Mike Carter- US Presswire
The Iowa Hawkeyes were in for another year of struggle due to numerous injuries and arrests but one player in particular has kicked it up a notch. At the beginning of his football career, Mark Weisman started out as 7th on the depth chart, but has now worked his way up to the #1 starting running back.
Weisman joined the team in 2010 as a walk-on, redshirted his first season and got no playing time in 2011. At the beginning of this season, his name was non-existant to Iowa fans. His journey to this point in his sophomore year has now been featured on the BTN’s “The Journey.” The intro is a little long but Weisman’s journey begins at 1:34.
The Hawkeyes lost Jordan Canzeri and Barkley Hill due to ACL injuries before the season began. Then Damon Bullock suffered a concussion at the Northern Iowa game and Greg Garmon injured his elbow. Not to mention that De’Andre Johnson was released during the summer for legal issues.
Yes, that is 5 running backs the Hawkeyes have lost since March. It’s known as the “Running Back Curse,” and has been going on for a solid 3 years for the Hawkeyes. But have no fear, Mark Weisman is here.
So far this season, Weisman has rushed 515 yards and scored 7 touchdowns. That’s pretty impressive for a guy that has never played in a college football game and is only a sophomore. Around campus and at the games, you now hear “Weisman for Heisman,” due to his unexpected talent. The coaches have already told him that he will definitely be receiving a scholarship starting in January thanks to his astonishing effort.
Without Weisman, the Hawkeyes could have been in some major trouble for the season. Starting out the season, Iowa lost to two non-conference, unranked teams, Iowa State and Central Michigan. They are now the leaders in the Legends Division at 2-0 for conference play in the Big 10 after defeating the Minnesota Gophers and the Michigan State Spartans.
His story is inspirational and should give hope to anyone that is far down on the depth chart. Keep up the practice and motivation high and you can make it to the top. After today’s win against Michigan State, the Hawkeyes have proved themselves an unexpected competitor in the Big 10 Conference.
