Sometimes in sports, the best leaders come from the most unexpected places. That's the case for one veteran Iowa football player this season.
Fifth-year defensive lineman Luke Gaffney hadn't played much before this season. He spent years providing depth behind guys like Aaron Graves, Yahya Black, and Jonah Pace. With Graves and Pace graduated, Gaffney is finally getting an opportunity for legitimate playing time. The Robins, Iowa, native has five total tackles so far this season. But his bigger impact for the Hawkeyes has come off the field.
Gaffney has turned into the unofficial pregame vocal leader this season. Iowa has posted multiple clips to social media of Gaffney firing up his teammates before games. The clips have gone viral, and they
led to a question at Kirk Ferentz's Tuesday media availability. He was asked about Gaffney's personality and proceeded to gush about the kind of person Gaffney is.
"I can't say enough good things about him" Ferentz said. "Luke came here as an undersized walk-on. He's got a heart bigger than a refrigerator, but just hard-working. He has every step of the way worked hard, great attitude. Been on the scout team, all that stuff, and now he's earned his way up into I consider him to be a starter. We're rotating the tackles.
"I can't say enough about him. He's worked his tail off. He's extremely positive. Been a really strong leader for us off the field and in the building. Again, you just look at our program historically. We've been very fortunate to have some guys like that along the way, and that's how I think we've been able to supplement our roster and be able to put a good unit out there, a good team out there.
"Not all guys come in with high rankings and recruiting, that type of deal, but end up earning their way to the top, and that's where Luke is at. He's a senior. Very well-respected by everybody. I really appreciate the leadership that he gives us. The only reason he's playing is because he is a tough-minded guy and just a hard charger, and it's every day. It's a good example for everybody that you don't have to necessarily be 6'5" and run a 4.46. It would be nice, but you don't have to."
Gaffney may not have the production of an All-Conference defensive lineman, but his role on this team is vitally important. It goes beyond the extra body and reps he provides on the defensive line. Gaffney is a guy that his teammates trust and love to be around. That kind of trust can't be taught in a film room. It has to be earned.
Ferentz's tenure at Iowa has been filled with stories like Gaffney's. Guys who work their tails off to earn an opportunity and make the most of it. It would've been easy for Gaffney to enter the transfer portal and go somewhere else for more playing time. He decided to stick around, and it's paying dividends for the Hawkeyes.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: 'Heart bigger than a refrigerator': Iowa football praises 5th-year DL
