Decision looms for coveted K-State, KU football recruiting target Ian Premer
A pair of Big 12 football teams are utilizing social media to make some not-so-subtle recruiting pitches to one of the most coveted prospects in the region.
On Monday afternoon, both Iowa State and Kansas State shared posts on X (formerly Twitter) that were obviously directed at Great Bend tight end Ian Premer.
The Wildcats were first to the punch. At 4:52 p.m. the team’s official X account sent out a post that reminded the world about all the touchdowns K-State tight ends scored last season.
“Tight ends turned red zone into end zone,” the post read. “Thirteen (touchdowns), most in the country in 2024.”
K-State also shared video highlights of many of those scores, with Garrett Oakley, Will Swanson, Will Anciaux and Brayden Loftin all catching passes in the end zone.
The Wildcats don’t usually try to sell themselves to recruits so publicly, but no one can blame Chris Klieman and his football staff for pulling out all the stops on this one. Premer is a 6-foot-5 and 200-pound playmaker with a four-star rating.
He is also the No. 1 rated in-state recruit for the class of 2026.
One more thing to add: He is such a good overall athlete that K-State basketball coach Jerome Tang has offered him a scholarship to play on the hardwood instead of on the gridiron.
Premer recently finished a campus visit in Manhattan. He has also visited Iowa State, Kansas and Notre Dame. He is expected to choose between those schools in the near future.
For now, it is unclear which team is in the lead. But one thing is for sure. Other teams aren’t going to let K-State sign him without a fight.
Iowa State was quick to point out its strong recent history with tight ends shortly after K-State did the same on Monday. At 7:10 p.m. Monday, ISU assistant coach Noah Pauley sent out a post on X that shared pictures of four different Cyclones tight ends making big plays.
His caption: “Developed by THE best in the country. Big year ahead.”
Kansas and Notre Dame need to act fast if they want to get in on the action.
A few random posts on social media probably won’t sway Premer’s decision one way or the other. But it is fascinating to see Iowa State and K-State sell themselves to a recruit in this manner.
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM with the headline "Decision looms for coveted K-State, KU football recruiting target Ian Premer."