George Kittle, the All-Pro tight end who became one of the NFL's biggest stars, nearly started his football journey at Weber State instead of Iowa. The San Francisco 49ers standout told FOX Sports this week that the Hawkeyes' scholarship offer only came at the last minute in 2012, after several Iowa recruits backed out of their commitments.
Kittle was a two-star recruit out of high school with exactly one offer on the table, from Weber State in Montana. He was ready to take it.
A Last-Minute Offer Changed Everything
Commitment day was closing in, and Kittle admitted he was preparing to head to Big Sky Country with the one scholarship he had.
“It was the only offer I had,” Kittle told the FOX Sports “Big Noon Kickoff” crew.
Then fate stepped in. Multiple Iowa recruits de-committed late in the process, leaving Kirk Ferentz and his staff with sudden openings, as Bull Source reported. The Hawkeyes needed bodies, and they needed someone who knew the program. Kittle fit both requirements.
The Bruce Kittle and Kirk Ferentz Connection
The story of how a short-haired, stocky tight end from Wisconsin landed in Iowa City runs straight through his father. Bruce Kittle played offensive line for the Hawkeyes from 1977 to 1981, and his position coach as a senior was a young Kirk Ferentz.
Ferentz left for a stint as an NFL assistant, then returned to Iowa City as head coach in 1999. More than a decade later, that old relationship between Bruce Kittle and Ferentz opened the door for George, as BVM Sports detailed.
When the call finally came from Iowa in 2012, Kittle's answer was short and sure.
“Sounds like a great idea,” Kittle said.
From Overlooked Recruit to Hawkeye Star
Kittle did not arrive in Iowa City as a finished product. He spent two years transforming himself from a perimeter-based pass-catcher into a sturdy, 250-pound tight end who could block and catch.
The development paid off. Kittle caught 48 passes for 737 yards and 10 touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons, numbers that caught the attention of NFL scouts. The 49ers selected him in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and the rest is history.
Still Bleeding Black and Gold
Kittle has never hidden his love for his alma mater. He and his 49ers teammate, former Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy, keep a running rivalry going over their in-state college loyalties.
On Saturday, Kittle smashed a pumpkin on the FOX Sports set to signal his prediction that Iowa would beat Wisconsin, a moment Hawkeye fans loved.
His Iowa ties run deeper than football. He met his wife, Claire, a former Hawkeyes basketball player, on campus in Iowa City. Together they started the Kittle Foundation, which donates to Stead Family Children's Hospital, the facility attached to Kinnick Stadium.
“We're looking forward to any time we're giving back to the children's hospital,” Kittle said.
Why the Story Matters
For Iowa fans, the story is a reminder of how thin the margin can be between a program-defining player and one who gets away. If a handful of recruits had honored their commitments in 2012, Kittle might have spent his college career in Montana rather than blocking and catching for the Hawkeyes.
Instead, a family connection, some late roster openings and a willingness to bet on an undersized tight end brought a future star to Iowa City. Hawkeye fans have been enjoying the results ever since, on Saturdays in Kinnick Stadium and on Sundays in Santa Clara.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did George Kittle almost go to Weber State?
Kittle was a two-star recruit with only one scholarship offer, from Weber State, when late de-commitments at Iowa created an opening for the Hawkeyes to offer him in 2012.
How is George Kittle connected to Kirk Ferentz?
Kittle's father, Bruce, played offensive line at Iowa from 1977 to 1981, when Ferentz was his position coach. That relationship helped George get his late offer.
What did George Kittle accomplish at Iowa?
Kittle caught 48 passes for 737 yards and 10 touchdowns over his junior and senior seasons before the San Francisco 49ers drafted him in the fifth round in 2016.