By Hawk Fanatic

IOWA CITY, Iowa – On the same day the Iowa football team lost a defensive back to the transfer portal, it also has added a defensive back from the portal.

Former James Madison safety Tyler Brown announced Friday on social media that he has committed to Iowa.

The news of his commitment broke shortly after Iowa freshman defensive back TJ Bell announced that he has entered the portal.

Brown, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 193-pounds, finished this season with 93 tackles, five tackles for loss and six pass deflections. He also appeared in all 13 games for James Madison as a freshman in 2024.

He has two seasons of eligibility.

Brown is the second defensive back from the portal to commit to Iowa since the end of the 2025 season, the other being former Villanova safety Anthony Hawkins.

Iowa has significant holes to fill in the secondary with 2025 starting safeties Xavier Nwankpa and Koen Entringer both having moved on. Nwankpa has used up his eligibility, while Entringer has entered the transfer portal.

Entringer could always return to Iowa for his final season, but Iowa is working the portal as if Entringer won’t be back.

Brown will join an Iowa program that has a long and distinguished history of developing standout defensive backs under veteran defensive coordinator Phil Parker, who also coaches the defensive backs.

Brown is the second player from James Madison to commit to Iowa since the portal opened on Jan. 2, joining offensive lineman Trent Wilson.

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti was the head coach for James Madison from 2019 to 2023, compiling a 52-9 record before taking the Indiana job.

Multiple players from James Madison followed Cignetti to Indiana and now the Hoosiers are undefeated and the No. 1 seed in the playoff with many of the former James Madison players having key roles.

Brown is also the seventh player to commit to Iowa during this open period in the portal; the others being the previously mentioned Anthony Hawkins and Trent Wilson, former North Dakota State kicker Eli Ozick, former Holy Cross defensive lineman Brice Stevenson, former Elon defensive end Kahmari Brown, and former Northern Illinois defensive end Lance Ingold.