Story byScout Springgate, Hawkeyes WireFri, January 9, 2026 at 11:45 PM UTC·1 min readIowa football secured another defensive reinforcement through the transfer portal commitment of former James Madison free safety Tyler Brown, who announced his decision on Friday. The 5-foot-10, 193-pounder from Annapolis, Md., totaled 80 tackles (40 solo, 40 assisted), six pass breakups, five tackles for loss, one sack and one interception in 14 games for the Dukes in 2025. He was also an honorable mention All-Sun Belt defensive back, adding to his 2024-25 Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s List distinction. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs an added bonus, Brown will have two years of NCAA eligibility when he arrives in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes successfully fended off several high-profile programs in the pursuit of Brown in the transfer portal, including LSU, Florida State, and Big Ten foes Wisconsin and UCLA. The addition of Brown gives defensive coordinator Phil Parker and head coach Kirk Ferentz yet another hard-hitting playmaker on the back end of the Hawkeyes' defense, which has long been renowned as one of the best in the nation. Brown joins Villanova safety Anthony Hawkins, Holy Cross defensive tackle Brice Stevenson, Elon edge rusher Kahmari Brown and Northern Illinois defensive end Lance Ingold as defensive additions for the Hawkeyes in this transfer portal window thus far. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementContact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly ) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNewsThis article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football adds transfer portal commitment from DB Tyler Brown.
