After playing four seasons of football at the University of Iowa, few NFL Draft prospects are prepared to understand special teams like Kansas City Chiefs undrafted rookie safety Xavier Nwankpa is.
The Hawkeyes’ football program is infamous for playing low-scoring, field-position games, which is why Nwankpa is uniquely prepared to make a run at the Chiefs’ 53-man roster. A backup defensive back needs to play a part in the third phase of football; Nwankpa has understood that since his freshman year
in Iowa City, Iowa.
“That was a big part of what I did in college,” Nwankpa said in a press conference following Monday’s practice. “I was a four-phaser through my four years in college, so I just want to keep doing that, and whatever chance I can do to get on the field. [To] eventually develop some defensive reps is what I want to do.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Nwankpa played 466 snaps on special teams over four years at Iowa. His career-high mark of 187 snaps came during his freshman season, but he played at least 75 snaps during each of his four years.
He covered 235 punts, blocked for 108 punt returns and pursued a tackle on 52 kickoffs. It takes a versatile player to impact different parts of a game, but Nwankpa also points to intelligence and cohesion with teammates as strengths of his.
“My physicality can stand out on some tape,” Nwankpa began. “I’m a pretty smart guy, able to communicate very well and help everyone get on the same page, clean up any mistakes on the back end to eliminate big plays.”
The 22-year-old safety revealed to reporters that Chiefs safeties coach Andre Curtis called Nwankpa during the fifth round of this year’s NFL Draft to pursue him as an undrafted signing. He was committed to Kansas City quickly.
“I feel like they get DBs [and] they go get them paid,” Nwankpa shared about why he chose the Chiefs. “There weren’t too many veteran safeties on this team, so I wanted to come in and have a chance, play some special teams; obviously, Coach Spags is a great defensive coordinator.”
With veteran Alohi Gilman leading a safety position consisting of returning players like Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks, the team isn’t necessarily looking for impactful defenders at the safety position. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub, however, may be seeking players to help improve a poor performance by his unit last season.
“[I’ll[ take advantage of any reps I can get,” Nwankpa expressed. “Young guy, undrafted guy, just trying to go out there so when I get my number called, go make some plays and capitalize on those opportunities. That’s all I can ask for.”
