By Hawk Fanatic

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football team has a long and distinguished tradition of developing star defensive backs and that apparently was appealing to former Villanova defensive back, Anthony Hawkins.

The FCS Freshman All-American has committed to Iowa after having visited Iowa City this weekend. He announced his commitment on Instagram.

Hawkins, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, finished the 2025 season with 59 tackles, four tackles for loss and two interceptions.

He chose Iowa over Wisconsin and Kentucky and will have three seasons of eligibility.

In choosing Iowa, Hawkins will be coached by veteran defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who also coaches the Iowa defensive backs.

Some of the defensive backs who have risen to stardom under parker include 2015 Jim Thorpe Award winner Desmond King, 2012 Big Ten Defensive back of the Year Micha Hyde, 2017 consensus All-America cornerback Josh Jackson and 2023 All-America cornerback Cooper DeJean, who now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Iowa defeated Vanderbilt 34-27 in the ReliaQuest Bowl this past Wednesday in Tampa, Florida to complete a 9-4 season in Kirk Ferentz’s 27th season as head coach.

In other portal news, former Iowa punter Rhys Dakin announced on social media that he has committed to Michigan State.

His commitment comes as no surprise since it was assumed that Dakin would follow former Iowa special teams coordinator LeVar Woods to Michigan State, where Woods is now the assistant head coach and special teams coordinator under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Dakin, a native of Melbourne, Australia, started in each of the past two seasons for Iowa as a freshman and sophomore.

He is among at least six Iowa players that have entered the portal since the season ended.