King named Big Ten defensive back of the year

Everyone knew Desmond King was out there. He intercepted a Michigan prep record 29 passes. That's kind of hard to miss.

Colleges knew and they found the 5-11, 200-pounder at East English Village High School. Along with the 29 interceptions, King set the East English career rushing record (nearly 4,800 yards), which included 2,360 yards and scored 33 touchdowns as a senior. He also wrestled and he had a sweet, sweet nickname.

King came into the world 9 pounds, 8 ounces. He had chubby cheeks and so his mom, Yvette Powell, nicknamed him 'Buddha.'

King was too good to pass up. Central Michigan offered and he said yes. Ball State offered and he again said yes. Iowa was interested, but Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who's in charge of Michigan recruiting, slow played it.

'It's kind of a vintage Phil Parker recruiting story,' Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. 'He had Desmond in the back of his mind and really kind of played it low with us.'

Parker followed a similar strategy with former Hawkeyes and now Green Bay Packer defensive back Micah Hyde. Parker noticed the talent and wanted to sneak one past the recruiting sharks.

Parker clearly knows what he's doing.

On Monday night, King joined Hyde as Iowa's only winners of the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten defensive back of the year (it's named for Ohio State's Jack Tatum and Purdue's Rod Woodson).

King, who finished the regular season as Iowa's interceptions leader with eight, also was named first-team all-Big Ten on the coaches and media ballots. He was a unanimous pick on the media ballot, the lone unanimous selection on either ballot. King also earned honorable mention honors on both ballots.

King was the lone first-teamer for Iowa, the Big Ten West Division champion and 12-0 (8-0 Big Ten) headed into this weekend's B1G title game against Michigan State (11-1).

'I think the first time I saw him on tape was in January after our bowl game that year,' Ferentz said. 'So, the astute judge of talent I was, I thought he'd be a pretty good safety. Then next fall, he's playing corner for us as a true freshman. That's why Phil's in charge of evaluating the defensive backs.'

King's career has been a realization of a dream.

'The first time I saw him (Phil Parker) was my freshman year at a camp,' King said. 'He was coaching the DBs there. I was in the cornerback group, but I was a youngster. I was just trying to soak in all of the information. . . . Coach Parker came to my high school my senior year. Every since, our relationship has become stronger and stronger.'

King has eight interceptions this season, tied for most in the country. He has tied the school single-season record and is the first Hawkeye to lead the league in interceptions since Tyler Sash in 2009 (six). His seventh interception of the season was returned 88 yards for a touchdown against Maryland. He is one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the best defensive back in the country.

Other than King, it wasn't a huge haul for Iowa's defense. The league will unveil offensive all-conference Tuesday.

Other Hawkeyes recognized Monday night: Middle linebacker Josey Jewell was second team on coaches and media ballots. DE Nate Meier was named a third-teamer also on both ballots. Free safety Jordan Lomax was named third team by the coaches.