Iowa Football Transfer Kahmari Brown Joins
Minnesota, a Big Ten rival, wins Iowa Football’s early transfer portal target. Iowa football has once again experienced both opportunity and frustration thanks to the transfer portal, and this time the Hawkeyes were on the losing side of a Big Ten recruiting contest.
Parker Knutson, a standout safety and one of Iowa’s early defensive targets in the portal, has decided to bring his skills to a well-known opponent. Iowa’s secondary plans for this offseason have been derailed by the Southwest Minnesota State transfer’s decision to stay home and commit to the Minnesota Golden Gophers rather than travel south to Iowa City.
Shortly after the transfer portal opened, Iowa was keeping a close eye on Knutson, a 6-foot-1, 193-pound defensive back from Sartell, Minnesota. Following Knutson’s initial tour of Minnesota’s campus, the Hawkeyes moved swiftly, making an early offer and inviting him to visit.
Knutson ultimately concluded that staying in-state was the best course of action for his next chapter, despite Iowa’s potent pitch and track record of producing elite defensive backs under coordinator Phil Parker. Knutson will now try to make an immediate impact for one of Iowa’s most well-known opponents in Minnesota’s secondary as a result of that decision.
Anywhere he ended up, Knutson would have been a useful addition in terms of production. The Division II standout was one of the most productive defensive backs in the nation at his level during the 2025 season at Southwest Minnesota State, starting all 11 games. Knutson demonstrated his ball-hawking instincts and ability to turn games around with timely plays by finishing the season with eight interceptions, which ranked second in all of Division II.
Additionally, he was more than just an expert in interception. In addition, Knutson led his team in pass breakups with six, totaling 14 passes defended this season. Due to his constant disruption, he averaged 1.27 passes defended per game, ranking 15th in Division II nationally. Knutson was a perfect fit for programs trying to add a proven playmaker to their secondary.
The loss hurts Iowa, particularly in light of the program’s recent roster turnover. After losing several players due to graduation and the portal, especially on the defensive line and in the back end, the Hawkeyes are going through a defensive reset. In a position room that takes pride in depth and discipline, adding a seasoned safety with Knutson’s output would have helped stabilize the team while also fostering competition.
Still, Iowa isn’t walking away empty-handed.
Anthony Hawkins, a highly regarded safety transfer from Villanova, has already committed to the Hawkeyes, and his arrival lessens the blow of losing out on Knutson. Hawkins has a different resume, but he offers just as much potential possibly even more in the long run.
Hawkins, who comes to Iowa City with three years of eligibility left, is a great size for the safety position at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds. He had an incredible freshman year at Villanova. Hawkins recorded two interceptions, 59 tackles, four tackles for loss, and forced a fumble for the Wildcats in 2025. He was named an FCS Freshman All-American as a result of those numbers, and several FBS programs soon took notice of him.
Hawkins offers Iowa both short-term assistance and long-term security. Phil Parker’s defensive philosophy, which emphasizes safeties who can tackle in space, disguise coverage, and make quarterbacks hesitate, is perfectly complemented by his length, physicality, and versatility. Iowa’s past performance indicates that Hawkins’ transition from FCS to FBS is not at all concerning.
The realities of the current transfer portal era are highlighted by the divergent paths taken by Knutson and Hawkins. Schemes and development are not always the only factors in recruiting battles. Timing, relationships, comfort, and geography are all important factors. Staying near home and enrolling in a reputable Big Ten program probably had a big impact on Knutson.
Losing a desired target to Minnesota never feels good for Iowa supporters, especially considering the two programs’ long-standing rivalry. However, the overall picture is still intact. The Hawkeyes are still aggressive in the portal, focusing on players who fit their culture and system while striking a balance between short-term demands and long-term roster planning.
Iowa’s defensive backfield is still a work in progress, but it is far from a concern with Hawkins joining the team and more portal pursuits continuing. There will probably be more twists as the portal window develops. One thing is for sure: no commitment or missed one is ever the last chapter in today’s college football scene.
