Ben Kueter, a former four‑star linebacker who starred at Iowa City High, announced that he will not return to the Iowa football roster for the 2026 season, shifting his focus to wrestling.
The decision follows a series of offseason surgeries that left the senior with a severe health crisis; a near‑loss of consciousness was turned into a recovery story that convinced him to prioritize the mat over the gridiron.
In wrestling, Kueter has already established himself as an All‑American at heavyweight and has become a staple in the program’s national rankings, giving the team a strong mat presence despite his football absence.
A health scare reshapes a career path
His departure marks the third consecutive season that the Hawkeyes will field a linebacker group without him, a gap that the coaching staff plans to fill with returning players Jayden Montgomery and Cam Buffington, both viewed as breakout candidates for the defense.
During his freshman year at Iowa, Kueter participated in both football and wrestling but never made his football debut, a brief experiment that now appears to have been a stepping stone toward his full‑time wrestling commitment.
The move underscores how a single health episode can redirect a promising multi‑sport athlete’s trajectory, and it leaves the Hawkeyes counting on younger talent to shoulder the linebacker responsibilities in the upcoming season.