2025 Interview with Keaton Mennen, Van Meter, Iowa and South Dakota Commit
Keaton Mennen
Van Meter
RG/DT
2026
6’4 270 lbs
Jersey Number: 59
Awards won or earned:
2022 Class 1A State Championship,
2023 Class 2A District 7 Football Honorable Mention,
2023 Class 2A State Championship,
2024 First Team all-district defensive linemen,
2024 State Runner-up.
HUDL LINK:
Other sports played:
Basketball and track
Please 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.
In my final game vs. West Lyon in 2024, I racked up 6.5 tackles, a personal record.
What are your personal goals for the 2025 season?
I want to help lead my team to have the best possible season and to be a good role model and set a bar for underclass men.
What goals are you setting for your team?
I want to have another great season and make it to the semifinals for the 11th year in a row. We are always having to set the bar, so we have to bring the intensity every year.
Van Meter wins and wins and wins; as a player, do you feel any added pressure in trying to build on an already pressure-winning tradition?
I definitely do feel pressure being a senior and much more of a leader now; as a player, it's important to us that we keep having great seasons and keep setting that bar. It's weird not having seniors to rely on, but that's where every senior class needs to step up, take the throne, and help lead their team towards a great season.
Tightened or defensive end, Which one do you feel that you are best at?
Last year I played tight end and defensive tackle; this year I will still be playing defensive tackle, but instead of tight end I will be playing right guard. Out of these positions, I am definitely best at defensive tackle; that’s the position that I’ve played the most and the position that I started at as a sophomore.
With this being your final high school football season, have you trained any differently heading into the season?
I definitely have trained differently this off-season. I’ve gotten out in the fields way more and worked much harder. I went to several camps and received some offers. But since it is my senior year, I want to be the biggest asset to my team and contribute the most I can to winning.
What makes you a good teammate?
I am a good teammate because I help some of the underclass men understand their jobs, and I’d like to think I am a good role model. I give good effort and show the underclass men what it takes to be a good football team and player while helping them along the way.
Who is the toughest teammate to square off against during practice?
I would say most of my own challenges are me vs. me; however, on the line, at least for other players, Luke Steinfeldt—our center—would be a pretty tough teammate to play against.
Who is the best player that you have faced in a game, along with the team he was on?
The best player I’ve probably ever played with would be Reese Vanderzee. He played for Central Lyon, George Little Rock. He was their quarterback, and he is now playing at Iowa as a wide receiver.
If the game is on the line, do you want to be on offense or defense? Explain
If the game is on the line, I personally would want to be on defense, because I am best at defense, but I also know that we have a very reliable defense, and we tend to win a lot of our biggest nail-biters because of it.
What is the worst weather to play in?
Playing in the heat definitely sucks, and it’s also horrible to play in the rain because you lose all of your traction on the field. But the worst is when it’s very cold outside, you can’t feel your fingers, everything hurts more, and taking off your helmet is the worst thing ever.
Why should a college coach recruit you?
I’ve already been pretty well recruited by college coaches, and I’ve committed to South Dakota. The reason why I’m a recruitable player is that I am physical, fast, and willing to learn. I’m ambitious, and I have a winning attitude. I always want to get better.
Can you share with the readers some of the colleges that you are hearing from?
I am committed to South Dakota, but I have received offers from UNI, Drake, and roughly 7 more that are DII offers. In terms of schools I have heard from and have contacted, there would be Iowa, Iowa State, USD, SDSU, NDSU, UND, Western Illinois, Army West Point, Navy, Montana, Wyoming, Toledo, and more.
What is your favorite and least favorite type of music?
I like some good classic rock, but I don’t really dislike any specific kind of music.
Outside of sports, what are you doing for fun?
I like to golf, lift, and play video games.
Who are your role models?
My role models are the graduated upperclassmen who led by example for me. Now I want to do the same for the underclass men.
Follow me on X @HEARTLANDFAN15
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