By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – After playing sparingly in three of the first five games this season, Iowa receiver Kaleb Brown has decided to take a redshirt for the 2024 season.

The Chicago native announced his decision Monday morning on Instagram.

“I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing in additional games this season,” Brown said in his post. “I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program.”

Brown missed the 2024 season opener against Illinois State as part of his punishment for having been charged with drunken driving and for using a fake ID in June.

He then played 11 snaps against Iowa State, seven versus Troy and one at Minnesota in which he appeared to have ran the wrong route on a pass play.

He had one catch for 18 yards this season.

Brown, a third-year junior, is eligible for a redshirt since he has only appeared in three games this season.

Under NCAA rules, a player can compete in four or fewer regular-season and retain that year of eligibility.

Brown transferred to Iowa from Ohio State last summer, a decision that generated plenty of hype with Brown having been a former four-star recruit. He had played briefly in five games for the Buckeyes in the 2022 season.

Brown was considered to be just what Iowa needed at a position that has struggled to build depth and experience.

He played very little during the first half of the 2023 season. But then down the stretch of last season, he was arguably Iowa’s best receiver.

Brown finished last season with 22 catches for 215 yards and one touchdown.

He was expected to play a key role this season under new offensive coordinator Tim Lester, but it just hasn’t happened.

Lester was asked during the bye week about Brown’s playing status.

“Kaleb’s coming along,” Lester said. “Kaleb is still feeling out some of the timing of some of the routes.

“And once he does, we know he can make plays.”

There is now speculation that the 5-foot-10, 200-pound Brown has played his last game as a Hawkeye.

He did not travel with the team to Ohio State this past weekend.

When asked about Brown’s status, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said Brown had suffered a soft tissue injury in practice last Wednesday.