Iowa sophomore running back Mark Weisman is not flying “under the radar” this preseason. A year ago at this time Weisman was an unknown back up fullback but he was one of the bright spots in an otherwise dismal 2012 season.
The former walk-on stepped in to an injury plagued running back spot and led the team with 815 yards of rushing and eight touchdowns. He was highly sought after at Iowa’s media day last week.
“It’s always fun, no one talked to me last year, no one knew who I was,” Weisman say. “You’ve just got to have that same mentality, let other people know you whether they know you or not and have that same mentality of working hard.”
Weisman feels he will be even better with a year of experienced and says a healthy stable of running backs should help the offense be more productive. He says it’s a big, tough, physical league and you need as many people at each position as you can get so you are ready for the “next man in” if someone gets hurt.
A healthy Damon Bullock should also help Iowa’s rushing attack. He finished with 513 yards in 2012. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says he doesn’t think anyone worked harder than Bullock and Weisman in the spring. He says they are two different backs and it has been fun to watch them work and develop.