Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Penn State Football

Playing at Penn State was ‘No. 1’ on Kiesewetter’s List

Penn State Athletics

Karson Kiesewetter grew up 45 minutes away from Penn State in his hometown of Altoona. Now, he’ll be calling Happy Valley home for the next few years after verbally committing as a preferred walk on earlier this week.

It’s been a long time coming for Kiesewetter, who has dreamt of being a FBS athlete for as long as he can remember, though, the process to get to Penn State was about as quick as his commute to University Park.

Kiesewetter, the 2021 1A Player of the Year in Pennsylvania, met with his head coach at Bishop Guilfoyle, Justin Wheeler last week to talk about his future plans and what they were.

“I spoke to Karson last week about his offers and his future and he mentioned that he wanted his dreams a shot by playing college football at an FBS school and of course Penn State was No. 1 on his list,” Wheeler said. “I reached out to Terry Smith and he got me in contact with Coach Rachad Elby. From there Karson’s film did the rest.”

Boy, did his film ever do the rest and it put Kiesewetter further on Penn State’s radar leading to his preferred walk on offer he received on Tuesday.

“I always thought I could play at any level with anyone, but when coach Wheeler said he could try to get me the opportunity, it was awesome,” Kiesewetter said. “I went to Penn State last Saturday and got the opportunity to play.”

Kiesewetter had offers from FCS Saint Francis and a few Division 2 schools prior to his visit on Saturday. After that, it was all Nittany Lions.

“It was awesome. Saint Francis is the real deal, but Penn State is THE REAL DEAL, you’re playing in front of hundreds of thousands of fans at a top program in the world,” Kiesewetter said.

Now with the offer and commitment in tow, Kiesewetter is set to sign his National Letter of Intent February 1st.

“It’s a relief, everyone is always worrying about what they’re going to do in the future, and it’s finally nice to have a path to follow,” Kiesewetter said.

The Penn State quarterback room is deep, but Kiesewetter is dynamic and athletic enough to see time at other positions on both sides of the football which is why the Nittany Lions recruited him as both a quarterback and athlete.

“Karson is the most dynamic and explosive player I have ever coached,” Wheeler said. “That’s a big statement for me because I have coached kids that have gone on to play at Notre Dame, West Virginia and all through the FCS level in my 12 years at Bishop Guilfoyle.”

It should come as no surprise then why broadcasters and those around him praise his athletic prowess.

“He has incredible speed, quickness and has made more people miss than I can count,” Wheeler said. “During our state championship run in 2021, the TV broadcasters compared him to Lamar Jackson, so I think Penn State fans should be excited he will be in the blue and white.”

Kiesewetter saw time in all three phases of the game during his decorated career at Bishop Guilfoyle where he helped the Marauders to the 2021 Class A State Championship, four District 6 Championships and a finalist for Mr. PA Football both in 2021 and 2022 and was named All-State in 2021 and 2022.

Confidence radiates from Kiesewetter any time he steps on the field or even the basketball court Bishop Guilfoyle and that confidence is the result of Kiesewetter’s body and mind being in sync. It’s that same confidence that could very well make sure he sees the field regularly by the time he’s done at Penn State.

“The way my whole body works together with my mind. That’s the key, to be on the same page and have confidence in myself.”

Those unfamiliar with Kiesewetter’s game will find out very quickly just how athletic he is and the Penn State faithful will certainly respect his mindset as he embarks on his career with the Nittany Lions.

“They can expect my best and nothing less,” Kiesewetter said. “There is nothing more I love to do than entertain people, and that’s what I plan to do when I get there.”

Kiesewetter has been entertaining those watching Bishop Guilfoyle games for years and now, those same fans and people in the stands will be able to see him play college football just a short drive up Interstate 99. Being able to play in front of those people and his family and friends is not something lost on Kiesewetter.

“It’s awesome. A lot of my friends are going to Penn State,” Kiesewetter said. “It’s also really cool knowing I’ll have a big following with my friends and family and people can drive up every week to watch.”

More from Nittany Sports Now

Penn State Football

1 For Penn State coach James Franklin, it’s hard to tell at this point in spring camp where the backing corps is at. “We’re...

Penn State Football

0 University Park— Penn State HC James Franklin speaks with media, including NSN’s Joe Smeltzer, after the spring practice Tuesday, March 26, 2024. 0

Sights and Sounds

0 University Park— For the first time since the spring of 2016, Tom Allen is starting the season as a defensive coordinator. This was the...

Penn State Football

0 It los like Penn State football has completed its 2025 schedule. Per a report by college football insider Brett McMurphy of the Action Network since...