Kyler Fisher had earned his way into the Iowa lineup by the end of the 2023 season. When the Citrus Bowl concluded, reality began to sink in that the former Southeast Valley all-stater’s collegiate career may be over.

After finding out some of the Hawkeye veterans decided to come back for one more run in Iowa City, though, the future became clear: Fisher had one more season left in him.

“I felt I still had more to give,” Fisher said. “Some of the veterans were announcing they were staying (for 2024), so I wanted to be with the boys and see what we could do as a group one last time.”

Now, Fisher simply wants to leave his mark on the football field as a reliable player and a loyal Hawkeye.

“I want my legacy to be that I was a great teammate,” Fisher said. “I want to be known as one of the guys who is close to my teammates and coaches, and that I’ll help anyone who needs it.

“I’ve been a freshman and know how tough it is at learning the playbook. I want to try and be in there and help players ease into it and not get overwhelmed.”

Fisher has worked his way up the ranks at Iowa and is a strong voice from within the program. For the second consecutive season, Fisher has been named to the 2024 Iowa Player Council.

Fisher, Southeast Valley’s all-time leading rusher and all-time scorer on the gridiron and a three-time state runner-up on the wrestling mat, started as a preferred walk-on for Kirk Ferentz. The former Jaguar star earned a spot on special teams and started a few games last year for the Hawkeyes. He is currently slated to start at LEO linebacker in his sixth and final season, which has included both a redshirt and the COVID year.

“It’s great to be in the starting lineup. I just want to try and do the best for the guys next to you,” Fisher said. “I have 1/11th of the responsibility out there (on defense).

“We want to move forward and do the best we can.”

During the offseason, Fisher was making his voice heard as a veteran and helping the new crop of Hawks find their way.

“I’ve been spending more time with the guys and watching film,” Fisher said. “Being with the defensive backs and linemen and getting more familiar with the other (position players).

“Outside of football, it was important to be with the guys and build (team chemistry) so that the bonds are stronger and we could trust each other.”

Fisher will be part of the Iowa defense that will welcome squads like Oregon, UCLA, Southern Cal and Washington from the Pac-12 into the Big Ten.

“Honestly I haven’t thought much about the four teams coming into the Big Ten,” Fisher siad. “We have been facing great and tough teams for a long time already. We play good teams the first week and then every week.

“It’s the same mentality every Saturday.”

The Ducks (44.2 points per game), Trojans (41.8) and Huskies (36) were the top scoring teams in the Pac-12 in 2023, and UCLA (34.8) was fifth.

The Top-3 squads in the Pac-12 all threw for over 4,000 yards a year ago, with Washington throwing for 5,155 and 343 per contest.

“That’s ben the direction of football (throwing the ball) since the 2000s in the Big Ten,” Fisher siad. “Teams have been able to open it up and throw the ball and spread it out.

“We trust Phil Parker (Iowa defensive coordinator) and our defense to get the job done.”