Iola-Scandinavia's Welch Signs with Packers Practice Squad

The Green Bay Packers have announced the signing of linebacker Kristian Welch to their practice squad in a press release on Thursday afternoon. Welch, a graduate of Iola-Scandinavia High School, had spent the first three seasons of his NFL career in Baltimore after going undrafted out of the University of Iowa. From the Packers press release: “Welch (6-3, 240), a fourth-year player out of the University of Iowa, was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2020. In three seasons, he played in 43 regular-season games and three postseason contests for the Ravens. Welch has posted five tackles (four solo) on defense and 16 tackles on special teams during the regular season and two tackles on special teams during the postseason. In 2021, he tied for No. 2 on the team with a career-best nine special teams tackles and helped Baltimore's unit rank No. 1 in Football Outsiders' DVOA rating. Welch will wear No. 54 for the Packers.” Welch played four seasons for Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2016-2019 and recorded 144 tackles, 9.5 Tackles for Loss, 3.5 Sacks, and 2 career interceptions during that time while being named honorable mention All-Big Ten. In the NFL, Welch has gotten limited time on defense but has been a special teams standout as described by the team above. In High School, Welch was an All-State player for the Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds, running for 3,065 yards in his high school career with 36 touchdowns as a running back and making 173 tackles on defense.