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IOWA CITY, Iowa – Amari Spievey has always had the physical talent to be a difference-maker on the football field.

It’s off the field that the University of Iowa cornerback had some growing up to do.

After Spievey redshirted in 2006, Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz dismissed him from the squad for academic reasons.

“He was basically lost in every way,” Ferentz said Friday during the team’s media day. “It was a tough adjustment for him on every front. He let his school work go a little bit.”

Just like that, his dream was dashed. The Middletown, Conn., native was out of school and had no place to turn.

“Mentally, I wasn’t happy,” Spievey said. “I felt alone. I didn’t know anybody and nobody knew me. I came from a small town and small state. I wasn’t used to being out here by myself. I don’t think I was mature enough to handle it.”

When Spievey heard the words “you’re dismissed,” it opened his eyes that he needed to change.

Helped by graduate assistant coach Dan Clark, who used to coach at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Spievey was recommended to head coach Kevin Twait.

Spievey enrolled at Iowa Central, in hopes of getting his life together and eventually returning to Iowa City.

At Iowa Central, Spievey intercepted seven passes, scored two touchdowns on kickoff returns and blocked four punts. He was an all-American on the field, but more importantly he picked up the pieces in the classroom.

“It took a lot of patience,” Spievey said. “There wasn’t a day when I didn’t think about wanting to be back here in Iowa City. It felt like I got sent to jail for a while.

“It definitely humbled me. It taught me how to be disciplined and determined not to give up. I had to get better in every facet of my life. I did that at Iowa Central.”

Spievey returned to the Iowa football program a year ago. Teammates noticed a significant difference in his demeanor.

“He had a different aura to himself, in terms of how he carried himself,” linebacker A.J. Edds said. “Being around him as a freshman in the dorm and then now, he’s more focused and more keyed-in to what he needed to do on and off the field.

“He’s got a quiet strength about him. He doesn’t say a whole lot, but he’s going to show up every day and make plays for us.”

Since he’s returned, Spievey has created turmoil for opposing offenses. The 6-foot junior was a second-team all-Big Ten pick by league coaches last year after intercepting four passes and compiling 68 tackles.

Because of that, there isn’t a day that passes Spievey isn’t grateful for the second chance Ferentz and the Hawkeyes gave him.

“It motivates me a lot,” Spievey said. “I just don’t want to disappoint them. I don’t want them to regret their decision from taking me back.”

Spievey is now considered by some the best corner in the Big Ten. He was one of 31 defensive backs across the country named to the Jim Thorpe Award’s preseason “watch list.”

Defensive coordinator Norm Parker believes Spievey could be the best corner Iowa’s had in Parker’s 11 years.

“He’s a freak,” Iowa linebacker and Bettendorf alum Pat Angerer said. “He’s one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen.

“Even when he was here the first time, he was one of the best players on our team. It’s just great he got it together and got his priorities straight. It’s great to watch.”

In fact, Spievey hasn’t even begun to reach his potential.

“There’s no way I’ve reached my ceiling yet,” he said. “I’m still working on my fundamentals. I’m kind of a perfectionist.

“I just want to be the best corner I can be, and hopefully by the time I leave here, I’ll be a pretty good corner.”

He’s also on track to having a degree, too.