Iakopo Adjusts to Life at Louisville
August 23, 2016 | Football
Safety has been a key addition to the defense this fall
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -
It's not an easy transition for a 20-year-old college student to move from one coast to another, and for University of Louisville junior safety London Iakopo, his adjustment smacked him in the face as soon as he departed the airplane.
Landing in Louisville from his trip across the country to start summer conditioning and classes for head coach Bobby Petrino, Iakopo got a glimpse of what he would face during workouts and fall practice immediately.
"The humidity," Iakopo paused, "I'm used to 75-80, with the cool breeze in California. When I saw it was raining on the plane, I was expecting it to be cold, but when I stepped off the plane, I was sweating, and I didn't understand that at first.
"Especially with my asthma, it was kind of hard to get into it. I struggled early during lifting and conditioning, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it."
The first three weeks of fall camp have been sweltering, with temperatures regularly hitting over 90 degrees with high humidity, and on top of that, Petrino's practices are not for the faint at heart.
"It's definitely something to get adjusted to, but I feel like I've gotten used to it," Iakopo said after Tuesday's practice – the first after the conclusion of fall camp. "The weather was a challenge early at first, but I think I definitely got the hang of it."
Choosing Louisville for a kid from the West Coast is something of a head-scratcher, but for Iakopo, he looked forward to accepting a different type of challenge.
"Being from the West Coast and being a Polynesian kid, a lot of kids like to stay close to home, Iakopo said. "We are very family oriented and we like to be close to our family.
"Personally, coming out here and seeing the different environment, I wanted to be different. I wanted to give my family a name out here and just to explore different opportunities out here."
Iakopo, who has fought the weather and the adjustment to new teammates, has stepped right in and made a name for himself on a defense that has been one of the best in the nation over the last two seasons.
Playing a number of different positions since joining the Cardinals, Iakopo has heard the praise from his coaches, but he has only focused on improving as a player.
"I try not to pay attention to it too much," Iakopo said. "In the back of my head, I know that it's a good thing, but at the same time, I have to keep trying to prove myself that I belong out here and I can play with the type of talent that's out here."
Iakopo's versatility has made him an attractive candidate for playing time since transferring from Long Beach Community College. He recorded 58 tackles and two interceptions last season as a safety, but defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has moved him all over the defense this camp.
"Honestly, I'm suitable to whatever they want me to play," Iakopo said. "I can play up high … I can play in the box. It really depends on the personnel we are going up against and whatever the coaches want me at."
Known as a fierce hitter, Iakopo put a stamp on his reputation when he basically stated that he just wants to put his face mask into someone's chest.
"I just want to hit somebody," Iakopo said. "You know, wherever they want to put me at, I can do it.
"It's just football. It's a physical game and you have to play physical. I don't know about reputation, but I definitely do enjoy contact. I think the team knows that I need to show more and I think I will be able to show that next Thursday night."
He will get his first opportunity to see exactly how far he has come as a player in nine days as the Cardinals open the season on Sept. 1 at home against Charlotte.
