Iowa’s Chaney happy playing any role

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 - his second rushing attempt this season - but participated fully in three-wide receiver sets. He showed no ill effects from his most traumatic sports injury.

Last October, Chaney received a punt from Michigan's Zoltan Mesko at the 13-yard line and returned the ball 9 yards before he was tackled by Tom Pomarico. He could barely get up.

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

Chaney, 23, of St. Louis, is nothing if not persistent in his football career. His background as the son of an Army major has kept him focused. His father, Paul Chaney Sr., spent multiple tours in Afghanistan and once stayed up until 4 a.m. to follow his son in prep track.

That background helped Chaney fight through the grueling rehabilitation process.

“It was tough, but it was a tough mental process as well,” Chaney 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's re-emergence ties a career back together 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 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 kickoffs and punts and saw action as the fourth wide receiver. By the Michigan game, Iowa's sixth, Chaney had touched the ball 23 times on special teams or offense. He had yet to break a long return but with his speed it was bound to happen.

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

“We need to get him involved,” Coach Kirk 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's Iowa teammates admire his dedication. Fellow wide receiver 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,” McNutt said. “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,” running back Adam Robinson said. “He just hopped back on and hit the ground running.”

Despite being the team's lightest player at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, Chaney 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.”