South Hamilton senior linebacker Logan Klemp was offered and accepted a scholarship to play football at the University of Iowa on Friday. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

AMES — Hey Logan Klemp, dreams do come true. Oh, and welcome to Big Ten football.

South Hamilton’s 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior linebacker is headed to the University of Iowa. At approximately 12:15 p.m. today, Klemp was offered and accepted a scholarship to play for the Hawkeyes and head coach Kirk Ferentz, his dad and South Hamilton head football coach Corey Klemp confirmed to the Daily Freeman-Journal.

From the Hawks to the Hawkeyes. Not bad.

Ferentz and defensive line coach Reece Morgan flew into Ames on Wednesday and spent several hours with Logan Klemp in Jewell that afternoon. Linebackers coach Seth Wallace then informed Klemp of the offer via a telephone call today.

“It’s been a long process, but it all worked out as he dreamed in the end,” Corey Klemp said of his son’s decision. “It’s obviously something he’s worked extremely hard for and has been very passionate about. To see him rewarded in this way, it’s just really cool.”

Klemp had a slew of scholarship offers — UNI, North Dakota State, North Dakota, South Dakota State, Minnesota State and Cornell University all wanted him — and last week verbally committed to attend the University of South Dakota, but for an Iowa kid who grew up bleeding black and gold, the opportunity to suit up for the Hawkeyes was simply too good to pass up.

A four-year starter for South Hamilton, Klemp was twice named an all-state linebacker by the Iowa Newspaper Association. This past fall, the Iowa Football Coaches Association named him the Class 1A Player of the Year after he led the Hawks to an 8-2 record and trip to the state playoffs.

As a senior, Klemp made 82 1/2 tackles, including 53 solo stops. He recorded 11 tackles for loss and six sacks. On offense, he rushed for 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns.

A decorated multiple-sport athlete, Klemp is a starter on South Hamilton’s fifth-ranked (Class 2A) basketball team that takes an unblemished 19-0 record into tonight’s game at North Polk. A starter on the hardwood for four years, he was a vital piece of the Hawks’ squad that reached the state tournament a season ago.

Last spring, Klemp placed seventh in the 2A shot put at the state track and field meet. He’ll be among the favorites to medal again in May.

The entire South Hamilton community rallied around Klemp throughout the recruiting process, and now it will get the chance to watch him grow at the college level.

“It’s as big a thing for South Hamilton as it is for Logan,” Corey Klemp said. “It’s neat to see people get behind him and I know he’s very appreciative of that.”

Klemp will officially sign his letter of intent on Wednesday.

Look for more in Monday’s edition of The Daily Freeman-Journal.