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