had an initial conversation about that. From our chat, I got

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Iowa linebacker Josey Jewells pre-game routine includes a music playlist he dubbed Kinnick in honor of the Hawkeyes home stadium.Jewell lined the songs up so that oldies from bands like Boston and REO Speedwagon play first, helping him keep his burgeoning intensity in check. As the team bus gets closer to the stadium, Jewell pumps music from heavier bands into his ears, fueling a fury he eventually unleashes on opponents like few players in the country.When I get on a football field, I just kind of turn a switch, Jewell said.Having the foresight to plan details down to the song is just one of reasons why Jewell, affectionately nicknamed The Outlaw by fans, is the latest overlooked Iowa recruit to develop into a star. Jewell and his Big Ten-leading 105 tackles were rewarded Monday, when he was just one of five players nominated for the Butkus Award, given to the nations top linebacker.Jewell and the Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten) close out the regular season Friday against No. 17 Nebraska (9-2, 6-2).Oh man. I mean, If you could just see how he operates every single day. Ive never seen anything like it, defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson said. Its unbelievable ... he just does everything at a high level.But like Dallas Clark, Bob Sanders and current Green Bay Packers star Mike Daniels and many others before him, Jewell arrived in Iowa City as a project. It took prodding from assistant coach Reese Morgan -- who had an extensive background coaching in high school -- to convince coach Kirk Ferentz that Jewell was even worth a scholarship.I thought with Josey at least wed get a guy who was a winner. Everything he did, he won. Certainly a leader. Certainly a tough-minded guy, Ferentz said.Jewell arrived at Iowa as a 190-pound multi-sport athlete from Decorah, Iowa whose recruiting offers came mainly from local FCS schools. He redshirted in 2013, focusing on getting his body ready for the rigors of the Big Ten.Jewell spent most of his first year in Iowa under the tutelage of longtime Hawkeyes strength coach Chris Doyle.Hes a great motivator. He gets you going with everything. If youre not going hard enough on something, hell make sure youre going hard, Jewell said of Doyle.Jewell made such an impression that he cracked the starting lineup late in 2014. The first true sign that Jewell might be special came in an ugly bowl loss to Tennessee, when he made 14 tackles in a game the Hawkeyes knew was over before halftime.In addition to putting on over 40 pounds since high school, Jewell became dedicated to film study. The results truly began to show last season, when Jewell made a team-leading 126 tackles and was named second-team All-Big Ten.Im not the strongest, fastest or biggest guy out there, so I just try to take advantage of the small things, whether it be watching more film or giving more in practice. Anything possible advantage I can take, Jewell said.Jewells emotions can still get the best of him, as he got ejected for targeting in the season opener and nearly got tossed from another game. But Jewell has proven to be both an inspiration for an improved defense and the spark that raises the intensity level for Iowas entire team.Hes got great character. Hes someone that you want to lead your team. Hes going to show you the right way, said senior cornerback Desmond King.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25Los Angeles Lakers Store . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Cheap Lakers Jerseys .4 million title. Ryan Riess emerged with the title after a session in which he started behind, but used expert skill to gather the chips to his side amid the unpredictability of no-limit Texas Hold em. Riess put his final opponent Jay Farber all-in with an Ace-King. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/ . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Fake Lakers Jerseys . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Stitched Lakers Jerseys . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue.U.S. gymnastics superstar Simone Biles may have five Olympic medals swinging from her neck, but its her mother Nellie Biles, who feels like the ultimate champion.Simones road to Rio was such an amazing journey for our whole family. Im just so thankful, noted Mrs. Biles.You see, Simones accomplishments are rooted in her mothers ability to create a village (a tight-knit community of family and friends) that supports her daughter through ups, downs and everything in between. For instance, the extended Biles family does a weekly family dinner, attends church together -- and all flew out to Rio to see Simone shine at the Olympics.Nellie, who adopted 19-year-old Simone and her 17-year-old sister Adria when they were small children, along with her husband Ron (Simone and Adrias biological grandfather), wants her kids to know and understand they are unconditionally loved -- and thats part of the Biles magic. ??Last week, while Simone was on a media blitz, hitting The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Good Morning America, Mrs. Biles sat down with espnW from her hotel room in midtown Manhattan to discuss her commitment to family and how she keeps her daughter steady on the balance beam of life.espnW: At what point did you know you Simone was a gifted athlete? Biles: From the start she absolutely loved gymnastics. I always supported her, but I never thought much of it. It wasnt until 2012, when Simone won her first all-around [at the American Classic in Huntsville, Texas], that I really started to believe... wow, my daughter really gets this sport.The following year she was a senior in high school, and had turned 16 years old. So, a lot of things were evolving in her life. Simone started having problems with concentration and her focus was off, and as a result her performance was a bit rough at the Secret U.S. Classic. After