Iowa safety Kaevon Merriweather opts out of Music City Bowl

Iowa safety Kaevon Merriweather has opted out of the Music City Bowl as he prepares for the NFL Draft, he announced Saturday in a tweet.

Merriweather, who earned second-team All-America status from the Associated Press and Sporting News, has been one of the most efficient defensive backs in the country.

The starting strong safety’s 11.7 NFL passer rating allowed is the lowest in the country among players with at least 200 coverage snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

Opposing quarterbacks have completed only 42.3 percent of passes when targeting a receiver Merriweather is covering, per PFF.

Merriweather also made an impact off the field. He was named one of five permanent team captains for the 2022 season and was an advocate for social justice.

“Thank you for all the love and support you have shown me the last five years,” Merriweather said in a tweet Saturday in which he thanked coaches, teammates, family and God. “It will never be forgotten.”

The safety from Belleville, Mich., has already accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl.

Merriweather is the first Iowa player to announce plans to forgo the Music City Bowl. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis and running back Chris Rodriguez have already opted out of the game.

Iowa’s second-team strong safety Reggie Bracy already entered the transfer portal.

True freshman Xavier Nwankpa, a former five-star recruit, could be one candidate to replace Merriweather. Other options include moving Cooper DeJean from cornerback or Sebastian Castro from Cash safety.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com