Defensive back Jermari Harris will miss rest of season due to medical reason
Receivers Keagan Johnson, Nico Ragaini both could play against Nevada Saturday
By Pat Harty
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Jermari Harris’s junior season as Iowa defensive back has ended before it really had a chance to start.
Iowa head coack Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday that Harris will miss the remainder of the season after having han an undisclosed medical procedure.
Harris started six games at cornerback last season and finished with 34 tackles, four interceptions and four pass break-ups.
“Jermari Harris will not be playing this year,” Kirk Ferentz said. “He’s had a medical procedure done this week, so he’s going to miss the rest of the season. It’s unfortunate. Jermari is a tremendous young man. I thought he showed a lot of growth the last year and did a really nice job and has been a good team leader for us. Just an exceptional young guy, so it’s disappointing.

“It’s disappointing anytime a player has to miss time because of medical reasons, and we’ll look forward to getting him back when he’s back up on his feet and going here.”
Harris, who is from Chicago, was suspended for the season opener against South Dakota State after having been arrested for drunken driving this past April.
He also didn’t play in last Saturday’s 10-7 loss to Iowa because of his injury.
Kirk Ferentz said receivers Nico Ragaini and Keagan Johnson are both making progress and could play against Nevada on Saturday.
“We’ll see. Again, there’s a chance,” Kirk Ferentz said. “Nico is probably further along because he was practicing not that long ago. I remember when he was practicing, recent memory.
“Well, they’re practicing. That’s a starting point. That’s the first step to getting in a game and playing well is practicing. You can’t do it without practicing. Having them actually in a helmet and catching a ball with shoulder pads on, that’s encouraging.”
Ragaini missed the first two games due to an apparent football injury, while Johnson missed the first two games for an undisclosed reason.

Iowa’s offense has struggled without its two starting receivers.
Iowa is only averaging 158.0 yards per game, which is last amongst the 131 FBS teams.
“They’ve missed time, obviously,” Kirk Ferentz said. “Nico is a more experienced player, and he’s been in the fight a lot sooner than Keagan. Keagan you’re looking about an eight-plus-month deficit right now, so that’s what he’s got to overcome. It’s great to see him out there, and it’s great to get Nico back, too. We have to be careful about how fast and how far we push them as we move forward.”
Johnson finished second on team last season with 352 receiving yards, and he tied for the team high with three touchdown catches, while Ragaini finished third on the team with 26 catches for 331 yards and one touchdown.
Johnson averaged 19.6 yards per catch last season.