Ben Kueter returning in 2026

[Hawkapottomos Rex]

The kid went 9-5 in dual meets last year. That's solid for most programs but not really at Iowa. Maybe he thought he would dominate the wrestling world, received a wake up call, and now things football is where the money is at?

Stuck wrestling COVID seniors who typically would've been graduated. Still was an all American as a freshman, so top 8 in the country. This was as bad as your la porta take, moron.

 

[squeezebox_1]

He could pass everybody or he could pass nobody. If he adds some weight and works his a** off, he has the ability to be a top DE. We have no likely !st team All-American DEs on the roster right now. That opportunity is wide open.

Whoa this is quite the take. Kirk has already spoken highly about Joseph Anderson, there is a 5* true freshman on the roster, Merriweather will be a JR next year and will be the incumbent. He isn't beating Brian Allen next year either. He isn't going to put on 30 pounds of muscle to play DT next year, and Hawthorne will be an incumbent for the next few years. IMO he would be better picking up speed, staying the same size and becoming the WLB. He certainly won't take Buffington's spot.

Honestly, he is a black horse this year for a natty in wrestling, I hope he can pull it out, and decides to stick with wrestling.

 

[Jonesy5960]

Do you even watch the games?

Yes. I missed Iose being in there on that one tackle that he made this year. My bad.

 

[PinkShizzle]

- No chance he passes Brian Allen next year.

- I'd assume Epenesa will not be one of them.

- Kenneth Merrieweather? He's been getting playing time.

- Redshirt freshman Joseph Anderson has been in at the end of games with Iose. Currently 6'6 241 and was a track athlete. Hawkeyesports says he was a "four-time all-state jumper." (For those that like athletic DEs).

- Chima Chineke?

- Drew Campbell?

I'm probably missing some guys.

Well, I also don't know WTF I'm talking about half the time soooo in that case he may turn out to be a stud DE

 

[Franisdaman]

The kid went 9-5 in dual meets last year. That's solid for most programs but not really at Iowa. Maybe he thought he would dominate the wrestling world, received a wake up call, and now things football is where the money is at?

HWT was a stacked weight class last year, and prob the toughest weight for a freshman to excel. I expect good things on the mat from him this season.

he's a very undersized heavyweight and is preseason #5 in the country at that weight class.

hopefully he makes AT LEAST the semi-finals at the National Championships. We'll see.

 

[SB_SB]

Whoa this is quite the take. Kirk has already spoken highly about Joseph Anderson, there is a 5* true freshman on the roster, Merriweather will be a JR next year and will be the incumbent. He isn't beating Brian Allen next year either. He isn't going to put on 30 pounds of muscle to play DT next year, and Hawthorne will be an incumbent for the next few years. IMO he would be better picking up speed, staying the same size and becoming the WLB. He certainly won't take Buffington's spot.

Honestly, he is a black horse this year for a natty in wrestling, I hope he can pull it out, and decides to stick with wrestling.

The think what o_romanhawk meant was, why worry about playing time at this point. Every player coming in is in the same situation, they may or may not ever see the field. Sometimes there's injuries that force people to play who ordinarily wouldn't play. I would never discourage him from coming back, if he's good enough, he'll play. If he's not, then he'll help in other ways. He's 6'3" and moves well and if he adds more weight then he has the potential to be a contributor. To me, there's only an upside to him coming back to football.

 

[RomanHawk]

Whoa this is quite the take. Kirk has already spoken highly about Joseph Anderson, there is a 5* true freshman on the roster, Merriweather will be a JR next year and will be the incumbent. He isn't beating Brian Allen next year either. He isn't going to put on 30 pounds of muscle to play DT next year, and Hawthorne will be an incumbent for the next few years. IMO he would be better picking up speed, staying the same size and becoming the WLB. He certainly won't take Buffington's spot.

Honestly, he is a black horse this year for a natty in wrestling, I hope he can pull it out, and decides to stick with wrestling.

The guys you mention will probably become good players. Does that mean nobody else could be better?

Since you've watched him wrestle, you should realize he doesn't have the agility for WLB. Add to that the lost learning time that's so important in that position, there is no chance for WLB. DE it will be.

 

[TrojanHawkeye]

Not going to lie.
A- I thought he was coming back this year.
B- I completely forgot about him.

 

[Hawkfan_08*]

I'm saying I thought he took last year of for wrestling only and since he's been out so long I forgot he was on the team.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Whoa this is quite the take. Kirk has already spoken highly about Joseph Anderson, there is a 5* true freshman on the roster, Merriweather will be a JR next year and will be the incumbent. He isn't beating Brian Allen next year either. He isn't going to put on 30 pounds of muscle to play DT next year, and Hawthorne will be an incumbent for the next few years. IMO he would be better picking up speed, staying the same size and becoming the WLB. He certainly won't take Buffington's spot.

Honestly, he is a black horse this year for a natty in wrestling, I hope he can pull it out, and decides to stick with wrestling.

I don't see him ever making a solid contribution in football. Its not a "part time sport" in D1. That and were deep at DE and have 5 very good looking freshman and red shirt freshman LB's. I was high on him when he committed, but I don't see him ever playing much in Kinnick.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

I'm saying I thought he took last year of for wrestling only and since he's been out so long I forgot he was on the team.

And then he was injured. He's WAY, WAY behind the curve of ever playing D1 football......

 

[squeezebox_1]

The think what o_romanhawk meant was, why worry about playing time at this point. Every player coming in is in the same situation, they may or may not ever see the field. Sometimes there's injuries that force people to play who ordinarily wouldn't play. I would never discourage him from coming back, if he's good enough, he'll play. If he's not, then he'll help in other ways. He's 6'3" and moves well and if he adds more weight then he has the potential to be a contributor. To me, there's only an upside to him coming back to football.

Na, it’s a roster spot and the recruiting is picking up, this is why I would much prefer he stick to wrestling

 

[MFinn]

Forgive me for not getting excited about a guy who hasn’t played a down of football in two years.
I hope I’m wrong. I hope he comes in and plays like a veteran, but Phil’s defense isn’t so good because it’s easy to learn.

 

[rchawk]

Na, it’s a roster spot and the recruiting is picking up, this is why I would much prefer he stick to wrestling

Valid point.