Weisskopf ready for B1G Stage

Whether you’re a Hawkeye fan, a Williamsburg fan or anyone who pays attention to Iowa high school sports, you may have heard the name Derek Weisskopf.

Weisskopf committed to play football for the University of Iowa in his sophomore year of high school.

  Buy Photo

What you may not know about Weisskopf, is that he was not always an Iowa fan, and it was not always his dream school to play for.

“At first I grew up an Iowa fan but then my aunt started cheering for Iowa State,” Weisskopf said.

“I started becoming a fan (of Iowa State) because I went to a lot of games with my grandparents.”

Weisskopf was recruited by both Iowa and Iowa State, but he was recruited by other schools as well.

“My first offer was Wisconsin after I high jumped 6 foot 9 inches,” Weisskopf added.

“I also visited Nebraska and Iowa State before I finally took a visit to Iowa.”

Iowa stood out in the recruiting process and was a key factor in leading Weisskopf to eventually choose the Hawkeyes.

“Iowa’s culture and how they ran their program was a huge difference for me,” Weisskopf said.

From day one Weisskopf was recruited to play linebacker, but football was not the only sport Weisskopf had a passion for.

“Basketball was my first love. My mom taught me to play from a young age,” Weisskopf said.

“I was looking forward to growing a couple more inches, but that didn’t happen so I had to switch passions.”

The opportunity to play at the Division I level was available for Weisskopf in football.

What Weisskopf and his fellow teammates have meant to the Williamsburg community cannot be overstated.

  Buy Photo

“It’s been unbelievable. I came into this community four years ago and have been treated as family right from the start,” Weisskopf said.

“This community has the athlete’s back, and it’s been a great ride with them.”

The individual accolades speak for themselves and are highlighted by Weisskopf’s being honored as an invitee to the 2024 All-American Bowl, which is a national recognition.

Weisskopf was named first team all-state and Gazette Co-Player of the year in football his senior year and was first team all-state in basketball in Class 3A.

What will be most memorable to the Williamsburg community is the team success Weisskopf helped bring. He was a part of a state track team championship in his junior year, a state football championship last fall and a state qualifying team in basketball earlier this year.

Weisskopf also ended his track career on a high note, placing second in the discus, fourth in high jump and eighth in the shot put in Class 3A.

Having great coaches and great people around were things that Weisskopf saw as similarities when comparing Williamsburg and the Hawkeye football program.

“The coaches are phenomenal across all sports. They strive to not only make us better athletes but better people too,” Weisskopf said.

As Weisskopf closes this chapter of his life, he is excited to begin a new one.

All Hawkeye football players will be moving in this weekend and beginning summer camp next week as they prepare for the fall 2024 season.

“I’m excited for this journey and my development, not only physically, but as a person as well,” Weisskopf said.

“I can’t wait to see the difference from when I came in as a freshman and what I come out as a senior (at Iowa).”

Weisskopf will also have the benefit of learning from two of the nation’s best as a freshman in the linebacker room.

Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson will be returning to the Hawkeyes for their fifth and sixth years as collegiate athletes.

Higgins led the country with 171 total tackles last year and Jackson tallied 110 of his own.

“It’s a huge deal. Being able to look up to them and learn from them this year will help me for the next 10,” Weisskopf said.

“It’s going to be a great experience to have them to work under.”

Weisskopf will not be the only former Raider on the Hawkeye roster this year.

Kaden Wetjen, who saw special team reps and some snaps on offense last season, will most likely have an increased role this fall.

Weisskopf will pursue a degree in exercise science in his time at Iowa.