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His NFL dreams fell apart. So former Iowa star Drew Ott is building a new life on the farm

Drew Ott was a star defensive end with an NFL career in front of him. All that changed when a string of injuries forced him out of the game he loves. Brian Powers, bpowers@dmreg.com

TRUMBULL, Neb. — The late-morning sun is shining in the farm fields of south-central Nebraska, a welcomed change this rain-soaked spring.

It’s planting season, and the most famous resident of Trumbull (population 197) is behind the wheel of the red tractor churning slowly alongside Gunbarrel Road.

Life moves about 4 mph these days for 25-year-old Drew Ott.

“It’s pretty tough driving,” he says sarcastically, pointing to the electronic GPS system his family purchased years ago when corn was $7 a bushel — about double what it is today.