Xavier Nwankpa does ‘what he came here for’ in first start at Iowa

NASHVILLE — Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker showed his excitement for safety Xavier Nwankpa in his Friday news conference.

Asked about the development of young cornerbacks like T.J. Hall, Deshaun Lee and Jamison Heinz, Parker instead took the opportunity to talk about his true freshman safety.

“The way he moves on the field has changed in the last three or four weeks,” Parker said before announcing he would start.

A day later, Iowa fans could see why Parker was so excited for the true freshman safety. Nwankpa shined in his first career start.

“That’s what he came here for — to play,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. “It was really good to see him step in there.”

Nwankpa had an attention-grabbing interception in the second quarter as he returned it 52 yards for a touchdown. His first career interception, let alone his first career pick-6, was a “special moment.”

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“I saw the ball in the air and a chance to go get it,” Nwankpa said. “I really blacked out after that and just ran into the end zone, celebrated with my teammates.”

Nwankpa also was second on the team with eight tackles.

Ferentz took notice of his poise after the game amid the major opportunity.

“I just asked him if he was nervous, and I didn’t want to talk to him before the game,” Ferentz said. “He said no.”

Nwankpa’s progress in the last few months reminded Ferentz in a way of Cooper DeJean, who went from having a minor role as a freshman to leading the team with five interceptions as a sophomore.

“I’m not saying he’s Cooper, but if you remember, Cooper was no household name a year ago,” Ferentz said. “You watch guys get confidence. The world we're living in now. It's just going to happen sooner than it used to.”

The true freshman started taking snaps with the first-team defense after Kaevon Merriweather decided to begin NFL Draft preparations.

“I was getting reps, getting used to everything, getting used to the speed,” Nwankpa said. “Helped me play to this moment now.”

Nwankpa arrived at Iowa with a high profile after the five-star recruit from Southeast Polk chose Iowa over Ohio State and Notre Dame. He has not shown a five-star ego, though.

Nwankpa directed credit for his pick-6 to the rest of the team.

“The team has been pushing me, helping me grow,” Nwankpa said. “Making that play helped show what they’ve done for me.”

Asked to grade his performance in the Music City Bowl, Nwankpa gave himself a “B” because of a “couple mistakes I made.”

"Always room for improvement,” Nwankpa said.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com