BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Great Bend's multi-sport standout Ian Premer announced a football commitment to Notre Dame Thursday on social media. Premer chose Notre Dame over Kansas State, Kansas and Iowa State.

The 6-foot-6 tight end caught 30 passes for 541 yards and eight touchdowns last year. He rushed for 260 yards and two scores.

"I'm fortunate to coach a player like Ian who's brought his coaches along for the ride," said Great Bend football coach Erin Beck. "All the college coaches could connect with Ian. It's a dream come true."

Beck said Premer handled the recruiting process flawlessly.

"Ian is the way he is because of his parents Mandi and Chad. It's the way he was raised," Beck said. "All the coaches thanked me for how Ian handled the recruiting process. Those coaches wanted what's best for him. An Iowa State coach told Ian, 'you are making the right decision for yourself.'

Beck guessed that Premer would choose Notre Dame after his visit.

"Once he came back from Notre Dame's visit, he was excited," Beck said. "A degree from Notre Dame sets you up for life. It's a life insurance policy because academics means a lot to Ian. 

"Everything they say about Notre Dame is true. They play on a national landscape. It'll be fun to see Ian play at Notre Dame."

All-state tight end Premer is a 3-sport all-stater. The Most Valuable Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, earned first team all-state football, basketball and baseball honors.

"The Notre Dame coaches love that Ian is a 3-sport athlete," Beck said. "They were blown away by his basketball tap where Ian showed his unbelievable athleticism. Those Division 1 coaches are at that level for a reason. They know how to recruit. I was impressed how they handled everything."

Beck's trickiest juggling act was trying to squeeze in college recruiters visits during the school year.

"It was a little stressful at times trying to navigate Ian in-and-out of class," he said. "The administrators and teachers were understanding. They knew Ian would take care of his classroom work."

Great Bend football finished with a 9-1 record last year. The Panthers will be ranked as high as second behind defending 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the 2025 season.

The Panthers feature first-team WAC Defensive Player of the Year Trenton Kern (113 tackles), first team quarterback Daxton Minton (1,385 yards, 17 TDs), first team receiver Cooper Ohnmacht (35-466, 6 TDs), first team linebacker Jacob Hall and first team safety Premer.

Second team All-WAC returnees are OL Trenton Kern, OL Karter Brown and second team linebackers Kale Kern and Connor Holladay.