A strong, physical defender, Kenny Iwebema had problems staying healthy for an entire season for the Hawkeyes. He has lost playing time due to a pair of concussions (2005 and 2007), a broken right collarbone and triceps tendon damage (2006) and with a right shoulder sprain (2007). He also sat out the 2006 season opener while trying to get academic clearance.

When healthy and motivated, Iwebema has proven to be a capable defensive end. He is more effective containing the run than rushing the passer, but has been known to deliver bone-jarring hits on ballcarriers. He also uses his arm length, reach and leaping ability to excel on special teams, having blocked four kicks during his career.

Iwebema was rated the 35th-best defensive end in the country by Rivals.com as a senior at James Bowie High School. He was a first-team All-Conference and honorable mention All-State and a second team All-Conference pick as a junior. The team captain made 89 tackles and 15 sacks during his career. He posted 48 tackles, 10 sacks and 18 stops for loss as a senior, adding 30 tackles and four sacks as a junior. A three-year letter winner in football, he also lettered twice in track, performing in the discus.

Iwebema spent the 2003 season on Iowa's scout team. He backed up Derreck Robinson at right defensive end in 2004, appearing in 12 games. He finished his rookie campaign with just three tackles. With Robinson graduated, the sophomore took over right end duties in 2005. He produced 48 tackles (32 solo) with seven sacks and 10 stops for losses. He also caused two fumbles and blocked a pair of kicks, receiving first-team All-Big Ten Conference honors from the media.

In 2006, Iwebema was a preseason All-American pick, but managed to appear in only eight games, starting seven. He sat out the season opener vs. Montana due to an academic suspension and was forced to miss four late-season contests with a broken right collarbone. He managed to make 27 tackles (17 solo) with three sacks and three pressures, as he also caused one fumble and deflected a pair of passes.

Iwebema missed most of the Illinois game with a shoulder injury and sat out the Ball State clash with his second concussion. In 11 starts at right end, he posted 28 tackles (11 solo), 3 ½ sacks, five stops behind the line of scrimmage and three pressures. He blocked two kicks and caused a fumble while also knocking down two tosses, picking up All-Big Ten honorable mention.

Positives: His best asset is his strength at the point of attack … Has a frame that can carry additional bulk with no loss in quickness … Has good body control and balance working down the line in the short area (will get narrow and cross his feet when running long distances) … When his head is in the game, he takes good angles in his pursuit to the quarterback (just won't give a long chase) … Rolls his hips well and keeps his pads down to anchor and has no problem splitting double teams … Flashes a better straight-line burst than when taking a wide loop to the ball … Not a relentless high-effort type, but will not hesitate to battle with offensive linemen, as he has that jarring hand punch that can put a lineman on the ground consistently … Lacks good field instincts, but does well timing his leaps to knock down a pass or kick … Uses his upper-body power to squeeze the rush lane and shut down the lead blocker … Best when taking on ballcarriers in-line (does not have the speed to get outside and redirect the ballcarrier) … Does a good job of controlling the action vs. multiple blockers, as he can stack and anchor with no problems (just needs to stop trying to bull rush offensive tackles and try to get an edge on their shoulder instead) … Hard striker with adequate wrap-up skills … When he keeps his hands active, he is efficient at slipping off blocks and getting into the backfield … Needs space coming off the edge to impact the pocket, but improve his timing when doing this … Hits with authority and can separate from blockers when he extends his arms or shoots his hands … Can generate an adequate surge once he clears a blocker, but his burst is inconsistent in attempts to collapse the pocket.

Negatives: Doesn't have great change-of-direction agility or playing speed … Will coast or shut down when not involved in the play … Has a marginal burst, and shows just adequate initial quickness coming out of his stance … Not the most instinctive player, as he does not appear to have good read-and-react skills, whether vs. the run or pass … Falls into a mode where he feels he needs to overpower and punish the offensive tackle and gets so occupied by the battle, he forgets to make a play on the ball … Competes hard at the snap and in pursuit of the quarterback, but will pull up while chasing the ballcarrier at times, especially when long pursuit is required … Will do what is asked in the weight room, but is not a self-starter … Does not take well to hard coaching … Has to use his hands more consistently, as he shows only adequate ability to shed blockers and make a play on the ball … Prefers to bull rush, using his body to lean into the blocker rather than get good hand placement and try to slip off the block … Must show better urgency giving chase … Adequate wrap-up tackler, but would much rather collide with the ballcarrier than engulf and secure … Shows decent leverage and adequate array of pass-rush moves, but lacks suddenness at the snap, taking a rolling start rather than exploding off the ball … Has had adequate production as a pass rusher, but his feet tend to die going long distances and he has just a marginal burst to close on the quarterback … Has had a few minor injuries that might have some questioning his durability (big concern might be the shoulder, as further medical evaluation might be needed) … Very lazy in the classroom and has a suspect work ethic, especially when it comes to game preparation (also might struggle with a complicated playbook) … His body appears top-heavy -- good upper-body development, but skinny legs.

Compares To: REGGIE HAYWARD-Jacksonville … Iwebema shows good power taking on blockers and stuffing the run. He has the lower-body strength to anchor and split double teams, but needs to play with better consistency. On more than a few occasions, he will pull up and shut down when not involved in the action and is not known as one who will run long distances to make the play. He seems to lack a feel for the flow of the ball, almost looking surprised when he sees the action developing right under his nose. He does not respond well to hard coaching, so it will be interesting to see how he reacts when an NFL coach gets in his face the first time he decides to coast in training camp. What you see is what you are going to get out of him -- a few big plays here and there, but not enough to whet the appetite.

2005: Missed most of the Ball State game (9/03) with a concussion.

2006: Suffered triceps tendon damage and a broken right collarbone that forced him to sit out vs. Michigan (10/21), Northwestern (11/04), Wisconsin (11/11) and Minnesota (11/18).

2007: Missed most of the Illinois game with a right shoulder sprain (10/13) … Did not play vs. Michigan State 910/27) due to a concussion.

Campus: 4.87 in the 40-yard dash … 340-pound bench press … 490-pound squat … 371-pound power clean … 33 ¼-inch arm length … 9 ¼-inch hands … Right-handed … 22/28 Wonderlic score.

Combine: 5.0 in the 40-yard dash … Bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times.

Attended James Bowie (Arlington, Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Anthony Criss … Rated the 35th-best defensive end in the country by Rivals.com as a senior … First-team All-Conference and honorable mention All-State that year and a second team All-Conference pick as a junior … The team captain made 89 tackles and 15 sacks during his career … Posted 48 tackles, 10 sacks and 18 stops for loss as a senior, adding 30 tackles and four sacks as a junior … A three-year letter winner in football, he also lettered twice in track, performing in the discus.

Health and Sports Studies major … Son of Veronica and Ken Iwebema, Sr … Born 2/06/85 … Resides in Arlington, Texas.