Niemann recaps official visit
Iowa commit Ben Niemann had a chance learn even more about the Hawkeye football program on his official visit this weekend, including his future position of outside linebacker. We caught up with the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Niemann to talk about the trip, his plans for signing day next week, plus a whole lot more.
Q: First, can you just talk about the official visit at Iowa this weekend and what the whole experience was like for you?
NIEMANN: Sure. We actually came in on Friday night. I was supposed to have a basketball game, but that got cancelled so we came in a little bit earlier. I just kind of went to the hotel and relaxed though because it was late when I got in. On Saturday morning, we went out for breakfast and went over and toured the facilities and they had a player panel for us. Then we ate lunch with academic people and talked about potential majors and all of that stuff. After that, we had some downtime back at the hotel. Then I met with Coach Woods about my position and all of that stuff. Then we went out to eat and I got to spend some time with my player host. This morning, we went to Coach Ferentz's house and I met with him and I met with Coach Doyle before we left on our way back home now.
Q: Who was your host?
NIEMANN: Josey Jewell.
Q: Sitting down with the coaches, what did they kind of go over for your role coming in next year?
NIEMANN: They just talked, when I met with Coach Woods, about playing a new position, so we went over some of the linebacker stuff. Then I met with Coach Doyle about gaining weight and all of that. Everything was really positive though. It was good.
Q: Is that still at the outside linebacker LEO position?
NIEMANN: Yeah.
Q: What do they like about you there that makes it a good fit?
NIEMANN: They said they've just gotten kids there that are long and athletic and put weight on their frames. That's what they did with Christian Kirksey. He came in at 190 or 195 they said, so that's kind of how they see me. They just want a long, athletic kid that they can put weight on.
Q: What is your height and weight right now?
NIEMANN: I'm 6-3, 205.
Q: With Keegan Render also visiting this weekend, did you two get a chance to reflect some more on being teammates again after playing on some of the same teams when you were little kids?
NIEMANN: Yeah, it was good to see him. It's honestly pretty crazy to think about. I never really pictured that happening, but I'm really happy that it's worked out this way. We've talked about possibly rooming together too, so that would be fun if we can work that out. He's a good teammate to have, so I'm just happy I get to play with him.
Q: Once you made the switch to Iowa in the summer, was there ever any looking back?
NIEMANN: No, it was final. Once I made my decision, I knew that I was going to be going to Iowa and I'm really happy with that. I'm looking forward to signing and looking forward to getting there this summer.
Q: What do you have planned for signing day?
NIEMANN: There are a couple other kids at my school signing too. We have a kid that is going to a DIAA and two going to NAIA schools, so they are going to have a little thing setup for us. That will be kind of fun, just to get some pictures taken and all of that.
Q: What do you think that day will mean to you?
NIEMANN: I mean ever since I started playing football in youth league, it's something that I've always wanted to do, so it's a dream come true. It's going to be a really special moment for me, but I also have a lot of work ahead of me.