An undrafted rookie safety, Xavier Nwankpa, is making a serious run at the Kansas City Chiefs’ 53-man roster, and it all boils down to one thing: special teams. This guy isn’t just ready for the third phase of football, he’s been living it since his freshman year at the University of Iowa, a program infamous for those gritty, low-scoring, field-position battles. Nwankpa told reporters after a practice, “That was a big part of what I did in college. 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.” That’s the mindset you love to see in a UDFA fighting for a spot.
The Special Teams Resume is Stacked
When Nwankpa says special teams was a “big part” of his college career, he’s not kidding around. Pro Football Focus crunched the numbers, and this dude played a whopping 466 snaps on special teams over his four years at Iowa. That’s not a fluke either, he logged at least 75 snaps in each of those seasons, with a career-high 187 coming his freshman year. Think about that: 235 punts covered, 108 punt returns blocked for, and 52 kickoff tackles pursued. That’s a workload that screams dedication and immediate impact for any NFL squad, especially for a guy trying to prove his worth. It’s the kind of gritty play that gets you noticed when rosters are getting trimmed.
More Than Just a Special Teamer?
But Nwankpa isn’t just about the grunt work on special teams. He’s got the whole package, pointing to his physicality, smarts, and communication as major strengths. “My physicality can stand out on some tape,” he shared. “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.” That kind of leadership and intelligence is gold. Chiefs safeties coach Andre Curtis was clearly impressed, calling Nwankpa during the fifth round of the draft to snag him as an undrafted signing. Nwankpa jumped at the chance, knowing the Chiefs have a rep for getting DBs “paid,” and he saw an opportunity with fewer veteran safeties on the roster alongside Alohi Gilman. He’s already showing flashes, too: reports from camp mentioned an “outstanding day” with multiple pass breakups, good anticipation, baiting throws, and even an interception. This guy is making his case loud and clear.
What’s next for Nwankpa? He’s gotta keep stacking these kinds of days. The next few weeks are critical, with practices and preseason games being his prime stage to solidify that spot. Every snap counts for this rookie, and he’s clearly ready for the fight.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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