Iowa football: Three players who stood out in the win over Iowa State
By Andrew Wade
Nick Niemann
After being the main point of discussion this past week, Iowa’s linebacker core really stepped up it’s game. I could easily give this to Jack Hockaday, Nick Niemann, or Djimon Colbert for a variety of reasons.
Hockaday replaced Amani Jones admirably while Colbert, a true freshman, was all over the field in replacement of Kristian Welch.
Nick Niemann is my second standout player from the game Saturday. The younger brother of Ben Niemann, who just made the Chiefs roster, Nick has shown he has the skills to potentially be the next great Iowa linebacker.
Although he did almost all of his statistical damage in the first half, the entire game he was one of the best players on the Iowa defense.
Nick Niemann led Iowa's defense with 7 tackles in the first half; 1 sack included.
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) September 8, 2018
The sack was especially clutch and showed what kind of instincts the redshirt sophomore out of Sycamore, Illinois has. It forced a fourth down in the 1st quarter, and it was because Niemann disguised it well. At the beginning of the play, it appeared that Niemann would be playing outside zone or bumping the inside receiver, and as soon as the ball was snapped he took off for Kempt.
Kempt never saw him.
Nick Niemann sees the game like his brother and dad. Excellent call by Phil Parker.
— Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse) September 8, 2018
Initially thought to be one of the weakest spots on the Iowa football team, linebacker is beginning to come into it’s own very quickly, and just in the nick of time. With a tune up game against UNI next week, the Hawks will quickly set their sights on the Big Ten Conference schedule. Niemann appears ready to for the test.