New Story **In-state LB Logan Klemp commits to the Hawkeyes**

[jdv77]

USD football fans upset that we lost him to Iowa. Not mad, just disappointed. There is something alarming about this though for Iowa fans, look at this recruits other offers, USD, SDSU, NDSU, UND, Minn State-Mankato. For years everybody here ripped on KF for recruiting MAC level talent, now Iowa is raiding the MVFC??? Seriously, there is no reason at all why Iowa should be shopping in the same grocery store as the MVFC FCS schools and a D2 school like Minnesota State. No reason at all. A PWO offer I can understand, but this is a scholarship offer and Iowa is not competing with other BIG schools or even MAC schools on this one.

I understand that point, and the counter-point. Iowa (Reese Morgan?) is perhaps uniquely stubborn about its evaluation of players, and will offer regardless of how the recruit is ranked by other services. With Klemp (and Benson), Iowa offered players who appeared to be bound for the MVFC. Judging by the next best offers, those players are reaches.

The counter-point is Josey Jewell, who had his MVFC offer pulled by UNI and was headed to Luther.

My personal view is that there is always a reason when players get offered late. With Klemp, he is 210 lbs and played at a 1A school. You have to project how he will perform when he isn't the best athlete on the field. You have to project how he will run with an additional 20-30 lbs on his frame.

When you try to differentiate why Klemp got the offer over other LBs who accepted walk-on offers, or other players who are more highly rated by Rivals, I think that you have to look at what Iowa seems to value when it is perhaps reaching or gambling on the last members of the class. Klemp checks a number of the boxes. He is a multi-sport athlete (basketball and track & field). In track, Klemp throws shot and discuss, so he has some of the explosiveness and footwork that Iowa seems to value. Those tend to be factors valued by Iowa, in addition to productivity on the football field, when Iowa projects whether a player's skill set will translate to the Big Ten.

As a side note, I see some of the same factors with Kaevon Meriwether. Meriwether is also a track and basketball player. Iowa tends to view those players as better gambles, and accepts the multi-sport athlete as an explanation for potential lack of exposure through the summer camp/combine process.

The other aspect of the late offer, as was already alluded to, is potentially missing on players that Iowa had offered and considered first. It seems plausible that Klemp got the offer when the staff concluded that Miller was not coming. It could be that Iowa knew they could get Klemp when flipping a MAC recruit was less certain.

I think Klemp is a good gamble, despite the fact that his other offers were MVFC offers. But I understand the concern.

 

[IACentralHawk73]

I had the opportunity to play against Klemp and I was always impressed with his instincts on defenses. He wasn't the best linebacker I've ever seen at the 1A level, but he has the raw potential to be a solid linebacker. I like what the coaching staff could do with him.

 

[SoDakHawk]

Some of you get it.

First, he had verballed to USD.

Second, I am an Iowa fan too.

Third, Kirk gets crushed on this board after losing to jNW, Purdue, directional Michigan schools, and NDSU. Crushed for bringing in MAC level recruits and expecting to win in the Big Ten. I am simply pointing out that now Iowa is dipping even lower, now Iowa is signing MVFC level recruits. This one isn't the only one, there's also the kid from Sioux Falls that Iowa lifted off of SDSU.

Seriously, Iowa is not going to compete for Big Ten Championships by stocking the cupboards with MVFC level recruits. Nothing against the kids, great kids, good players. I go to every USD game and see the level of play in that conference, it's good, and there are guys who go pro from there. I am simply saying that for a school like Iowa to make a habit of pulling MVFC level recruits and signing multiple multiple players from there, well, it's not a good recipe for success when you are competing against OSU and PSU.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Some of you get it.

First, he had verballed to USD.

Second, I am an Iowa fan too.

Third, Kirk gets crushed on this board after losing to jNW, Purdue, directional Michigan schools, and NDSU. Crushed for bringing in MAC level recruits and expecting to win in the Big Ten. I am simply pointing out that now Iowa is dipping even lower, now Iowa is signing MVFC level recruits. This one isn't the only one, there's also the kid from Sioux Falls that Iowa lifted off of SDSU.

Seriously, Iowa is not going to compete for Big Ten Championships by stocking the cupboards with MVFC level recruits. Nothing against the kids, great kids, good players. I go to every USD game and see the level of play in that conference, it's good, and there are guys who go pro from there. I am simply saying that for a school like Iowa to make a habit of pulling MVFC level recruits and signing multiple multiple players from there, well, it's not a good recipe for success when you are competing against OSU and PSU.

You make it sounds like KF can't field a team capable of beating PU NDSU etc.
The thing that upsets me(and I assume others) the most is watching us lose to PU and NDSU the past two years and then those same two years knock off OSU/MI and crush their cfp hopes. Not to mention stomping NE both those years. Every year he seems to lose a game that should NOT be a loss.
Yes, PU had a good year and braska a crap year.....but they still managed to beat PU!
Do you really think we are going to challenge OSU/PSU each and every year?
We currently have 9 players on this class that are 4* or borderline 4* per rivals. Somehow, Army AA, Linderbaum is not included in those 9 nor multiple other players with others from decent/good programs....you call this "stocking the cupboard with MVFC talent".

Get a clue dude.....

 

[ichawk24]

USD football fans upset that we lost him to Iowa. Not mad, just disappointed. There is something alarming about this though for Iowa fans, look at this recruits other offers, USD, SDSU, NDSU, UND, Minn State-Mankato. For years everybody here ripped on KF for recruiting MAC level talent, now Iowa is raiding the MVFC??? Seriously, there is no reason at all why Iowa should be shopping in the same grocery store as the MVFC FCS schools and a D2 school like Minnesota State. No reason at all. A PWO offer I can understand, but this is a scholarship offer and Iowa is not competing with other BIG schools or even MAC schools on this one.

Iowa stole Josey Jewell from Luther College.

 

[David1979]

Go look at the best LBs under Kirk Ferentz and the Parkers, guys that are all Big Ten caliber, and show me which ones were 4 and 5 stars.

If it is one thing I trust it is that they will get guys to have a good defense. It is on the other side of the ball they have fallen short in.

 

[hoffmkr]

When people complain about fall back recruits, they are ignoring history quite often.
Iowa has excelled at LB and TE with "fallback" recruits because they have the strength program to grow them, and they take high character individuals who have drive to get better. 2 tenths of a second in speed can be overcome by sure tackling and play recognition to react better.

Now Iowa has struggled with WR where those tenths of a second make a difference more and weight room strength isn't as big of impact.

Every year, Iowa has solid LB once they get 2nd year starters and can keep a decent DL in front of them. When LBs with no experience start, there are growing pains, and when they are constantly wrapped up by OL, even great LB have challenges.

I have confidence that whichever LBs emerge from the mosh-pit of candidates, they will be ready to perform.