Ben Kueter won't be on Iowa football roster for 2026 season
The 2026 season will mark the third in a row without Ben Kueter being on the Iowa football roster.
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz announced on August 14 that Ben Kueter will not be part of the 2026 Iowa football roster. Kueter, a multi-sport star at Iowa City High and a four-star linebacker in the 2023 high school recruiting class, has been focused on wrestling in recent years. In his first year of college, Kueter participated in both Iowa football and wrestling programs, though he did not make his football debut.
In 2024, Kueter took a temporary break from football to concentrate on wrestling. He has twice been named an All-American in heavyweight wrestling and has undergone multiple offseason surgeries. In March, his mother Tina disclosed via Facebook that Ben faced a life-threatening health issue after surgery, where his breathing stopped and heart rate dropped.
Despite the challenging situation, Ben fought back, pushed through with minimal pain medication, and remained calm and tough. The 2026 season will be the third consecutive one without Kueter on the Iowa football roster. Iowa is projected to have strong play at linebacker this season, with Jayden Montgomery returning after gaining some starting experience last year and Cam Buffington emerging as a breakout candidate.
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