Legends of Kinnick: Recent Episodes
Colin Cole
Former All-American & All-Big Ten Iowa Hawkeye football standout, Colin Cole hosts fellow former Hawkeye football players in a sit down conversation about what it took for them to become Division I athletes in the Big 10 conference, what was most memorable about their time as a Hawks and what their lives have been like since their last snaps at Historic Kinnick Stadium.
To this point I’ve had a lot of guys on the podcast. The funny thing about it is that the majority of the Legends I’ve had on had made a change in position from whatever they were recruited to Iowa to do. I have one of Iowa football’s true hidden gems. If it weren’t for injuries and lack of depth along the defensive line, Mitch Kkng may not have become the household name that he is. Ironically tho, the accolades really didn’t seem to motivate this defensive juggernaut but like all my former guests, the Pride he had within himself pushed him to sore like a Hawkeye in opponents backfield’s .....
Ladies & Gentlemen ....... Mitch King
1 of the most decorated Hawkeyes that ever wore the Black & Gold is a man that few people even know about. Mr. John Niland played for the Hawks in a time before coaches Ferentz & Frye, before much Hawkeye success and before it was even called Kinnick Stadium ..... Kinnick was named “Iowa Stadium” until 1972. His All-Conference, All-American, Pro Bowl & All-Pro career will at some point get him to Canton Ohio as an NFL Hall of Famer but in the mean time I’m happy to have him as a guest on Legends of Kinnick ......
Ladies & Gentlemen .... Mr. John “Nightlife” Niland
The next guest I have the pleasure of welcoming to the show only had to fill the shoes of the program’s most decorated kicker of all-time and Kyle Schlicher was able to do just that. In his 3 years as a starter, he was tops in the Big Ten in kicking and left Iowa tied with Rob Houghtlin for the most in a single season. This all-big ten performer left his mark on the Iowa program and his life after football has been one made for legends.
Ladies & Gentlemen ..... Kyle Schlicher
The Hawkeye football program has been blessed with some great running backs over the program’s history. My next guest was one of the Iowa football program’s biggest stars ... Fred Russell’s career as a Hawkeye was dominant and he remains one of Iowa Football’s all time greatest....
Ladies & Gentlemen ....... Fred Russell
World renowned Inspirational Auhor, Israelmore Ayivor quotes:
“Leaders believe that falling is not failing, but refusal to rise up after falling is the real form of failure!”
This quote best speaks to today’s guest. Struggles are apart of ALL of our lives but Clinton Solomon didn’t let his struggles defeat him....
Ladies & Gentlemen.... Clinton Solomon
With a Nose for Football, Pat Angerer made play after play on his way to being named All-Conference & All-American. Another Hawkeye product out of the same Bettendorf High School that produced Hawk Legend Tavoan Banks, this gifted defensive Ball Hawk managed to always be present. His 2009 season performance still puts him amongst the top 5 all-time single season tacklers with 145....
Ladies & Gentlemen ............ Patrick Aaron Angerer
The Legends of Kinnick podcast has taken us down some awesome paths and the next guest is NO exception. Marcus Paschal had tremendous career patrolling Iowa’s secondary, but take a listen to how that almost wasn’t the case! From the uncertainty navigating the recruiting process to competing in a super talented Defensive Back’s room. His story has all the familiarity of a unique Hawk story!
Ladies & Gentlemen..... Marcus Paschal
The University of Iowa has done well throughout the years of recruiting student athletes from junior and community colleges throughout the country. These athletes have taken a different route due to any number of reasons. My next guest went this route and found a lot of success in his career. CJ Jones was a Florida product with a lot of speed and the talent to step in right away and contribute offensively for the Hawkeyes. However, it was on special teams that CJ really stood out throughout his time at Iowa. During his two years at Iowa, Jones recorded 72 catches for 902 yards and 10 scores. He caught 9 touchdown passes in Iowa's 2002 BCS season. His opening kickoff 100 yard return for touchdown in the Orange Bowl remains the longest in the history of that game!
Ladies & Gentlemen.... CJ Jones
Today’s guest came to the University of Iowa from just a mere hour and a half away in Dyersville, Iowa. This small town is known for the 1989 movie “Field of Dreams,” staring Kevin Costner, being a small farming community & being home to Hawk Legend Mike Haight. Early on in Coach Hayden Fry’a tenure he was able to land a prime time recruit that would end up solidifying an offensive line in the mid 80s that would lead the way for NFL Pro Bowler Ronnie Harmon, blacking for Heisman candidate Chuck Long & becoming Big Ten offensive lineman of the year in 1985. Mike Haight’s rise to becoming a Legend wasn’t easy but his story will help you understand the dynamic of Hawkeye Football’s early Fry Teams.
