The recent trend in the NFL is for teams to have safeties capable of playing both the free- and strong-side positions. The Hawkeyes have groomed their players to be versatile, and Paschal has excelled in that role. Recruited as a free safety, he moved to the strong-side as a sophomore before shifting back during his junior year.

Being versatile is nothing new to Paschal, as he competed as a defensive back and quarterback during his playing days at Largo High School. He was named first-team all-conference, All-Sun Coast and all-county, adding team MVP honors as a senior.

That year, Paschal led the team to an 8-3 record and the district championship. He gained 959 rushing yards (7.2 avg.) with seven touchdowns, and completed 113 of 238 passes for 1,724 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He registered 61 tackles and eight interceptions on defense during his final season.

Paschal enrolled at Iowa in 2002, competing on the scout team as a free safety. He played in 13 games as a reserve at both safety positions in 2003, coming up with 12 tackles (six solos) and two pass deflections.

As a sophomore, Paschal moved into the starting lineup, appearing at strong safety in 10 contests and at free safety in two others. He posted 58 tackles (38 solos) with a stop for a loss, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He deflected six passes, intercepted two others and blocked a kick.

Paschal started 11 games at free safety in 2005, missing the Illinois game with shin splints after making an offseason recovery from a left knee torn anterior cruciate ligament. He earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention, collecting 62 tackles (38 solos) with a fumble recovery and six pass break-ups.

The league's coaches named Paschal second-team All-Big Ten in 2006, despite missing two games and seeing limited action in two others due to a hamstring pull. He went on to record 67 tackles (39 solos) with two stops for losses and a fumble recovery. He had one interception and four deflected passes.

In 47 games, Paschal started 33 contests. He made 199 tackles (121 solos) with four stops for losses of 11 yards. He caused one fumble and recovered four others. He blocked one kick, intercepted three passes and deflected 18 others.

Positives: Has broad shoulders, good chest thickness, well-developed arms, a tight waist and thick lower body frame … More of a downhill tackler who is best making plays in front of him, as he lacks range or recovery speed … Aggressive tackler with good size and soft hands for the interception … Plays with good hip snap needed to redirect and shows smoothness coming out of his backpedal … Combines good upper body strength with consistent wrap-up tackling technique, as he shows balance and good pad level to put his hat into a ball carrier's chest in attempts to drive the opponent back … Efficient tackling the runner's outside leg to impede forward progress … Better locating the ball in passing situations than vs. the run, showing good improvement in maintaining position in transition to mirror receivers working underneath … Closes on the ball with good urgency and shows good timing and leaping ability to compete for the ball at its high point … Will not hesitate to stick his head in the piles to make the tackle … Displays solid concentration skills, jumping aggressively when going up for the ball … Extends and secures the ball with ease on the interception … Plays off blocks well, showing good balance working in space, but needs to improve his angles closing on the ball … Shows good eyes reading the receiver's route progression and does a good job of keeping the action in front of him … With his low pad level, he is effective at squaring up and wrapping with authority.

Negatives: Lacks the quickness and range needed for deep coverage, as he lacks the recovery speed or second gear to make up ground when beaten … Shows inconsistencies taking the proper angles towards the ball and struggles to recover when he out-runs the play … More comfortable in the zone, showing limited range in man coverage, as he fails to open his hips and gets choppy in his backpedal, resulting in him taking false steps coming out of his breaks … Has good strength, but needs to hit with more authority (when he takes a side, ball carriers are quick to side-step) … Inefficient on the blitz, as he takes a wide loop around blockers in attempts to avoid, making him too late to get in on the play … Does not use his hands effectively in attempts to shed and will get washed out by the bigger blockers … Must show more aggressiveness in his play.

Compares To: Sean Considine, Philadelphia Eagles … Bob Sanders spoiled NFL teams when they came looking at other Hawkeyes safeties, and Paschal will never be confused for the Colts' hard-hitting dynamo … He is more like another former teammate, Considine, as he is really a decent reserve material with experience to play both safety spots, but his lack of range and blow-them-up tackling ability will make him have to fight for a roster spot.

2005: Missed spring drills while recovering from a left knee torn anterior cruciate ligament that he suffered after the 2004 season vs. Louisiana State in the Capital One Bowl … Did not play vs. Illinois (11/5) due to shim splints.

2006: Left the Ohio State game in the first half (9/30) and sat out the following week vs. Purdue with a hamstring pull.

Campus: 4.56 in the 40-yard dash … 342-pound bench press … 370-pound hang clean … 34½-inch vertical jump … 31-inch arm length … 9½-inch hands … Left-handed.

Combine: 4.74 in the 40-yard dash … 1.68 10-yard dash … 2.79 20-yard dash … 4.72 20-yard shuttle … 7.31 three-cone drill … 33-inch vertical jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 15 times.

Attended Largo (Fla.) High School, playing football for head coach Rick Rodriquez …

Competed as a defensive back and quarterback … Named first-team all-conference, All-Sun Coast and all-county, adding team MVP honors as a senior … That year, Paschal led the team to an 8-3 record and the district championship … Gained 959 rushing yards (7.2 avg.) with seven touchdowns, completed 113 of 238 passes for 1,724 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior … Registered 61 tackles and eight interceptions on defense during his final season.

Sports Studies major … Son of Anita and Anthony Paschal … Born Aug. 31, 1984 … Resides in Largo, Fla.