Drake star Nathan Clayberg closes out illustrious career against Iowa State

Drake football coach Rick Fox knew he had something special in Nathan Clayberg back in 2014. That's when Clayberg, who was still a senior in high school, sat with his mom in Fox's office back and started talking about his future as football player and student at Drake.

Fox knew that Clayberg was going to be coming back to campus in a few weeks to interview for the National Alumni Scholarship, a prestigious scholarship given out to outstanding students at Drake. So Fox, knowing the question would come up in the interview, asked Clayberg why he thought he should get the scholarship.

“He looked me square in the eye and he said, ‘I’ll tell you why, Coach — because Drake University isn’t going to be the same when I leave here,’” Fox recalled.

The football team certainly hasn’t. Clayberg is the reason why the Drake defense has been so dominant this season. It’ll be put to the test Saturday when Iowa State hosts the Bulldogs at Jack Trice Stadium at 11 a.m. The game will also mark the end of the career for Clayberg, one of the biggest stars on the team.

“Nathan is like the poster child of what we’re talking about in a Drake football player,” Fox said.

More: Drake gearing up for big game against Iowa State

It’s easy to see why. Clayberg, a native of Pella, generated interest from some Division I schools and even spoke with now former Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads about possibly walking on with the Cyclones. But after a visit to one of Iowa State’s camps, Clayberg decided to go a different route, looking for a smaller school where he could be involved in more activities. Drake was the perfect fit. Or so it seemed.

Clayberg wanted to come to Drake, but at first, Fox wasn’t sure if he was the right fit for the football program. Fox thought that Clayberg, a star in high school, might be a little too slow for linebacker and a little too light to play defensive line. Fox, who was gearing up for his first season, went back and forth on whether or not to open a roster spot for Clayberg. Do so turned out to be a great decision.

On the football field, he became a dominating force for the Bulldogs. He’s been a four-year starter, two-time captain and was recently named the Pioneer Football League’s Defensive Player of the Year. Off the field, he’s had just as much of an impact. Clayberg was named a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy Award, which recognizes the top scholar-athletes across college football. He was also named to the Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team.

Clayberg founded Unite, a group that focuses on raising up and empowering young leaders. He also started Next Step Moving Co., a for-profit company provides money to nonprofit organizations. He even sang the national anthem before one of Drake’s home games earlier this season.

“He’s impacted our football team, he’s impacted our athletic program and he’s impacted our campus in so many ways,” Fox said.

Even though he originally had his doubt about Clayberg, Fox still made sure the Bulldogs' had a roster spot the Iowan. That conversation with Clayberg and his mom back in 2014 confirmed to Fox that he had indeed made the right decision bringing him on board. 

“I could tell by the way he answered that he was going to do what he said,” Fox said.

He’s accomplished that, especially this season. Clayberg has helped captain one of the nation’s top defense as the Bulldogs’ rank eighth nationally in FCS play in scoring defense (18.3 points per game) and 13th in total defense (198.3 yards per game). Along the way, Clayberg has tallied 30 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He’s also tallied six pass breakups earning the league’s top defensive player of the year honors.

Clayberg is also one of the reasons why Saturday's game is even being played. When Iowa State first reached out to Drake, Fox met with his captains to see if they'd want to add another game to their schedule, even after the season had wrapped up. When Clayberg and the other captains told Fox they were on board, they pitched it to the rest of the team before putting it to a vote. 

"I actually spoke to the team at the very beginning of the year ... and I challenged them," Clayberg said. "I was like, 'If we can go out and play for a ring, that would be cool if we won. But all I really care about is playing for as much time with you guys as I possibly can. Every second, I want it all. So to have another week tacked on to the season, that's just so, so special, I think."

Looking back on it all, Clayberg didn't get the attention he likely would have had he gone to another or bigger school. But he has no regrets. He was still able to have the impact he told Fox he would. 

"It certainly doesn't carry maybe the glamour that football would have at some other schools, but it's been the best decision of my life," Clayberg said of coming to Drake. "It changed my life. It added so much joy and experience to my life. I would do it again in a heartbeat."