—AP Photo southeast valley graduate aaron graves looks on while Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz walks the sidelines during a Hawkeye game. As Graves’ career winds down, Ferentz talked to The Messenger about what he has meant to the program.

IOWA CITY — When Aaron Graves committed to Iowa, Kirk Ferentz knew he had a special player.

Graves announced his intentions as a freshman in high school and four years later is on the verge of his final game as a Hawkeye.

“Aaron has no flaws,” Ferentz said in an exclusive interview with The Messenger. “He is a tremendous person with high character. He comes from a great family.”

Usually a player has to adapt once they reach the college level after graduating as an 18 year old.

The adjustments from high school to Division I can be tough, especially on the defensive line.

“As impressive as he was coming in, he was unique and impressed me of how hard it is for a lineman to go through an adjustment period,” Ferentz said. “But he was mature and was able to step in right out of high school and handled it very well.”

Not only was Graves able to shine on the football field, he held a 4.0 GPA and already had a two-year degree from Iowa Central Community College.

“The transition to college football and academics is tough, but he did it and did it at a high level,” Ferentz said. “He came in with a lot of credits and is a tremendous person with the ability to work well with others.”

He has had an honored career for the Hawkeyes, accumulating 120 tackles in his career as well as being named to the AP All-Big Ten second team this season.

Ferentz believes Graves’ success is due to his ability to acclimate to his surroundings.

“He has a lot of attributes, but I think the biggest thing about him is he’s a good listener and tunes in,” Ferentz said. “If there is something that is new to learn, he has great listening skills and is able to grow and develop.”

Everyone that has been around Graves knows what drives him.

Faith.

Family.

Football.

And now he gets to add one more.

Fatherhood.

His love for the Lord and his family have helped develop him into a teammate that Ferentz says has driven him to success.

“His humbleness is unparalleled,” Ferentz said. “Football is a team sport and he is a great teammate and has understood that concept since he was in high school.”

Ferentz also admits the one thing that impressed him about Graves was when he decided to go out for the wrestling team at Southeast Valley.

“It impressed me and told me about his character when he went out for wrestling,” Ferentz said. “The ability and the willingness to step on the wrestling mat is incredible.

“The one thing I know for sure about Iowa is that it is a wrestling state. That took a lot of guts.”

With five children of his own, Ferentz knows how difficult time can be to manage football and family as well as having a child during the football season.

Graves and his wife Aubrey had their first son Grayson on Thanksgiving, the night before the Nebraska and Iowa game.

“First, it was a total surprise, because it was early and we were thinking it was going to be around the bowl game,” Ferentz said. “My wife (Mary) made the statement, “He’ll play out of his mind.”

Graves was a factor out of the gates. He made the first tackle and broke up a pass on the second play. He also had another tackle in the contest.

“Our fifth child Steve was the only one we had during the season,” Ferentz said. “In 1993 we were playing in New Orleans. The hospital was three miles from where I worked and Steven got a gameball when we were finished.

“What an exciting time for Aaron and Aubrey. The for Aaron to come back Friday and play after Grayson was born is unbelievable.”

Graves’ career with Iowa isn’t over as the Hawkeyes will play Vanderbilt in the Reliaquest Bowl on Dec. 31.

After that game Graves plans on playing at the next level and Ferentz believes it will happen.

“I certainly wouldn’t bet against him making an NFL roster,” Ferentz said. “He is so competitive and when he gets an opportunity he will definitely make the most of it.

“He will make a team and be a contributing member. I can’t predict the road ahead, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him have a long NFL career.”

Ferentz also talked about the fact of Graves and high school teammate Kyler Fisher, both playing pro football.

“It’s crazy that those two athletes came from such a small town,” Ferentz said. “Both are good stories. With Aaron’s stature and Kyler’s work ethic. I was talking to someone the other day and on Kyler’s pro day last March, he killed it. Then a buzz started and he adjusted and is playing well in Canada.

“Good players come from anywhere and everywhere.”