It doesn’t happen often, as the Iowa Hawkeyes are one of the best teams in the country at keeping their guys in house, even amid the transfer portal world, but they have let a big one get away.
That big one is a former Hawkeye defensive back, John Nestor, who departed Iowa after the 2024 season via the transfer portal and landed at one of Iowa’s rivals, the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Since joining the Gophers, Nestor has seen extended playing time, more so than while at Iowa, and is thriving for them, blossoming into a strong, starting cornerback. This season, he has not allowed a touchdown and is grading out very well in coverage, per Pro Football Focus.
In four games with Minnesota this year, John Nestor has tallied nine total tackles while reeling in two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and has broken up three passes.
While at Iowa in 2023-24, Nestoa appeared in 20 games, but registered just 16 tackles and one fumble recovery in limited time, which contributed to his decision to transfer.
A product of Marist High School in Chicago, Illinois, John Nestor was a three-star recruit rated as the No. 66 safety and No. 14 player from Illinois in the class of 2023, per 247Sports.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: One That Got Away: Former Iowa football DB thriving at Big Ten rival
Reporting by Riley Donald, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
