Iowa defense with King, Ott in 2016? Too early to tell

IOWA CITY — The Rose Bowl is exciting. The possibility of Drew Ott and Desmond King returning to Iowa's defense next season, that's exciting, too.

Cornerback Desmond King was in Atlanta, Ga., for the Home Depot College Football Awards on Wednesday night. He told ESPN college football reporter Joe Schad that he is leaning on a return for his senior season at Iowa.

Iowa DB Desmond King told me he is leaning toward retuning for his senior seasonDecember 9, 2015

Iowa DB Desmond King told me he is leaning toward retuning for his senior season

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe)

After the No. 5 Hawkeyes' 16-13 loss to No. 4 Michigan State in the Big Ten title game last weekend, King said, 'Season's not over for me. When the time comes, I'll let everyone know.'

Wednesday night's answer is much more pleasing that last Saturday's for Iowa fans. King is a junior and has been named to several all-America teams this week. He led the Big Ten with eight interceptions, tying Iowa's single season mark held by Lou King (1981) and Nile Kinnick (1939). He was in Orlando because he's a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which has been awarded to the nation's top defensive back since 1986.

King is a three-year starter for the Hawkeyes and has started 37 games, with a streak of 36 ending in the season finale against Nebraska because of a minor team violation (late for a meeting). He was fifth on the team with 67 tackles (fourth in solo tackles with 43). King was second in the Big Ten with 25.6 yards per kick return, third with 20 pass breakups and third in punt returns (12.7).

King earned the Big Ten's defensive back of the year award. He was a first-team all-Big Ten selection on the coaches and media ballots, coming in as the lone unanimous pick on the media side. Also, he earned B1G honorable mention as a return specialist.

Last week, King was named the recipient of the Jack Tatum Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive back by the Touchdown Club of Columbus, Ohio. Also last week, King was named one of five finalists for the Walter Camp Football Foundation player of the year.

The deadline to apply for early entry into the NFL draft is Jan. 18, 2016. In order to declare for the 2016 NFL Draft, an underclassman prospect must meet the league's three-year eligibility rule and submit a written application renouncing his remaining college football eligibility.

Last year, 74 underclassmen were granted special eligibility for the 2015 NFL Draft, the second-most ever behind the 98 underclassmen in the 2014 class.

Senior defensive end Drew Ott discussed his bid for an extra year of eligibility on Sunday. Ott was a four-year player for Iowa who suffered a season-ending torn ACL against Illinois on Oct. 10. Ott has filed paperwork toward gaining a medical hardship waiver after two separate injuries took major bites out of his senior season.

Ott played in Iowa's six games but failed to play significant snaps in three games. He suffered a gruesome dislocated left elbow in the second quarter of Iowa's second game. He played sparingly in Iowa's next two games, one of which he started. He then opened Iowa's first two conference games against Wisconsin and then Illinois. In the third quarter of Iowa's sixth game, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which ended his season.

Ott had knee surgery to repair his ACL tear in late October. Last week had his ulnar collateral ligament replaced with a tendon in his elbow, commonly known as Tommy John surgery.

Ott is with the team. He remained a team captain after his injury and even went to midfield for coin flips while still on crutches.

'I don't know too much about it, but hopefully I find out here soon,' Ott said Sunday. 'It kind of stinks being in limbo, but I'm hoping for the best. I wouldn't mind coming back for another year. I enjoy college football.'

According to the Big Ten, a school officially petitions for a medical hardship once the season is completed. The compliance coordinator and head team physician fill out medical statements that include injury dates, prescribed treatments and medical reasons why the athlete could not participate.

NCAA rules allow players to receive a medical hardship waiver if they fail to complete 30 percent of the season before the season's halfway point. The Big Ten's six-member academics and eligibility subcommittee decides Ott's case. The subcommittee next is scheduled to meet Feb. 22-23, 2016 in Rosemont, Ill.

If the Big Ten's subcommittee denies Ott's request, he can appeal the decision to the NCAA's committee on student-athlete reinstatement.

A key component in Iowa's appeal will be the number of quarters Ott played vs. the number of games. The elbow injury against Iowa State severely limited his participation in the following two games. Also, the simple argument of 'what's best for the student-athlete?'

Against Iowa State, Ott suffered a dislocated elbow while diving in a pile for a fumble. He tore the MCL and LCL. The elbow still is in a brace.

'I got those both reconstructed, put back together and all cleaned up,' he said.

The knee included the torn ACL, meniscus and some bone shavings. Doctors stitched back in the major part of the meniscus that tore off, but lost pieces in two other areas.

If he's able to return to Iowa, Ott hopes he'll be 100 percent and ready to go by August.

'Right now, I'm sitting around doing motion stuff,' said Ott, who was second on the Hawkeyes with 5.0 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in just six games. 'I should be full training and full go by August.'

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com