Recruiting Report: Logan Smith (2018)

<p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">For <strong>Logan Smith</strong> and his Winona teammates, next year’s goal is simple -- a state championship. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">Smith will be one of the team’s 14 returning starters next fall. He figures to be an integral part on both sides of the ball again for the Winhawks, which were one win away from the apex of Class AAAA in 2016. They lost a 31-28 heartbreaker to Benilde-St. Margaret’s in Prep Bowl XXXV. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">“Last season really got the town of Winona behind us and showing support,” Smith said via email. “We&#39;re hoping we have just as much support throughout the community as last year. That should give us the motivation to reach that goal.” </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">Smith led the Winhawks with nine interceptions at safety and caught 16 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns at receiver. He specifically excels at jump balls, using his 6-foot-5 frame to out flank receivers and defensive backs alike.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">Multiple Division II schools around the upper Midwest like Winona State, Minnesota State-Moorhead and Northern Michigan are recruiting Smith. He also was invited to junior days at Princeton and Holy Cross, as well as the University of Minnesota. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">He said MSU-Moorhead has been in contact with him the most thus far.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">“The biggest quality I look for in a school is how good the academic program is and the ability to create relationships with the coaching staff and the players,” Smith said.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">Smith also competes in basketball at Winona, and has been busy with offseason training for football, working specifically on getting stronger in the weight room and improving his footwork. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">He’s still found time, however, to work at the counter of the Lakeview Drive Inn, making ice cream treats for customers inside and occasionally waiting on vehicles outside.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">“I really enjoy interacting with customers,” said Smith, who’s been working at the long-standing Winona restaurant for three years. “Friendly people make working at the Drive Inn twice as fun.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt">He’s hoping to have some on the gridiron next fall too -- all the way to U.S. Bank Stadium.</span></span></span></p>