Xavier Nwankpa looks to take the next step for Iowa Hawkeyes football team

IOWA CITY — It turns out Xavier Nwankpa was more patient than most Iowa Hawkeyes football fans. Significantly more patient.

The sophomore safety from Southeast Polk put the “bally” in “ballyhooed” recruit when he committed to the program as a senior two years ago.

Five stars, four stars, whatever he was, Hawk-A-Holics expected him to be on the field and making an impact right away. But that’s not always the way it’s going to work, and it didn’t for Nwankpa.

He was more or less a spare part last season until taking over as a starter for Kaevon Merriweather in Iowa’s Music City Bowl win over Kentucky. He had his first career interception, a 52-yard Pick-6 in a 21-0 victory.

“I believe in what Coach Parker is doing,” Nwankpa said of Iowa’s defensive coordinator at the team’s recent media day. “So as long as it took to get on the field (it) was him just helping me get better every day until he thought I was ready to get an opportunity.”

Nwankpa has been listed as a safety starter opposite Quinn Schulte as Iowa prepares for its 2023 season opener Sept. 2 at Kinnick Stadium. There is plenty of work yet to be done and growth to be had, but this talented kid appears to be on the cusp of living up to his recruiting promise.

When you look at him now from a year ago at this time, he’s a much better football player, even if he doesn’t know exactly how much better.

“It’s really hard for me to compare, but I just feel like I’ve grown as a person and as a player,” Nwankpa said. “My (football) IQ has gone up. Coach Parker and everyone on the staff has helped me grow and just really see things in a different way. Watching film with Kaevon helped a lot, too. Just going through what he was seeing when he was here. I’m just trying to put that onto the field right now.”

“Just the understanding a little it. He’s starting to move a little bit better,” Parker said. “He probably got away with some things (because) he’s a big kid, high cut. I think he’s starting to see the big picture and will play faster because he understands what’s going on.”

Parker said that big picture comes into focus at different rates for guys.

“Coop (DeJean) comes in, and he kind of understands it a little faster,” he said. “Then with some other guys it takes some time, and there’s a lot more stuff going on. But as soon as you settle down and understand what’s going on, it seems like every day he’s getting one thing, two things that you’re getting to move on, and that’s all you’re asking them to do.”

“The bowl game helped me accelerate into the spring and throughout the summer and into fall camp,” Nwankpa said. “I just feel like that has boosted me. As a leader, too, trying and keeping everyone in line and up to the standard we have here.”

Nwankpa grew up playing multiple sports and thought baseball might be his ticket at one point. He was a pitcher, shortstop and center fielder.

But COVID hit, he started getting noticed for his football ability, and the rest is history. He picked Iowa over Notre Dame and Ohio State.

“It’s really blown away my expectations,” he said. “The guys that I’ve been involved with this whole time have helped me grow as a person and a player.”

Nkwanpa said he met up with former Southeast Polk teammate Kadyn Proctor in May when both were home from school. Proctor was a five-star offensive line recruit who initially committed to Iowa but switched to Alabama at the last minute.

He was asked if he was disappointed in Proctor’s decision.

“He’s one of my closer friends, and I’m excited he’s doing well down there,” Nwankpa said. “I just really felt like he was doing what was best for him (with the decision). Not everyone has the same path, so to have the opportunity to go someplace else, that was big for him. I’m excited he’s doing well.”

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