Xavier Nwankpa

Xavier Nwankpa
Iowa Hawkeyes – No. 1
PositionSafety
ClassJunior
Personal information
Born: (2003-12-08) December 8, 2003 (age 21)
Altoona, Iowa
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career history
College
  • Iowa (2022–present)
High schoolSoutheast Polk (Pleasant Hill, Iowa)

Xavier Nwankpa (born December 8, 2003) is an American football safety for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

High school career

Nwankpa attended Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.[1][2] During his high school career he had 16 interceptions. He was selected to play in the 2022 All-American Bowl.[3] A five-star recruit, Nwankpa committed to the University of Iowa to play college football.[4][5][6] He was the highest rated recruit to ever commit to Iowa.[7]

College career

Nwankpa played in all 13 games his true freshman year at Iowa in 2022 and made his first career start in the 2022 Music City Bowl, where he had an interception returned for a touchdown.[8][9] He finished the season with 12 tackles. He returned to Iowa as a starter his sophomore year in 2023.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ "Xavier Nwankpa, a sophomore with Iowa State and Iowa offers, is loaded with potential". Des Moines Register. October 29, 2019.
  2. ^ "High School Sports Awards: Iowa football phenom Xavier Nwankpa blends character, competitiveness and skill". USA Today. November 16, 2021.
  3. ^ "Defensive Back Xavier Nwankpa Will be Honored as a 2022 All-American as Part of All-American Bowl's Road to the Dome Tour". NBC Sports. September 21, 2021.
  4. ^ "Southeast Polk five-star safety Xavier Nwankpa announces commitment to Iowa football". Des Moines Register. December 8, 2021.
  5. ^ "Xavier Nwankpa commits to Iowa: Southeast Polk 5-star staying in state". The Gazette.
  6. ^ "Xavier Nwankpa, 2022 5-star safety, commits to Iowa over Notre Dame, Ohio State". The Athletic.
  7. ^ "The significance of Xavier Nwankpa's commitment to Iowa football". Hawk Central. December 8, 2021.
  8. ^ "Xavier Nwankpa does 'what he came here for' in first start at Iowa". The Gazette.
  9. ^ "'Xavier Nwankpa has arrived': Iowa freshman's pick-6 in Music City bowl wows Hawkeye football fans". Hawk Central. December 31, 2022.
  10. ^ "Xavier Nwankpa looks to take the next step for Iowa Hawkeyes football team". The Gazette.
  11. ^ "Iowa defensive back Xavier Nwankpa could be headed for a breakout season". Hawk Central. August 23, 2023.