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Iowa football: Iowa Western Reivers becoming talent pool for Hawkeyes

By Andrew Wade

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Nick Easley #84 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled by cornerback Tre Person #24 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Iowa 17-7. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Nick Easley #84 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled by cornerback Tre Person #24 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Iowa 17-7. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 01: Runningback Mekhi Sargent #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field during the second quarter against linebacker Antonio Jones-Davis #48 of the Northern Illinois Huskies on September 1, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 01: Runningback Mekhi Sargent #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field during the second quarter against linebacker Antonio Jones-Davis #48 of the Northern Illinois Huskies on September 1, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Mekhi Sargent

Mekhi Sargent was also a weird situation that Iowa sort of stumbled into. The 5’11, 215 pound running back out of Key West, Florida had an incredible season at Iowa Western. Not only did he appear on Netflix when the Reivers faced off against featured school Independence Community College in the hit documentary “Last Chance U”, but he was named First Team All-American.

Sargent would end his season with 1,449 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns, and only fumble. His running abilities helped lead the Iowa Western Reivers to a #2 ranking nationally and a 11-1 record.

He also knew how to put on a show when it mattered the most. Against defending national champion Garden City Community College, Mekhi Sargent rushed for 376 yards and three touchdowns. In the Iowa Western’s bowl game, he rushed for 151 yards on 7.2 yards per carry.

Despite all of this, the offers were not rolling in. Luckily for Iowa there was a scholarship open, and they happened to find a hidden gem in Sargent located just a few hours west on interstate 80.

What does Iowa need to improve before playing UNI?. dark. Next

As Kirk said:

"Mekhi is a little bit off the beaten path, too. It wasn’t like he was hot in demand, but KB saw him, and the more we got to know him, the more we liked him. We had an opening, and just so glad he’s here, too."

Although most fans knew Ivory Kelly-Martin and Toren Young were battling for the number one spot on the depth chart, Sargent was quietly working his way up. Due to injuries, he has been getting his fair share of playing time the last two games. Through two games he has rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown while adding another touchdown in the passing game.

Losing an Akrum Wadley is tough, but when guys like Sargent fall into the laps of the Iowa football program, it can make the loss a little easier to handle.