Iowa wins out for Nebraska 3-star CB Darion Jones

The Iowa Hawkeyes just struck a huge blow against several rivals. That’s because three-star cornerback Darion Jones has announced that he’s committed to Iowa.

The 6-foot, 164-pounder out of Omaha (Neb.) North also took official visits to Minnesota, Kansas State, Iowa State and Nebraska. But Iowa got the final visit and landed the commitment.

“I felt I had a really good relationship with Coach (LeVar) Woods and Coach (Phil) Parker,” Jones said. “Towards the end the relationship grew with Coach Parker a lot more because he came to my track meets and then he started talking to my parents a lot more and calling me. 

“So I felt really good with the coaches and then as a little kid it was my dream school growing up. My whole room was decked out in Iowa stuff. When I was there for my OV I felt like it was home. It was what I dreamed of and now the dreams are coming true.”

This recruitment was one of the more interesting ones in the Midwest. Not just because all the teams recruiting Jones are rivals. Jones has a brother that is currently a defensive back at Nebraska. There was a strong pull to select the Huskers and team up with his brother. But the family is thrilled about the Hawkeyes being the pick.

“My brother Dallas that works at Iowa, he was so happy,” Jones said. “My older brother DJ and then my parents, they were all very happy for me. My dad’s an Iowa fan and my mom’s proud of me as well. So all the family is loving it. They can’t wait for the Nebraska-Iowa rivalry to continue.”

Defensive coordinator Phil Parker has pitched Jones on starting his career off at cornerback while also cross-training at the other positions. Jones is all in on that plan to just be an overall defensive back in Iowa City because of Parker’s incredible history of churning out NFL defensive backs.

“I mean just looking at his record,” Jones said. He’s put a lot of DBs in the league and help build a lot of great people. When we were having a one on one conversation in his office he told me how he runs his defense. He was really smart about football, it really is insane. He breaks the game down in like different ways and it’s very impressive and very smart”

Jones is the third defensive back to join the 2026 recruiting class for the Hawkeyes. He joins Michigan natives Marcello Vitti and Ronnie Hill. Jones’ childhood dream is one step closer and he can’t wait to make it a reality.

“The thing I’m looking forward to most is walking out that tunnel and hearing ‘Back in Black.’ Really, I can’t wait for it.”