Maurice Fleming leaves Iowa

Senior Maurice Fleming's time as a cornerback at the University of Iowa hasn't meshed with opportunity.

Seniors Desmond King and Greg Mabin are four- and three-years starters at the position. King was a consensus all-American last season. Mabin has started 26 games opposite King the last two seasons.

The position is locked down for the 2016 season, and so Tuesday Iowa announced that Fleming, a three-year letterwinner, will leave Iowa via graduate transfer rule. Fleming can play next season wherever he wants. Iowa didn't issue restrictions on his transfer.

Fleming, who broke up five passes in a nickel role last season, said earlier this spring he wanted to prove he could be one of Iowa's top four defensive backs and spend more time in the action.

'I'm going to go out (this spring) and compete and hustle every day,' Fleming said. 'I want to show that I am one of those top four guys so I can stay on the field instead of just being out there on third down. I want to show I can help more on special teams. And just make more plays, just for the sake of the team. We want to win games, that's the main thing. Those two losses hurt, hurt us bad.'

The parting was amicable.

'Maurice has shared his desire to spend his fifth and final season as a graduate transfer at another institution,' Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said in a statement. 'Reese has been a valuable contributor throughout his career at Iowa, and we wish him the best in his final season this fall.'

Fleming, a native of Chicago, played in 33 total games while at Iowa. He came to the Hawkeyes as a playmaking, all-purpose QB from Curie High School in Chicago. He began as a corner and then shifted to wide receiver to help fatten depth as a redshirt freshman before moving back to corner.

That was 2013, when corner was sort of an open position for the Hawkeyes. Then, in the '13 opener, King jumped in for an injured starter and has remained on the field ever since, tying Iowa's season interception record with eight and winning every defensive back honor in the land last fall.

'I feel blessed for my time at Iowa and want to thank coach Kirk Ferentz and coach Phil Parker for their help in making me a better football player and keeping me humble,' Fleming said in a statement. 'At this time I am going to explore my options to make the best of my senior year.'

Fleming filled in for Mabin as a starter this spring. Mabin is sitting out after offseason shoulder surgery. He's expected to return for summer conditioning. Sophomore Joshua Jackson, who also had offseason surgery, has been limited this spring, but should be Iowa's No. 3 corner next season. Redshirt freshman Michael Ojemudia now has some opportunity to make a push for a spot in Iowa's nickel package, which, last season, was a 3-2-6 in passing situations.

MORE: Joshua Jackson flashes potential at cornerback

Iowa also has three incoming freshmen cornerbacks in Lance Billings, Cedric Boswell and Emmanuel Rugamba.

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