Ben Kueter returning in 2026
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
I agree but the coaches had to encourage him to do this, right? Or maybe wrestling wasn't going his way?
Not going to lie.
A- I thought he was coming back this year.
B- I completely forgot about him.
A- I thought he was coming back this year.
B- I completely forgot about him.
Conditioning won’t be an issue and I doubt he forgot how to play football.
The only obstacle to playing time is better talent at his position (probably DL) …..which is a good problem for Iowa because he was a highly valued recruit.
Here is what a national recruiting analyst wrote about Kueter:
“Has a college ready body. Physical player who runs downhill to the ball with tenacity and runs through the target when he gets to the ball. Has some offense in his background as well as baseball, wrestling and distance medley relays in track, which shows his all around athleticism and conditioning. Sure tackler who wraps up stays square to the target. No verified speed but shows he can get to the ball and also run after the catch ability on offense speaks to his ability to run. Has a great athletic background as well as intangibles. Projects as a true MIKE or SAM. Very safe pick to be a productive college player based on high school production and success in various athletic arenas”
Put his hand on the ground and muck it up on the DL. He wont play LB
Can't fault the kid for leaving to compete at the highest level, but he won't touch the Duke Slater field as a starter or a major player imo. He has the size and athleticism to match Campbell. For those saying DL, who do you think he passes?
I agree with those saying DL. I don't see a path to the field in our scheme at LB. But, if he's 245 now, put on 20-25lbs and put his hand in the ground and send him after the QB on 3rd down packages.
He could be a stand up edge rusher and be very good. Much like they used Evans a few years ago.
For an out of the box thought - how about Tight End? Seems to have the perfect body type/size and athletic ability to make the transition.
Phil isn't likely to take some guy who hasn't played a down of college football and insert him anywhere. He has this exact situation with Iose today who came in as a star prospect at DE but hasn't played a down this year. It was similar with AJ and these 2 guys came in as ready made edge rushers. It could be years before this guy sees any real playing time at Iowa, if ever.
If anything, he can provide depth on the D-line. And a team can never have enough of that.
Iose has played in 3 games so far and had a tackle for loss on a 4th and 1 play against Minnesota.
I get what you're saying and I wasn't implying that Ben was just a plug and play guy from day 1. The discussion has centered around where on the D is his best spot if/when he comes back. My argument is that the MLB is too important in Iowa's scheme to have a guy who hasn't played ball for 2 years come in and have that be his position. I think he's way better suited to play DE.
This is bad news. Linebackers are a plenty. Good heavyweight wrestlers are not. I'm happy for him and glad he can chase his dreams. Personally sad, as I wanted him to be all in on wrestling.
I want this if it means defensive end. I still think that's his true calling.
Kueter was a world class wrestler I’m HS. Actually a world champion. He was good football player.
probably the lightest HWT in college. He looked very small against the HWTs he wrestled.
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.
100%. A lot of those heavyweights also graduated as well. No freshman was coming in touching Gable, Kirk, or Hendrickson. They were grown *** men.
Pretty damn good in football too. He was a finalist for the equivalent of the Butkus award in high school
Add in those three young LB from Iowa, and you have a really good start to a very good D
Mocco was a U17 world champion, he would be eligible for an Olympic redshirt too (as would Kueter). Of course he’d have to sit for two years, but it would probably be good for him to pack on some muscle and wrestle in tournaments unattached. Then there would be no overlap. No inside information, but I’m guessing this is the plan.
Last edited:
The heavyweight class was historically great last year, and Kueter did well getting to the podium. He is a top 5 guy in the field this year.
- 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.
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.