Kaevon Merriweather wasn’t always planning on playing football at Iowa. David Eickholt of 247Sports spoke to him about what took place in high school that led him there.

Merriweather was a former 3-star recruit out of the 2018 recruiting class per the 247Sports Composite. However, there was a time when he was interested in playing D-1 basketball as well.

Merriweather apparently tried to commit to Western Michigan to play basketball after his final AAU game, but the coach at the time told him to wait before doing so. Merriweather later decided to play football at Iowa for Kirk Ferentz instead.

The rest has been history for Merriweather, who has earned a starting safety role with the Hawkeyes. In his 37 games played for Iowa he has 55 solo tackles, 33 assisted, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions.

Iowa’s defense would be missing his leadership if he had decided to go to Western Michigan for basketball.

Merriweather will be leading Ferentz’s defense again on Saturday with Michigan coming to Kinnick Stadium.