the starting job?
It feels as though Harris is likely entrenched opposite DeJean as Iowa’s other starting corner, but competition is never a bad thing. The Hawkeye coaching staff would welcome Carter’s arrival with open arms and has said that corner is an area of need from the transfer portal.
If Carter choses Iowa, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he challenges Harris. More likely, though, Carter adds a terrific depth piece behind DeJean and Harris. It would also help bide time for TJ Hall and Deshaun Lee’s development.
Why could this make sense for Carter?
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Why does it make sense for Carter? Well, again, he would have the chance to step in and compete. Plus, there’s no better secondary coach in all of America than Phil Parker.
Come to Iowa City and get coached by the best. With two years of eligibility remaining, Carter isn’t pressed to immediately get Big Ten playing time either.
Sure, that would be the hope, but this can be a slow burn, too. Though Iowa fans certainly would hope it doesn’t play out this way, both DeJean and Harris could conceivably exit for the NFL after the 2023 season.
Then, it’s showtime for Carter. Play well in 2024 and leave Iowa City like the defensive backs before you: with your NFL draft stock as high as it can possibly be.
blessed to receive an offer from the university of iowa! pic.twitter.com/0e8y4CNgy8
— Antonio Carter (@AntonioC_viii) April 19, 2023
[lawrence-auto-related count=5]
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF
