Former Regina star Jake Brinkman eager to play at Kinnick
By Ryan Murken
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Like many kids from Iowa, Jake Brinkman grew up dreaming about playing at Kinnick Stadium.
When Brinkman finally gets his opportunity to step between the white lines at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, it will be slightly different than he imagined as a kid, but the only way the Regina graduate would have it now.
A freshman linebacker at North Dakota State (2-0), Brinkman will make his Kinnick Stadium debut on Saturday when the FCS top-ranked Bison travel to Iowa (2-0) for an 11 a.m. kickoff.
“Growing up it’s always been a dream to play at Kinnick and ever since I committed in July of 2014 I’ve been kind of thinking about this game and I can’t believe it’s already here,” Brinkman said Tuesday in a telephone interview. “I know the guys are excited and we can’t wait for Saturday at 11 o’clock.”
Brinkman built a sterling resume as a prep at Regina.
A two-time all-state pick, he helped the Regals to a 55-1 record and four state titles during his high school career.
Before his senior season Brinkman committed to a North Dakota State, lured north by a program that was coming off a third consecutive FCS national title.
“Growing up I think every kid wants to play for Iowa and that was kind of a dream,” Brinkman said. “When I committed to NDSU and Iowa gave me little cold shoulder and said I wasn’t big enough I just wanted to be a Bison.”
North Dakota State has added a pair of additional title since Brinkman committed two years ago.
Brinkman was a redshirt on last year’s squad finished 13-2 and won a fifth consecutive national title defeating Jacksonville State 37-10 in the FCS title game.
“Being part of the run at Regina was incredible but doing it at a collegiate level and doing it with some of the best players in the country it’s kind of indescribable,” Brinkman said. “Back in January when we were in Friscoe (Texas) it was just an amazing experience and whenever you are lifting or running that is the kind of stuff that you have in the back of your head that gets you through a workout.”
Brinkman returns to Iowa City a reserve linebacker in his first season after redshirting.
The 6-foot, 220-pound Brinkman sees similarities between the No. 11 Hawkeyes and his own squad.
“They are a very similar team to us,” Brinkman said. “They are a power team, they want to run. Watching their line play they are very physical like we are, they do a lot of similar things. They have the same motto as we do, play hard, play fast play physical. It should be a great game.”
Brinkman plans to have plenty of supporters in the stands on Saturday.
That list will include Regina head coach Marv Cook.
“Whatever level it is fun to continue to watch kids play the game they love and obviously North Dakota State has a great program so I’m excited for Jake,” Cook said. “He’s still young and has a chance to be a great player for them.”
Brinkman will be opposite a pair of former Regina teammates on Saturday in Drew Cook and Daniel Gaffey.
Even though many of his hometown friends and family are Iowa fans Brinkman expects to see plenty of green and gold in the stands on Saturday.
“I have some friends and family that I know will be wearing green and black and gold,” Brinkman said. “I know a lot of friends have said we will be cheering for you but we want the Hawkeyes to win so it’s been a little bit of everything.”