Ladies & Gentleman.... Mike Haight
Today’s guest hails from Buffalo Grove Illinois where he helped his Stevenson Patriots football team earn three straight trips to state playoffs . . . He was also team captain as a senior . . . rushed 153 times for 1,657 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior . . . Not to mention 182 carries for 1,149 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. He Earned first team all-state, all-area and all-conference honors as a senior . . . Not to mention all-county, all-area and all-conference honors as a junior. My guest chose the Air Force Academy out of high school with the interest in both the armed forces and pursuing his athletic dreams with the Falcons. After a short stint there he made the decision to leave and walk-on at Iowa. Mark Weisman started his career at Iowa a 7th string Full-back and left Iowa as a legend.
Ladies & Gentlemen....... Mark Weisman
Hawk fans remember Bill Ennis-Inge as that electrifying edge rusher that solidified Coach Hayden Frye's defense in the late 90's. Bill has been an influential man in so many ways but it's his interest in molding young men that shines through all else. Really he's a Legend in so many ways but his time in Iowa City means so much to so many young men, including me.
Bill Ennis-Inge
My next guest is one of the most decorated Quarterbacks not only in Iowa football history but also Big Ten history as only 1 of 3 to Start and Win 3 Bowl Games. Add to that, that he's the only Quarterback to ever start and win 3 times against legendary Penn State head coach, Joe Paterno. In Iowa football history, he ranks top 3 in Touchdown passes, yards, attempts and total offense. But Ricky Stanzi would be the first to defer those accolades to his teammates and that’s part of the reason why Ricky Joseph Stanley is a Legend of Kinnick.....
Few Student-Athletes come to the University of Iowa and have an Immediate Impact. Today’s guest did just that and left a STRONG mark on the Iowa Football Program. One of Iowa’s most decorated players wore the #94. Not only does Jared DeVries personify Hawkeye Football but he’s also considered one of THE BEST PLAYERS ever coached by legendary Hawkeye Coach Hayden Fry. His time since leaving the gridiron in 2008 has been nothing less than remarkable as he’s juggled Family, Fatherhood, Entrepreneurship, Coaching, and most recently being named to the 2020 class of the Iowa Football Hall of Fame....
Jared DeVries
My next guest hails from Des Moines Iowa and went to Waukee High School. The 6’7” Prep was All-state as well as Class 4A Western Iowa Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and named to Elite Western Iowa team he went on to choose his childhood dream school, the University of Iowa and continued his success as an All Big Ten performer both athletically and a academically. He’s currently pursuing his career in the NFL with the Tampa Buccaneers as he was drafted by the club in the 4th round (107th) overall of the 2019 NFL draft. Ladies & Gentlemen...
Anthony Nelson
My next guest became one of the first walk-on success stories during coach Kirk Ferentz's tenure at Iowa. The All-Big Ten performer helped the Hawks win a Big Ten title and reached 3 bowl games with 2 victories during his tenure. Grant Steen's career at Iowa wasn't the most publicized but his athleticism and willingness to be an absolutely selfless team player, in one of the country's stingiest defenses. Ladies & Gentlemen .... Grant Steen
When Kirk Ferentz became the University of Iowa’s head coach, he inherited a lackluster roster with little talent and a well needed over-haul. One of the brightest stars of these otherwise laughing stock, late Fry & early Ferentz, squads was a guy that stood about 6’1” & weighed about 200 pounds. With his Bleached Blond hair and the swagger of a Man on a Mission, Kevin Kasper started as an unknown walk-on and graduated from the University of Iowa as it’s all team leader in career receptions, single season receptions and Touch Downs...
Ladies & Gentlemen, Kevin Kasper
My next guest epitomizes what it is to be Hawkeye Legend. Not only did he leave the university of Iowa in the top 5 in most statistical categories, he was also the heartbeat of a stingy Iowa defense that saw a bowl game in each of his 5 seasons as a hawk...accolades galore but one of the most humble & genuine men I know...
One half of arguably the best linebacking core in Iowa Football history, This guys’ heart & play was unmatched on the gridiron! From Iowa City to Minneapolis, and beyond...Chad Greenway means so much to so many people, & continues to represent the University of Iowa very nicely.....
One of the best things about the University of Iowa is that Coach Ferentz & the Hawkeye Football staff has always done a great job at finding the optimal place to put the talent they recruit. Today’s guest came to Iowa as a Quarterback but made the career change to Wide Receiver. Marvin McNutt left the University of Iowa as it’s all-time leading receiver in TDs and yardage. But his football career has moved on beyond just a player....
Today's show features a hard nosed athlete from the Empire State. The city of Troy was the first place to see this young man's talents before he came to Iowa City. As a Hawkeye he posted impressive numbers including a school record in carries, his senior season as a Hawk. Jordan Canzerri exemplifies the Iowa program and I'm glad he could join the show.....
