Iowa WR Paul Chaney is back on track

IOWA CITY - Paul Chaney Jr.'s Iowa football career came full-circle last Saturday, once again running end-around plays in front of a night crowd at Kinnick Stadium.

The senior wide receiver gained 15 yards the only time he touched the ball against Penn State - and second rushing attempt this season - but participated fully in three-wide receiver sets. He showed no ill effects from the most traumatic sports injury of his career.

On Oct. 10, 2009, Chaney Jr. received a punt from Michigan's Zoltan Mesko at his own 13-yard line. Chaney Jr. returned the ball 9 yards before he was tackled by Tom Pomarico. Chaney Jr. then could barely get up off the ground.

Two days later his injury was confirmed as a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. He was out for the rest of the football season and the 2010 track season.

Chaney Jr., a 23-year-old St. Louis native, is nothing but persistent in his football career. His background as the son of an Army major has kept him focused. His father, Paul Chaney Sr., has spent multiple tours in Afghanistan and once stayed up until 4 a.m. to follow his son's prep track career.

It's that background that helped Chaney Jr. fight through the grueling rehabilitation process.

“It was tough, but it was a tough mental process as well,” Chaney Jr. said. “I've never had a major injury like that before. So I had to go in like I was going to practice and go in and rehab the same way: work hard, do what the trainers tell me to do and they had my best interest at heart. It worked out.”

Chaney Jr.'s re-emergence ties his career back together, one that looked promising in his 2007 freshman season. He caught 19 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown that year despite missing the first three games with injuries. He played sparsely in 2008, competing in only five games and catching just two passes.

He was poised for a big role in 2009. As the team's fastest player, he slid into the returner role for both kickoffs and punts. He also saw action as the team's fourth wide receiver. By the Michigan game, Iowa's sixth in 2009, Chaney had touched the ball 23 times on either special teams or on offense. He had yet to break a long return but with his speed, it was bound to happen.

Chaney placed third at the 2009 Big Ten Track and Field Championships in the 100-meter dash (10.46 seconds) and fourth in the 200 (21.17 seconds). He anchored the 400-meter relay team to victory at the Drake Relays and anchored the 800-meter relay team to a school-record performance.

That's speed, right there, something Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz recognizes.

“We need to get him involved,” Ferentz said. “I know he's working hard. He's had a couple good weeks, and we need speed like that. There are not too many guys with speed like that, so hopefully we can get him involved.”

Chaney Jr.'s Iowa teammates admire his dedication. Fellow wide receiver and St. Louisian Marvin McNutt said he's “seen a new Paul” with his work ethic at practice.

“Paul definitely brings that extra spring and that extra gear,” said McNutt, a junior. “Each receiver has their own gift, and that's something that he definitely contributes to our group.”

“It's kind of like he didn't even leave,” sophomore running back Adam Robinson said. “He just hopped back on and hit the ground running.”

Despite his small frame (5-foot-9, listed at 170 pounds, the team's lightest player), Chaney Jr. has no qualms about getting involved in all phases of football.

“Whatever the coaches want me to do, that's what I go out there and do,” he said. “If they want me to catch balls, I'll catch them. If they want me to run an end-around, I'll run those. If they want me to block, I'll do that.

“I appreciate the coach giving me the opportunity to come back and try to help this team play a role in any way I can. It's a great feeling.”