By Hawk Fanatic

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football team will soon have more depth and competition at cornerback with the addition of South Dakota transfer Shahid Barros.

A 6-foot-1, 195 pound cornerback, Barros has signed a scholarship agreement with Iowa.

The New Bedford, Massachusetts native appeared in 12 games and made 11 starts last season for the Coyotes. He recorded 41 tackles, four pass breakups, one interception and one sack.

Barros also started 12 games during the 2023 season with South Dakota and finished with 49 tackles, four pass breakups, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

Barros will join an Iowa program that is known for developing star defensive backs under long-time defensive coordinator Phil Parker, a former defensive back himself.

The addition of Barros will help to fill the void caused by cornerback John Nestor’s decision to enter the transfer portal earlier this month. Nestor has since committed to Minnesota.

The Hawkeyes return Deshaun Lee and TJ Hall at cornerback, both of whom have combined for 22 career starts, including 16 last season. Iowa also listed cornerbacks Jaylen Watson and Rashad Godfrey Jr. among its initial spring two-deep depth chart.

Wake Forest quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski also has signed his scholarship agreement with Iowa.

The Marietta, Georgia native took three snaps for Wake Forest this past season as a true freshman.

Hecklinski, who is listed at 6-0 and 185 pounds, earned first-team all-state honors as a high school senior in 2023 and was a 2023 MaxPreps National Player of the Year finalist.