Ben Kueter Attacking Two Sports

Iowa Freshman Embarks on Challenging Course

Iowa linebacker Ben Kueter talks with teammates during media day on Aug. 11, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa true freshman linebacker Ben Kueter is attempting a very difficult task. He's preparing for seasons in football and wrestling in an age when every college sport demands full-time dedication. 

Last Thursday was an off-day for Iowa Football players. His teammates took a breather. Kueter felt like getting on the mat.

"I asked coach (Kirk) Ferentz if I could go do that. He asked if I could handle it. I said I could," Kueter said.

He then told wrestling coach Tom Brands that he'd be over in the room. 

"He was like, during football season, go play football. Have fun with that. But that's not really how I'm wired. So, I'll probably try to be in (the wrestling room) a couple of times a week, as much as I can. It's an everyday process right now trying to navigate that," Kueter said. 

He competed in four sports at Iowa City High. He also ran track and played baseball. He'd traveled to Ames multiple times a week throughout the year for club wrestling practice, never worrying about burnout or fatigue. 

The setup worked. He was a finalist for the Butkus Award for the top high school linebacker last year when he also topped off a 111-0 prep wrestling career with his fourth state title. He won a U20 world championship last summer as well. 

Kueter (6-3, 220) is used to pushing himself very hard with few breaks. He also understands that college is a different animal than the prep ranks. He's being reminded of that on the football field. 

"It's a process. I want to know everything right now, but that's just not how it works. It's a little different than high school ball. In high school, all I needed to do was see ball get ball, really. It's a learning process, but I'm figuring it out," he said. 

City High played Kueter at middle linebacker and that's where he's been lining up at Iowa camp this month. 

"I feel confident getting calls and stuff like that. It's just having confidence in what calls I'm giving and trying to figure that out. It's a process, but I'm excited," he said. 

Kueter is leaning on veterans at his position. Seniors Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson are seasoned middle linebackers at the college level. 

"It's great. They help me out after most practices. I ask them how I did. Most nights in the hotel, I'm going in their room trying to pick their brains to find an edge over other people," Kueter said. 

For a person who's stood out athletically all of his life, Kueter understands competing in football games and wrestling matches isn't a given this school year. He's not used to watching from the sidelines. 

"It's always difficult not being able to play. You can look at it that way or you can look at it as, ok, what can I do to help the team out? If that's me being the best scout-team player, if that's me being the best special-teams player, that's what I am," he said. 

"The biggest thing is what I can do to help out the team." 

Special teams' work serves as a right of passage for most Hawkeyes who go on to play offense and defense. Kueter would welcome that opportunity and responsibility. 

"I definitely think special teams is something I'd like," he said.