Conklin gets unique perspective of Iowa-Iowa State week

Joe Conklin knew what was coming but was prepared for it.

The Iowa senior defensive back saw the media herd head his direction Tuesday. Conklin, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior defensive back, was asked to reflect on his life at Iowa State. He didn't shy from the spotlight.

Conklin grew up an Iowa fan in Davenport but got caught in a numbers game in 2005 when Iowa landed a top-10 national recruiting class. He joined former coach Dan McCarney at Iowa State and kissed his first love goodbye.

“I grew up a die-hard Iowa fan. Things just didn't work out out of high school,” he said. “I was in that 2005 class. I was getting recruited by Iowa State very hard, and that's the decision I made.”

Conklin red-shirted in 2005 and missed 2006 with an undisclosed injury. McCarney resigned after the 2006 season and was replaced by Gene Chizik. Conklin went through 2007 spring practice under Chizik and decided to leave Iowa State.

“I think Dan McCarney ... I think it's well understood throughout the state of Iowa that he's a great coach, a great individual, a great person,” Conklin said. “He was such a dynamic personality ... (McCarney was) one of the biggest reasons I went up there. When he left, we had to deal with another personality, having to prove ourselves over again. For these guys (Iowa State players) having to do it twice, it's real difficult on a player going through a coaching change and all.”

Conklin spoke with Iowa's coaches after leaving Iowa State and walked on in 2007. He was ineligible in 2007 per NCAA transfer rules and played sparingly in 2008, seeing action only against Maine and Minnesota.

Conklin made strides since then. He's listed as No. 2 free safety and plays on the kickoff return unit. He said this week he'll most likely join other special team units. He's made an impression on Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz.

“He was always the first guy in the room for special teams meetings even though he wasn't on any special teams, but that's just how Joe is,” Ferentz said. “I mean, he was in here from day one. He's kind of a gym rat-type guy on the football field.

“Great story, tough as heck, and he's just kind of emerged. He's gotten better and better every step of the way. He's got a great attitude. Talk about a guy who loves football.”

Ferentz said Conklin could replace former Hawkeye Jayme Murphy as the special teams' designated headhunter.

Only a few of Conklin's football friends remain at Iowa State, including fellow Davenport Assumption graduate Mike Brandtner. The two remain on good terms but aren't talking this week.

As for his final venture through the annual Cy-Hawk bash, Conklin is frank with his younger teammates about the environment.

“Obviously, it's a pretty unique perspective,” Conklin said. “I've definitely seen what Jack Trice can be like. It's going to be one of the most hostile places in America on Saturday. It's something we're going to have to prepare for, and it's going to be a challenge that we're going to have to overcome. Being there, it kind of gives me an inside perspective.”

“I think we know that we're going to be in for a dogfight on Saturday,”