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Iowa football: Hawkeye superlatives for the 2019 season

By Andrew Wade

BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 13: Mekhi Sargent #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs with the ball against the Indiana Hossiers at Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 13: Mekhi Sargent #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs with the ball against the Indiana Hossiers at Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 01: Linebacker Nick Niemann #49 of the Iowa Hawkeyes misses a tackle during the first half against wide receiver D.J. Brown #10 of the Northern Illinois Huskies on September 1, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 01: Linebacker Nick Niemann #49 of the Iowa Hawkeyes misses a tackle during the first half against wide receiver D.J. Brown #10 of the Northern Illinois Huskies on September 1, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Under the radar: Nick Niemann

Not a lot of attention is being paid to junior linebacker Nick Niemann. The brother of current Kansas City Chief Ben Niemann and son of current assistant defensive line coach Jay Niemann, Nick Niemann has the pedigree to play the position.

He began last season as the starter and started four games before missing several games due to injury. When he returned, it was in a backup capacity. Now, he is listed as the backup linebacker behind Kristian Welch, but what I learned during the 2018 season with Phil Parker and this group of linebackers, for the most part, they are interchangeable and the best guy will play.

Last season, in limited time, Niemann recorded 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack, but what impressed me was his ability to go sideline to sideline and his sure-handed tackling.

Against the Iowa State Cyclones, Niemann was a second on the time in tackles with 7 and had 1 tackle for loss. He was a big reason why the David Montgomery struggled so mightily against the Iowa football team.

Next. 3 biggest question marks in 2019. dark

It’s only a matter of time before he wins back a starting spot and puts himself back on everybody’s radar.

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