Klemp discusses his decision
The recruiting process may have taken a long time, but in the end it worked out exactly the way Logan Klemp wanted. Today, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound linebacker picked up a scholarship offer from Iowa, his dream school, and quickly accepted, giving his verbal commitment to the Hawkeyes. Afterwards, we caught up with Klemp to discuss his decision, his future at Iowa, and much more.
Q: This last week has been kind of a whirlwind for you. What is the feeling like tonight after wrapping it all up and accepting the scholarship offer from Iowa?
KLEMP: Yeah, it's been a crazy week, that's for sure, but with everything coming through with the offer, it's been an amazing day. I was just so glad that it all worked out like it did. It's always kind of been my dream to be part of the Iowa culture and play there. I'm just excited to get into the program and start working.
Q: They had basically asked you to stay patient with them and they would get back to you before signing day right?
KLEMP: Yeah. It was a really tough process and a really long process, but everything worked out great. Iowa is exactly the place that I wanted to be. The culture there is one of a kind and then with the facilities and coaches, it's an amazing place with amazing people and it's exactly where I want to be.
Q: Can you take me through the last two days? Kirk Ferentz and Reese Morgan come in yesterday and tell you they will let you know by Friday?
KLEMP: Yeah, they came to my school and talked to me and said they would know more by Friday. Then Friday came and I talked to Coach Wallace on the phone and they offered, so I was really excited with the way it worked out.
Q: In that conversation, did you just tell them right away you would accept the offer?
KLEMP: Yeah. It's just such a great opportunity that I've been looking forward to for so long and one that I want to make sure I take advantage of.
Q: Prior to that, you had given a verbal to South Dakota before?
KLEMP: Yeah. That's a great program over there with great coaches, but being an Iowa kid I've always been an Iowa fan growing up, so this was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up.
Q: With the fit at Iowa, what linebacker position do they see you coming in at?
KLEMP: They said it would be more the inside positions. I'm really looking forward to working with Coach Wallace. He's a great coach and I'm sure we'll work well together.
Q: When you look back at it, what made you so comfortable with Iowa to wait it out and not sign in December like a lot of kids did?
KLEMP: I've always been an Iowa fan, so I just always kind of had that hope that Iowa would offer and that's always been my goal is to play there. I feel like I have a special connection to Iowa and have always looked at that as my goal as I'm going through workouts and things like that. I just stayed in close contact with them and it worked out in the end.
Q: Now you have signing day just around the corner. What is the feeling like tonight getting that decision out there and the weight off your shoulders?
KLEMP: Yeah, exactly like you said, it's definitely a weight off my shoulders. The process has been long and drawn out, so it feels amazing just to know where I'm going. I'm looking forward to celebrating with my family and friends and then we'll move forward and start working towards the next goal.
In addition to Iowa, Klemp considered scholarship offers from South Dakota, South Dakota State, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Minnesota State, North Dakota, and Cornell.
A versatile, do-it-all type of player that rarely left the field at South Hamilton High School, Klemp finished his senior season with 112 tackles, 12 TFL, 6 sacks, and 2 interceptions on defense to go along with 1,260 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns on offense, which earned him player of the year honors in Class 1A.