The Sports Desk -- Checking out the secondary

When the coaches go to the mom, it's a serious sell job.

That's what happened this spring when Iowa defensive backs coach Phil Parker called up Pam Hampton, Micah Hyde's mom, about a position change.

"When coach called my mom a while back, I think it was around spring break, he told her I was moving to safety," Hyde said. "My mom talked to my brother [Marcus] and he said it's a good position [Marcus Hyde played safety for Michigan State]. I played it in high school. I'm used to being back there. He said he's OK with it and likes the decision."

Hyde, a 6-1, 185-pound junior, had a solid season as a sophomore cornerback. He picked off four passes, returned a lateral for a TD against Michigan State and returned an INT 72 yards for the game-winner in the Insight Bowl.

At the end of spring practice, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said he didn't know if the move would stick. But then why would the coaches call his mom? That doesn't happen unless it's serious, probably.

So, let's go ahead and assume Hyde is Iowa's free safety for 2011. Who goes where after that?

I heard enough good things about sophomore B.J. Lowery to believe he could step in and claim Hyde's vacated corner. Quick history on Lowery: From Cincinnati, played sparingly until the last part of 2010, played nickel situations in the Insight Bowl. DC Norm Parker talked about his ball-hawking skills during spring practice. Lowery will battle junior Greg Castillo.

Senior Shaun Prater will be the other corner. He went through the NFL draft evaluation and was told he would've been picked after the third round. He decided to comeback, got rhabdo, but seems good health-wise and mentally. The first-team all-Big Ten pick should have a good '11.

Strong safety is sort of a mystery, but when sophomore Tanner Miller comes back he could be the one. He's big and rangy (6-2, 210) and settled in as the No. 2 free safety as a true freshman last season. He missed spring after shoulder surgery, but he'll have a say at strong safety.

KCRG's John Sears and I discuss Iowa's secondary in today's Sports Desk, sponsored by Jim Miller Subaru.

Here's the link. We will be back next week to talk special teams.