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11 Y ou need to be frequently tested in order to lead the nation in passes defended. Iowa's Joshua Jackson welcomes the challenge. Jackson, a 6-foot-1, 192-pound junior cornerback from Corinth, Texas, is tops in the Big Ten and NCAA with 17 passes defended through eight games. His eyes light up when opposing quarterbacks look to his side of the field. "If they throw my way, it's an opportunity," Jackson said. And so far this season, when opportunity knocks, Jackson has knocked it away — the ball that is. Jackson played receiver and defensive back as a senior at Lake Dallas High School, graduating in 2014. He came into the Hawkeye program as a defensive back, but switched to receiver during spring drills in 2015. "ey were short on their depth chart and needed more receivers for scout team," Jackson said. "I was doing well with the scout team so they wanted to try me at receiver for the spring. It was OK, but I didn't like receiver that much." So Jackson and Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz mutually agreed that a return to defense was in the team's best interest. As a freshman in 2015, Jackson saw action in all 14 games, recording eight tackles and two pass break-ups. Last season he played in 12 games with 10 tackles and four pass break-ups. His first career start came in the Outback Bowl against Florida where he made three solo tackles. "at light bulb kind of started coming on a little bit back in 2015," Ferentz said. "You saw him competing as a nickel back and his whole demeanor has grown since then." During the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Jackson relished a backup role behind Hawkeye cornerbacks Desmond King and Greg Mabin. King now plays for the Los Angeles Chargers and Mabin was recently signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. "It has been a slow build from camp, you're a new guy coming in and every day you have to prove yourself," Jackson said. "Every day you have to come out with a good attitude and come to work expecting to make plays. It has been gradual and you have to earn it." Jackson spent the previous three seasons "proving himself " and "earning it" by watching and learning from veterans like King, Mabin, Jordan Lomax, and John Lowdermilk. So far this season, he is fourth on the team with 33 tackles. He leads the team in pass break-ups (15) and interceptions (two). In August, Ferentz called Jackson one of the most improved players on the Hawkeye roster. He excelled in offseason workouts and matured from a preparation standpoint. "e preparation part — going to the film room and bringing it to the field is the main thing," Jackson said. "e first couple years you don't know how to prepare well. It is more about learning and adding things to your toolbox as you go." Jackson's tool box includes a fresh compliment: On Oct. 30 he was named a semifinalist for the 2017 Bednarik Award honoring the nation's best defensive player. at's high praise for someone with nine career starts. In fact, Jackson feels improvement aer every game-day Saturday. "I am able to get better at the position and gain more knowledge, wisdom, and comfort," he said. "e more reps you get, the more comfortable you get. It's about utilizing those reps and growing every day to be the best I can be." NOVEMBER SCHEDULE Nov. 4 Ohio State Nov. 11 at Wisconsin Nov. 18 Purdue Nov. 24 at Nebraska