2025 Interview with Daxon Kiesau from Urbandale High School (IOWA)

 

Daxon Kiesau

Urbandale High School

Long snapper, tight end, O-line, linebacker.

2027

6’2” - 230 lbs

Jersey Number: 84

Awards won or earned:

3.5-star Kohl's long snapper.

Urbandale Football Leadership Council Member.

Academic All-State.

HUDL LINK:

http://www.hudl.com/profile/19669102

Other sports played:

Track—Throws

Wrestling

Basketball

Baseball

Soccer

Post a small recap of last season with something like a big game you had, something about a certain game, something from a bus ride to or from the game, or something that sticks out from a practice.

I remember week 3; we were at Bettendorf. The first two games of the year, after I had snapped, I would have to run 8–12 yards before trying to get past their linebacker. Well, against Bettendorf, we line up for our first punt near our own end zone. I get the snap off clean, and when I pick my head up, there is a linebacker right in front of me. I get by, and after the tackle was made, then we head off the field. When we come out for our second punt. I peek up before I snap, and I see him in front of me. I snap the ball, and when he tries to block me, I essentially hip-toss him to the ground in a pancake block. I get to the sidelines, and my teammates and coaches are all pumped up. And on the next snap, we were midfield. While we were engaged mid-block, he got called for an illegal holding. And I still run him down for another pancake. That got my coaches pumped up; we got the ball back in better field position. And their long snapper is pancaking the opposing linebackers. That linebacker moved back 10 yards for all punts the rest of the game.

What are you going to miss the most from the 2025 class?

Definitely the leadership and community they built. They were always including everyone and were role models for the players during practice and games.

How did you get into long snapping?

Freshman year, two weeks before our first game. Our freshman team lines up on the side, and our head coach asks, “Who wants to try long snapping?” thinking it can’t be too hard, and it is another way to start other than linebacker. (That year) I stepped up.

How often during practice do you get to practice your long snapping skills?

In-season, I probably snap 5–7 days a week.

Summer/Winter, 4–5 days a week

Spring (Track), 1–2 days a week

What is the toughest part of being a long snapper?

Just going out there knowing that you don’t want to be known. If anyone watching the game knows the long snapper, then it is almost always for a bad reason. So I just get out there, do my job, and go back to the sideline.

What is the best part of being a tight end?

I like the mix of being a receiver and a lineman. I’m not the fastest on the field, but I am a big target for the quarterback. Sophomore year, I led the JV team in receptions while being 2nd in receiving yards. But also I can stay on the line and do my best to protect the quarterback.

What is the toughest part of being a tight end?

I’d say being as versatile as possible. It’s a lot easier for a tight end to be a primary receiver or a 6th lineman. I think a tight end is truly valuable when they can do both efficiently.

What are your goals for the season?

Perfect snaps all year.

Average a 0.70 snap time on all punt snaps.

What goals will you set for your team?

Make the playoffs.

As an athlete, in any sport, at any age, what has been your biggest moment?

May 1st, 2025. I had a track meet at Waukee Northwest. In that meet, I threw discus and shot put. In discus, I had an amazing meet where I PR’d and broke the school record as a sophomore, and that throw still has me ranked among the 15 best throwers in the country for my class. The throw was 178’ 2”.

What is the worst weather to play in?

I would definitely say in freezing conditions. It is very hard to snap accurately and at a good speed when your fingers have limited movement. That makes it harder to get a tight spiral on the snap.

What do you feel is the strongest part of your game?

Definitely the speed of my snaps. As of right now, I am snapping speeds of an elite level. My last charting performance, I averaged a snap time of 0.66 seconds.

Do you feel as though you and your teammates are role models to the younger kids who come and root for you?

Yes, definitely. I remember when I was younger watching the high schoolers, and I couldn’t wait to get on that field. Now I am that high schooler, and we can do a lot to positively impact the future of Urbandale.

What is your favorite type of music?

I listen to a lot of types of music. Hip-hop, country. But I primarily listen to worship music. Brandon Lake, Forrest Frank, Caleb Gordon, and Josiah Queen.

Iowa State, Iowa, or Northern Iowa?

I am a born and raised die-hard Cyclone fan. My family has had season tickets for the past 3-4 years. But it would be a dream to be able to play for any of those schools.

Who are your role models?

I would say my parents. They are both incredibly hard-working, and they have done a lot to get me to where I am now.

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