—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 given how hard it is for a lineman to go through (that typical) adjustment period,” Ferentz said. “But Aaron was mature and was able to step in right out of high school. He handled it very well.”

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

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

Graves has had an honored career both on and off the field for the Hawkeyes, accumulating 120 tackles while 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, Aaron 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.

Graves’ love for the Lord and his family have helped develop him into a teammate that Ferentz notes drives him to further success.

“His humbleness is unparalleled,” Ferentz said. “Football is a team sport, and he is a great teammate. He’s 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. Graves had already played basketball and graduated as a career 1,000-point scorer on the hardwood.

“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 (during the basketball season) was 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 while also getting married and having a child during the 2025 season.

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

“First, it was a total surprise, because (the baby came) 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 at Nebraska. 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 game ball when we were finished.

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

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

After that game, Graves plans on preparing for the next level. Ferentz believes it will happen.

“I certainly wouldn’t bet against him making an NFL roster,” Ferentz said. “Aaron is so competitive. When he gets an opportunity, he definitely makes 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 his Southeast Valley high school teammate, Kyler Fisher, may both be playing pro football.

“It’s crazy that those two athletes came from such a small town,” Ferentz said. “Both are terrific 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.”