Versatile Athlete Michael Ziemba Commits To Indiana

Indiana has been out front of two-star defensive end/tight end Michael Ziemba’s recruitment for the better part of the last two months.

On Monday, the Hoosiers got their man.

Ziemba committed to IU Monday morning, becoming the 12th commitment in the class of 2017.

"It just seemed like the right time," Ziemba told TheHoosier.com.

Ziemba, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, has been recruited at both tight end and defensive end at Indiana. While head coach Kevin Wilson and tight ends coach James Patton both want him lining up on offense, defensive coordinator Tom Allen and the other defensive coaches want to see him as a defensive end.

The Lake Mary, Florida, product said the initial plan is for him to start on the defensive line and be open to change from there.

"Defensive end and tight end are both possibilities," Ziemba said. "They can put me wherever they like and I will play it."

As a junior last season, Ziemba caught 21 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns on offense while adding 59 tackles and a sack as a defender en route to First-Team All-Conference honors. He'll have a chance to sharpen up his skills as a pass-rusher this upcoming season now knowing where the Hoosiers' coaches project him to play.

Ziemba’s versatility made him a potential fit at schools across the country who were recruiting him at tight end, fullback, defensive end and linebacker.

He chose the Hoosiers over the likes of Appalachian State, Cincinnati, Florida International, Georgia Southern, Purdue, Syracuse, Tulane and Western Kentucky, among 17 FBS offers.

Ziemba visited Indiana back in June and quickly built a strong relationship with IU's coaching staff that ultimately played into winning his pledge. He’s confident that they’ll put him wherever he needs to be on the field to have success at the next level.

“Whatever it takes to win games,” he said. “That’s what’ll determine where I’m at.”

Of Indiana’s 12 commitments in the 2017 class to date, nine either project to play on the offensive line, defensive line or tight end. With scholarships still left to be given out, the Hoosiers have already built up a deep group of athletes in the trenches.

Ziemba is happy to be the latest.

“It's a great feeling knowing that I am committed and I can focus on my senior season with my team," he said.