IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says cornerback Desmond King, the Thorpe Award winner as the country’s top defensive back, will return for his senior season. King’s somewhat unexpected return should only bolster Iowa’s case as the preseason favorites in the Big Ten West.

Iowa went 12-2 last season, falling to Stanford 45-16 in the Rose Bowl last week. But with the majority of their starters returning next season, expectations will be as high as they’ve ever been for the Hawkeyes next fall.