Kramme walking on at Iowa

With an offer on the table from UNI, Ankeny Centennial athlete Isaiah Kramme had a difficult choice to make, but decided that a chance to play for the Hawkeyes was too good to pass up. On Monday, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Kramme let the Iowa coaching staff know that he is going to accept their preferred walk-on offer and join the team this year. We caught up with Kramme to talk about his decision, his future with the Hawkeyes, and much more.

Q: Why did you end up choosing Iowa?

KRAMME: I discussed it with my family and it was just the right place for me. We knew on my visit that it was the right place. When I went t Iowa State, I didn't have that feeling. My family said that they had the same feeling as I did. It was hard to come to a decision but I am glad I did.

Q: Was it difficult turning down scholarship money at Northern Iowa?

KRAMME: It was really hard. When I went to UNI, I had a totally different feeling. I felt more at home getting to know the guys at Iowa. I felt wanted. I understood why they weren't giving me a scholarship but I feel like I can earn it. It would be better in the long run at Iowa.

Q: How important were the Iowa coaches in your decision?

KRAMME: It was a big factor. Coach Morgan is a great guy. I feel like I can trust him and what he says. It has been great being recruited by him and that was a big factor in my decision. All of the other coaches really communicated with me and it didn't matter if it was the offensive line coach or the special teams coach. They all talked to me and made me feel like I was one of the recruits there. That was with most of the recruits having already committed or having an offer. I was the only walk-on guy and they made me feel like I was one of them too.

Q: Did the bonding with the other recruits over the weekend help with your decision?

KRAMME: It was really good. They were really good making me feel like I was one of them. It didn't change because I was a walk-on. They didn't act any different and they welcomed me. They knew I was committed to UNI and they didn't treat me any different than the other guys.

Q: What have they said about your role on the team?

KRAMME: They want me to keep playing safety but I could try out wide receiver if I wanted to. For me, it is wherever I can help the team and have a best chance to earn a scholarship is where I'll play.

Q: How do you feel about potentially playing wide receiver?

KRAMME: Playing wide receiver would be totally different for me. I have never had to catch passes at wide receiver. I feel like I understand it from what they are looking for and what they have to do. With my height, size, and athleticism, I think it would help me do good. It would be a lot of hard work but if that doesn't work I know I can play defense. Coach Parker will help make me one of the Iowa safeties we all know about.

Q: What was the reaction from UNI when you decommitted?

KRAMME: They were pretty upset. I understand because I had been committed to them for two weeks bow. They were really excited about me going there. When I first committed, they wanted me to commit right away. I wanted to wait because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do but I didn't want to lose my spot. Honestly, that was the hardest part of all of this. I didn't know what I'd feel at Iowa and Iowa State. I had to make an early decision or I'd love the opportunity. It was hard to tell them.

Q: What are your plans to get yourself ready for college?

KRAMME: I am training four days a work and doing running. Once it gets nice out, I'll try to work out catching the ball and do some more drills. When summer comes around, that is when I'll go there and start working out with the team. I want to get prepared and understand what I need to do in fall camp.

Iowa's 2015 walk-on class now includes:

Blake Simons - 6-foot-6, 220-pound TE from Hartley, IA (Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn)

Brady Ross - 6-foot-1, 210-pound LB from Humboldt, IA (Humboldt)

Jacob Giese - 6-foot-3, 250-pound DT from West Branch, IA (West Branch)

Jackson Subbert - 6-foot-3, 205-pound LS from Williamsburg, IA (Williamsburg)

Lane Akre - 6-foot-0, 200-pound FB from Geneseo, IL (Geneseo)

Colten Rastetter - 6-foot-2, 205-pound P from Guttenberg, IA (Clayton Ridge)

Isaiah Kramme - 6-foot-3, 205-pound DB from Ankeny, IA (Centennial)