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HIGH ENERGY

Now on scholarship, Fisher ready for next step

Photo by Brian Ray/www.hawkeyesports.com: Southeast Valley graduate Kyler Fisher celebrates after scoring his special teams touchdown for Iowa at Nebraska last season.

IOWA CITY — When Kyler Fisher received the news that he would be on scholarship for the University of Iowa, he wanted to keep it a secret.

Fisher was waiting to share it with his parents in person.

“I ended up not telling anyone for a couple of days because I wanted to tell them face-to-face,” said the Southeast Valley graduate. “They were excited about it.

“My mom started crying and my dad walked out of the house with a tear in his eye.”

Fisher, a first team Class 2A all-state selection his senior year in 2018 with the Jaguars, first joined the Iowa program as a preferred walk-on.

After four years with the program — playing special teams and switching from defensive back to linebacker — Fisher was excited to relieve his parents of the financial burden coming with his education first and foremost.

“I was glad that my parents wouldn’t have to pay for my school anymore,” Fisher said. “I was lucky that they did up to this point, but now they can use that money to save for my little brother (Kashton).”

Fisher first heard his scholarship news during practice at Kinnick Stadium.

“We were in the middle of practice doing individual drills and then we split into position groups,” Fisher said. “I was doing drills with the linebackers and when I got done with my individual rep, I was walking back to get in line. Coach Ferentz pulled me aside and told me I was on scholarship. I thanked him, then I just went right back to practice.”

Fisher and roommate, starting linebacker Jack Campbell, had discussed the possibility before.

“Jack and I had talked about it,” Fisher said. “Jack was on the sideline and we made eye contact, and he knew. He could tell.

“I ended up telling Jack and the group, and then we broke it down.”

It’s still business as usual for Fisher, the newest Div. I scholarship athlete for the Hawkeyes.

“As for football, I’m still doing the same job,” Fisher said. “I’m trying to improve as a linebacker. None of this changes my mindset.”

Heading into his junior campaign, Fisher is a back-up weakside linebacker for Iowa.

Last season, Fisher made a splash on the defensive side of the ball and earned the Team Hustle Award for his efforts on special teams.

Fisher started one game for the Hawkeyes, against Maryland. He finished the season with five tackles total, and had a key play in a 28-21 win in Lincoln against Nebraska. The former Jaguar returned a blocked punt 14 yards for a touchdown to help secure the victory.

“Being a D-I athlete takes so much time. You have to put everything into all that you do,” Fisher said. “You have to show up and put an emphasis on a new goal every day. There is also a lot of work outside of practice with weight lifting, film study and getting to know your teammates and trusting them.”

As for this season, Fisher and the Hawkeyes are wrapping up camp as they get closer to their Sept. 3 opener.

“Camp has been going pretty well,” Fisher said. “There are a lot of high hopes for our team because we have a lot of depth. We have a lot of seniors leading the way.

“Everyone is focusing on finishing out camp and taking things day by day.”

Fisher was a standout athlete for Southeast Valley on the football field and the wrestling mat. In his senior season with the Jaguars, he ran for 2,046 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Fisher is currently the school’s all-time leading rusher with 2,923 yards. He is second in rushing touchdowns (41) behind Lathe Muench (45).

On the wrestling mat, Fisher was a three-time state runner up for the Jaguars.

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