Iowa football’s Max Llewellyn waited for his chance as a starter. He’s since stepped up on and off the field

IOWA CITY — There’s the moment Iowa football seniors had when running out of the tunnel at Kinnick Stadium. The crowd, each player holding a yellow flower in their hand and their family waiting at midfield for them to trot over and join.

It’s overwhelming, but it’s how the Hawkeyes enjoy their senior day.

Then there’s the reality, playing a football game immediately after. On top of that, the Hawkeyes still have one more regular season game and a bowl game. So, does it really feel like the end of a collegiate career?

Defensive end Max Llewellyn doesn’t seem to think so.

“Last week obviously, was cool, and then this is our last regular season game,” he told The Gazette Tuesday. “But I feel like I'll feel the full emotion after that last bowl game. That’s when I was feeling the most.”

Llewellyn always has been a quieter senior on Iowa’s roster. He keeps his head down, focusing on his preparation for each week. This year was his first year as a starter on the defensive line, but he’s played in almost every game since sophomore year.

“It's tougher for linemen to get some of that note than maybe some other guys do,” Head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “What impressed us in recruiting was his motor, his energy playing.”

But his quiet demeanor isn’t passed off as standoff-ish. The offensive line all have worn t-shirts with his name and photo on in.

Offensive lineman Gennings Dunker and Llewellyn have go up against each other in practice all season, and now Dunker often wears a t-shirt with “Mad Max” written across right.

“Iron sharpens iron,” Jones said. “The way he does things and the way he approaches game is the right way. I think they see that and want to resemble the way he does that.”

Llewellyn’s stepmother, Casey, died of ovarian cancer in January. Llewellyn’s dad, Shawn, created the t-shirts as a way to help raise money for ovarian cancer research. Llewellyn said he’s never been into his own merchandise, but having his teammates support him has meant a lot throughout this season.

“We dedicated that shirt to give all the profits to ovarian cancer,” Llewellyn said. “Make a little special for for her.”

He later added, “Gennings said he's got multiple versions of it.”

It’s not just the off-the-field support for Llewellyn, either. The younger defenders look up to him, too. Llewellyn found his niche at Iowa, and is enjoying the last few weeks of college football.

“I've seen him since I was a freshman. He's been banged up here and there, but he's still out there practicing every single day,” sophomore defensive back Zach Lutmer said. “So when I see a guy like that, that's banged up and out there practicing, I want to do the same when I'm hurt and I can't go anymore. I want to give that extra effort and be out there for my teammates.”

Since making his debut as a starter in August, Llewellyn has recorded 22 tackles — nine being tackles-for-loss and six sacks, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups. His tackles have him tied for his career-high before he steps foot on the field in Nebraska.

The feeling of last week’s senior day made Llewellyn emotional, he’ll admit, but Llewellyn also knows there’s still more football to play.

“It's crazy. I mean, you hear it all the time when you're a freshmen that it goes fast,” he said. “But now that I'm here, it's crazy.”

One last regular-season game, a rivalry he’ll start in for the first very time. Then a bowl game, played who-knows-where just yet.

Llewellyn’s just enjoying living out a goal after waiting for his turn.

“It's just another game. I'm not a super big like rivalry guy,” Llewleyn said. “It's just another team that we're facing this week. It's our last game. So hopefully we can go out strong.”

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