There are only a handful of men that have successfully made the leap from the gridiron to the squared circle of the professional wrestling world.
My next guest hails from Tampa Florida. His parents Eltore and Margaret migrated from the countries of Jamaica & Montserratian. He attended Iowa from 2004-2008. Unfortunately, he suffered numerous injuries during his college career that cut his playing time short.
However, He didn’t let those shortcomings define his sports career. He left Iowa and later became a powerlifter and a USA Powerlifting champion.
Big E parlayed that powerlifting career into a booming wrestling career. He signed with WWE in 2009 and was assigned to its developmental brand Florida Championship Wrestling. That stint has turned into a wrestling career and now he 1/3 of WWE’s “New Day” tag team wrestling group.
Ladies & Gentlemen.... Ettore “Big E/Big E Langston” Ewen
The next legend that I have coming to show was actually born in Iowa City. This city high product was offered early on by Iowa and made his decision pretty early.
My guest had an interesting time at Iowa that ranged from suspensions early on due to taking supplements that were given to him by a close family member to collecting 152 passes for 1892 yards and 15 touchdowns, good for eighth on the current all-time receiving list at Iowa. He added over 2000 career return yards, to land at number eight on the all-purpose yards list for the Hawks.
As a senior, Kahlil won the 2001 Mosi Tatupu Award for the nation's best special teams player.
Hill went on to play professionally for numerous NFL and CFL teams over his winning a Grey Cup with fellow Hawks Drew Tate & Jovon Johnson in 2007 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Ladies & Gentlemen.... Kahlil Hill
Today’s guest came to Iowa out of familiar state of New Jersey where Iowa has had success with recruiting RBs such as Albert Young.
My guest attended Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey.
He played at Iowa from 2014 to 2017. In his final collegiate game, he was named the Pinstripe Bowl MVP after collecting 283 all-purpose yards and scoring one touchdown . . .
He’s ranked 5th all time with his career rushing totals for 2,872 yards and 4th all time with 28 touchdowns.
And added 761 yards on 71 receptions and an additional 7 receiving TDS
. . . one of four running backs in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in consecutiuve seasons . . .
Not to mention ranking 9th on the All time career yardage totals...
Akrum Wadley went on to sign free agent contracts with the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Legends and Houston Roughnecks....
Ladies Gentlemen....Akrum Wadley
My guest today played with the Hawks from 2000-2005 than went on to play 12 NFL seasons for the Atlanta Falcons after being selected in 2nd round of the 2005 draft and was a key part of 2 Big Ten championships with the Hawks.
He originally came to Iowa as a fullback out of Port Arthur Texas. But was switched over to the defensive side of the ball when we needed more quality players on the d-line.
He finished his collegiate career with 131 tackles (39 for losses), 19 sacks, 24 quarterback hurries, one interception, two pass deflections, four fumble recoveries, and five forced fumbles.
Had an outstanding NFL career with a major highlight.....At the end of the 2016 season, Babineaux and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, (51) where they faced Tom Brady & the New England Patriots on February 5, 2017. In the Super Bowl, he recorded one assisted tackle as the Falcons fell in a 34–28 overtime defeat.
Ladies and gentlemen....Johnathan Babineaux
My next guest was born in Fostoria, Ohio, and attended Fostoria High School where he lettered in three sports: baseball, basketball and football. On the gridiron, he was a team captain during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons with the team. As a junior, Hyde earned Ohio first-team honors as a quarterback, defensive back, and place kicker. Not to mention being named honorable mention as a punter.
He was additionally named a first team defensive back and quarterback in his senior year.
He also earned first-team all-conference basketball and baseball honors in High School.
As a hawk he was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection and also won the Tatum-Woodson Award that is annually given to the best defensive back in the big ten.
He went on to be a 5th round draft pick to the Green Bay Packers. Hyde has been both a pro bowler as well as an all pro selection!!!
Ladies & gentlemen please welcome Hawkeye Legend....Micah Hyde
I'm excited to be coming back with another episode. Hawkeye fans are fully aware of the fact that the University of Iowa Football Program does a fantastic job of developing very good and productive offensive linemen. Today’s guest is no exception. Isaac “Ike” Boettger had the opportunity to develop in coach Ferentz’s offense. That development grew him into an all-conference & comeback player of the year at Iowa.
Ladies & Gents......Ike Boettger
Few players in college football history have had such small opportunity to make a splash as my first guest. Brad Banks got to Iowa City in 2001 but he than burst onto the college football scene in 2002 as a senior. That 2002 season is still regarded as the best in school history and in that Quarter Back of that team became All-Conference, All-American, Walter Camp award winner & runner-up to the Heisman Trophy....
Ladies & Gentlemen... Brad Banks