that competition, we talked to a sports psychologist, which helped her regain focus.I believe her talking to those two therapists was really key.?She then went on to win the womens individual all-around at the [2013 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship in Antwerp, Belgium]. Once that happened, I knew we were headed to greater times. I always knew she could physically do it. She was capable, it was her mental status that needed to be aligned. And it all worked out.espnW: Your daughter Adria is a gymnast as well. How do you help create a sense of work/personal life balance for she and Simone?Biles: I think its important that we function as a family. Not only for my two girls, but for Simones brothers, too; because I have four children. The boys are grown and live on their own. But, they still come to the house and visit quite frequently.But, in particular Simone and Adria normally train all week except Sunday. So theres no real break. However, on Saturday, they start at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. Because thats an early end day, the girls often use that afternoon to get their nails or hair done.However, during the week, they are balancing school work and gymnastics, and that pretty much takes up their time. Then Sunday is family day, so we always go to church together. And I normally leave it up to the girls to decide what we are having for Sunday dinner, and they will argue about what they want, but they eventually come to some sort of consensus. The boys come over in the evening time, and we just enjoy each others company.espnW: What was your most memorable moment in Rio?Biles: There are a few for me. But, just celebrating all of Simones accomplishments was just so special. We didnt get a chance to see her that often, because Simone was in the Olympic village, and we were in a hotel. We brought a group of 17 family members and friends to Rio with us, just to support her. So having such a huge amount of support in general, was quite memorable.?Each time we came back from competition, wed all sit down and celebrate as a group. We wanted to recall and discuss what we had just witnessed, and it wwas just so special to share those moments with friends and family.dddddddddddd We all got together about six or seven times during the Olympics and it was simply amazing, after each competition, we all shared that experience together.Though, there was one particular moment that truly stuck out to me. It was when we first saw Simone, which was when the U.S. won gold in team competition, she along with the other gymnasts came around to our hotel. It was a big celebration for all of the athletes and families, and that was an amazing experience for us all.espnW: What goes through your mind when Simone is in competition?Biles: I am absolutely a basket case during competition. Whenever we go to the meets, my family knows not to talk to me. Im in my own space. I dont want any comments. I dont want anyone to say anything to me until its over. Now depending on how nervous I get, Ill squeeze my husbands hand or Adrias hand. I may look calm, but Im not! Im [a] total wreck until its over. I cannot eat or drink the entire day leading up to the competition.Im sure partnership proposals are flooding your inbox post-Olympics, why did you think the My Black is Beautiful and Tides Small but Powerful campaigns were a good fit for you and Simone?Biles: The Tide PODS concept alone. My daughter is small in stature, but shes incredibly powerful. The fact that they made that analogy between the PODS and Simone, was just so fitting. Also, Proctor & Gambles My Black is Beautiful campaign (which features P&G products that caters to an African-American female demographic) -- the goal of it is to promote women feeling comfortable in their own skin. The message is about black women empowering themselves, and embracing themselves both inside and out. And thats a very important platform for my daughter and me.espnW: You and your husband Ron opened World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas, where Simone trains. Do you think the gym was part of her ultimate success?Biles: So, after the worlds completion in 2013, Simones then trainer Aimee Boorman wanted to discuss finding a new gym. But, I didnt think that was a good idea. I didnt want my daughter bouncing from gym to gym. However, that made me think ... maybe, we should build our own gym, which we did in 2014. Simone started training there right away (it opened to the public in May 2016).Overall, building the gym was one of the best things Ive ever done. It gave her a comfortable place to train, and I would say for the last year, while training for the Olympics, it really helped. She was really grateful to have somewhere to train that was state of the art, with new equipment and she had everything she needed right there.Plus, its a great place for other gymnasts as well. So, its a service to the community. We also have practice space for things like Taekwondo or just tumbling. Theres some variety in that gym. We even have a classroom on site, so that the athletes can go to school while training.espnW: Speaking of Aimee Boorman, as of August 2016, she is no longer training your daughter. How is Simone dealing with the change?Biles: Aimee and I had an initial conversation about that. From our chat, I got the impression that she had other opportunities coming her way, and thats wonderful for her. Its great that she took advantage. Simply because theres no more Simone in that gym. Simone is off doing her own thing, so its good that Aimee decided to pursue her dreams as well.Initially, Simone had a little difficulty with it, but she understands and embraces the idea. I do not know what [Simone] is going to do in respect to training going forward and she doesnt either. But, shell figure it out when she gets back to Texas. Well cross that bridge when shes back home.?Ericka N. Goodman-Hughey is a senior editor at espnW. Follow her on Twitter @ericka_editor ' ' '