Who Really Is Noah Knigga? Sitting Down With The Indiana LB

The past week for Knigga has been life-changing, to say the least. He posted about his upcoming visit to West Virginia, and the rest is history.   First and foremost, mostly jokingly here because I've seen all the internet memes, I can confirm Noah is a real person. I first met Noah back during his freshman year at a camp at Ben Davis High School. At the time, he was a thinner-built LB who did a lot of things well. He needed to develop in the weight room, which he has, but the potential was there.   My initial conversation with him back then was nothing spectacular, but I remember leaving thinking he was just a humble, quiet, hardworking kid who just wanted to play football at the next level. Back then he told me he didn't care the level he played at. He brought up NAIA before I ever did. He just said he wanted to play college ball.   He left that freshman camp and followed it up with a solid 1st year. 69 tackles, 14 TFLs, 5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble as a freshman.   He continued to develop and put up 87 tackles, 17 TFLs, 7 sacks, an interception, and 2 forced fumbles as a sophomore.   His junior year saw him miss a few games due to an injury, but in just 6 games he put up 51 tackles, 13 TFLs, 2 sacks, and forced 2 fumbles.   Knigga is a highly productive, very High IQ football player who is great at or near the line of scrimmage. He's the son of a football coach and you can tell. He's wired the right way, he doesn't care about getting the glory and does everything for the good of the team. The joke "bring a lunch pale, first guy in last guy out" applies to Noah, because it's true. He'll outwork you, loves the team, and wants to win.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Interview</h2>   Question: What's your favorite pre-game meal?   Noah: "Chicken Alfredo. We're so lucky to have a team mom who cooks all the meals. I'm a bit worried because her son was just a senior so I'm hoping she comes back because her meals are incredible."   Question: What's your favorite snack?   Noah: "Jack links beef sticks. I eat 2-3 at school every day alone. I love them, plus they're high in protein so they hold me over."   Question: You have a day to yourself, what do you do?   Noah: "I love Planet Fitness. Either a workout or a way to rest my body. Then I'm either golfing or fishing. It depends on what my friends want to do."   Question: What type of video games do you play?   Noah: "Madden, 2K, Fortnite. Just stuff with friends and games you can compete on."   Question: "You're a 3 sport athlete, right?"   Noah: "Yes. Football, Basketball, and Track. I do discuss and shotput, but always practice with the sprinters to keep my stamina up/compete with them during practice."   Question: "What does football mean to you?"   Noah: "It means just about everything. I've been around it my whole life. I remember going to my dad's practices since I was 3. I love it even more now, because since my dad's my coach he holds me to a high standard. He doesn't let things slip by and he's always been my #1 supporter at the same time."   Question: "What are you looking for in a program?"   Noah: "Family. A brotherhood. From the coaches to the players. I want a team that fights for the guy next to him, and to be so close that we're the team having reunions when we're older."   Question: "What's something you're looking to improve on next year?"   Noah: "Improving on being a leader. Taking more of a vocal role because underclassmen are always asking me questions. I try to be there for them, but I'd like to do a better job being there before they ask."   Question: Do you care where you play? Level or location?   Noah: "No. I'll go wherever. Not only do I have my parents' support, but they've always told me to pick the place that feels like home, and that's what I'll do, wherever it is."   Question: Do you have a preferred major?   Noah: "Yes. I'd like to go into business. More specifically, sports management or something along those lines. I just want to stay around sports when I'm done playing."   Question: "What's your preferred position at the next level? Inside or outside?   Noah: "I like outside better, but will play inside. I like outside better because it gives me a chance to use my speed and length more often. I look up to Micah Parsons and TJ Watt. They're versatile and relentless wherever they line up on the field."   Question: What's 1 thing you'd like people to know about you since all of this has taken place?   Noah: "Truthfully, while all the attention over the past week has been cool I'm not trying to get caught up in it. I also take great pride in my football IQ and want people to know that. I work hard to learn the game and am always trying to learn."   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2023 Tape Review</h2>   The tape from Noah's junior season was his best yet, in my opinion despite the injury. The biggest reason for this was the physical development has come along without losing any of that explosiveness he's got from the LB position. His footwork has improved a ton and has become one of his better traits. His hips are always fluid, he doesn't take false steps and reads his keys. He's confident on the field and does a good job not getting too high or low emotionally on the field. Since his freshman year, he's been one of the more productive LBs in the state, and it was only a matter of time until his recruitment took off for 1 reason of another.

The past week for Knigga has been life-changing, to say the least. He posted about his upcoming visit to West Virginia, and the rest is history.