Matt

Hankins

Hankins (6'0/185) left Saturday’s game against Purdue, but returned to the field shortly after being checked out. Said head coach Kirk Ferentz, “He came back in. They check him. Whatever, I think he fell, that’s what it looked like to me. We’ll see how it is tomorrow and how sore he is.” This is good news for Iowa, as it was already dealing with the loss of cornerback Riley Moss. Hankins has a Pro Football Focus grade of 86.0 overall and an 86.7 coverage grade. He has allowed 18 catches for 251 yards and one touchdown on 29 targets. He has registered three interceptions.

This is a terrible development for the Hawkeyes, as Hankins (6'0/185) became the team’s top cornerback in the absence of Riley Moss. If Hankins is unable to return, that could mean a big afternoon for Purdue wideout David Bell.

Hankins is a three-year starter for the Hawkeyes, so losing him could have done a lot of damage to a defense already set for some overhaul. At 6-foot-, 180-pounds, Hankins is a tad light for the position, but has a knack for getting his hand on the ball, as evidenced by his 12 pass breakups and three interceptions over the past two seasons. Hankins likely would have been a Day 3 pick if he left this year, so it makes sense he would take advantage of the extra year of eligibility and try to boost his stock.

According to Iowa’s radio broadcast, Hankins (6'0/185) was seen grabbing his hamstring at the time of his departure. Whether it’s a muscle injury or merely cramping is unknown. Iowa can afford to sit the junior corner for the remainder of Saturday’s game, but they’re going to need Hankins next week when the Hawkeyes visit Iowa State.

“He has terrific size and speed and showed a lot of progress last season,” Pauline wrote in his analysis of Hankins, a player who he believes will be the next NFL-caliber defensive back to be produced by the Iowa program. Hankins (6'0/185) missed five games due to injury and a one-game suspension in 2018, and he finished the year with 48 total tackles (29 solo) and three pass breakups.

Hankins received the same punishment as fellow CB Trey Creamer, who was arrested on the same charges. Hankins started the first four games this year in the slot but has missed the past four with injury.