Canzeri will take football lessons into his life

IOWA CITY — It's kind of apropos for Jordan Canzeri's career that he took his graduation walk last weekend with a sore ankle. That's kind of how it's gone for the senior running back during at Iowa.

Bloodied but unbowed, Canzeri graduated with a psychology degree. He wore the gown and mortarboard and walked across the stage and heard his named called. Canzeri decided to go through the ceremony for this graduation.

He graduated last December, too, but, with that sociology degree (criminology track), Canzeri chose not to go through the ceremony.

So, that's a double major in sociology and psychology with a minor in human relations. These are degrees that say the Troy, N.Y., native wants to help humankind.

'I want to be able to help children and make a difference in their lives,' Canzeri said. 'If I have the opportunity to make my dream and play in the NFL, I would love to do so, but if not, I would take this job offer I had with 'Teach for America' and try to get into a master's program for mental illness or rehabilitation counseling just so eventually I'll be able to help children and those suffering with mental disabilities or disorders or even just helping kids at a school to make whatever difference I can.'

Teach for America is a national teacher corps of recent college graduates who commit two years to teach and to effect change in under-resourced urban and rural public schools. The TFA mission statement is this: 'Enlist, develop, and mobilize as many as possible of our nation's most promising future leaders to grow and strengthen the movement for educational equity and excellence.'

TFA offered Canzeri more than a year ago, just before he received his first degree from Iowa. 'I mentioned to them that I had extra time left here and that I was going to use it all,' Canzeri said. 'If it's still there, great. It's motivation for them to get as many people as they can to help them.

'You get sent to underprivileged neighborhoods through a school to help out with teaching or coaching or otherwise just being able to help out in anyway. That's something I'm motivated to do for kids.'

Canzeri made the most of the fifth year. He played as a true freshman, starting in the 2011 Insight Bowl against Oklahoma. He then suffered a torn ACL in spring of 2012. During that season, which ended up fizzling out for Iowa at 4-8, Canzeri was medically cleared and nearly returned to the field. In the end, he decided to take a redshirt year.

In 2013, Canzeri was behind Mark Weisman and Damon Bullock on the depth chart. He made a splash in some mop-up time against Wisconsin and finished the last five games of the season with a flurry, averaging 6.5 yards on 78 for the season. Poised to make a run at some real playing time in 2014, Canzeri suffered a series of injuries, including heel and ankle, that stunted his season, finishing with 494 yards and an offseason ankle surgery (just a cleanup).

Despite breaking out on several levels this season — 976 yards and 12 TDs on 178 carries — Canzeri has now suffered through a pair of sprained ankles. The first happened at Northwestern on Oct. 17 and cost him the better part of three games. The second happened in the first half of the Big Ten title game. He only carried twice, but Canzeri said this sprain wasn't as bad as the last and he plans to be ready for the Rose Bowl against No. 6 Stanford (11-2) on Jan. 1.

Asked if he's tired of his spot in the Iowa training room, Canzeri didn't allow himself a second of pity.

'No one wants to be hurt, but for me, I always focus on the positives,' said Canzeri, who has a chance to become the first running back in the Kirk Ferentz era (17 years) to rush for 1,000 yards in less than 200 carries. 'Obviously, in the moment, I'm wishing that I wasn't hurt, but I'm already hurt and those are the circumstances that I'm given. It's up to me to maintain a positive approach and a positive mindset and to better myself and to make sure I come out of here better rather than just sulking, moping and making the injury prolonged and mental.

'I've had the experience. I've had past injuries that have put me on this mindset, so it's helped me with the physical injuries I've had here and the mental hurdles I face outside of football or things that I'll face in the future. I have the approach that no matter the circumstances, just keep a positive mindset and focus on what you can control.

'There's always a positive way.'

Canzeri is determined to play in the Rose Bowl. 'This one got me back stronger mentally and physically,' he said. 'I feel ready to go and I'm definitely going to be prepared for the game.'

Canzeri is equally determined on his future plans. When going over that he kept bringing it back to helping kids. This seems like a perfect match. Kids need someone who always finds a positive way.

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com