Matt Rhule - Iowa Week Interview

[Hawkboys]

I've been thinking a lot about Nwankpa. Obviously, he came in with a big blast. Probably the most memorable high school signing outside of Proctor and all that followed with him. And yet, he never completely captured fandom. Sometimes even drew some mild ire from fandom.

I have really high hopes for this guy in the NFL. He should go and give it a shot.
Guy's never asked for any hype...deserved or undeserved. He's shown he can be part of the team. I don't recall any sideways comments about him by coaches or any time he got punished and had to sit for a series, which means he's doing what is asked of him. I assume he's showing some leadership this season as he's tenured. Clearly he's found another gear and has maintained it. I would think the 'biggest hits' highlight reel for this season is extremely heavy with Nwankpa. Dude is channeling his inner Bob Sanders.

I wanna see him be the breakout undrafted 'star' of Hard Knocks who makes the team and goes on to have a prosperous NFL career. That would make me happy.

Of course, if he picks off Nebby 4 times on Friday and the Hawks win, I'll throw him a tickertape parade and we could consider at least a park bench or a small corner of a plaza near Kinnick in his honor.

I bet he's drafted. He's going to comp well on the tangibles like size and speed.

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

Yah, I am not saying he's "got it".
I'm just saying if this was his first year, we'd all be pretty excited.

For his sake, I want to believe he's just late catching on. Maybe he didn't get developed well. I dunno.
I just hope he gets a chance to show how good he can be (assuming he can be stellar) somewhere. And I hope he makes the most of it.

I think Phil asks a lot of his safeties, however, in the past, we have always had someone that still was fundamental with tackling. Nwampa always seemed to be that second tackler that would fly in and throw a shoulder in. It always made me nervous it would come down to him to making a tackle or someone going to the house.

Several times, he would blow up one of our own tacklers and the ball carrier would go for more yards. I will say we are very blessed that our defense rallies to the ball. All of them. Seen plenty of times Hurkett or one of the D-line cleaning up a play.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I bet he's drafted. He's going to comp well on the tangibles like size and speed.

I think he gets drafted higher than most think. You can't teach his closing speed. He plays and hits like a lot of DB in the NFL. He just misses more than they do. He will get his shot at the next level. If nothing else, he could be a good special teamer given his speed.

X has had a good senior year for the most part. The tackling as a whole in this year's defense has been suspect.

 

[Fryowa]

I think he gets drafted higher than most think. You can't teach his closing speed. He plays and hits like a lot of DB in the NFL. He just misses more than they do. He will get his shot at the next level. If nothing else, he could be a good special teamer given his speed.

X has had a good senior year for the most part. The tackling as a whole in this year's defense has been suspect.

The one I can’t believe is Lutmer. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. He was really good in high school but I didn’t think he was that good. Phil knows how to work some serious magic and Lutmer knows enough to listen close

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

The one I can’t believe is Lutmer. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. He was really good in high school but I didn’t think he was that good. Phil knows how to work some serious magic and Lutmer knows enough to listen close

Blue Collar DeJean. And who knows, how we develop, he could end up being Cooper DeJean 2.0. I like the kid. Around the ball all the time.

 

[Fryowa]

Blue Collar DeJean. And who knows, how we develop, he could end up being Cooper DeJean 2.0. I like the kid. Around the ball all the time.

Great kid too. Super nice parents.

 

[haydensly]

I think he gets drafted higher than most think. You can't teach his closing speed. He plays and hits like a lot of DB in the NFL. He just misses more than they do. He will get his shot at the next level. If nothing else, he could be a good special teamer given his speed.

X has had a good senior year for the most part. The tackling as a whole in this year's defense has been suspect.

Yep.