Recruiting Report: Max Janes (2018)

Whether it’s spending a few extra minutes watching film or getting an extra workout to enhance his physical skills, Max Janes’ actions illustrate his passion for football. Janes started every game at tight end as a junior last season for Mounds View, helping them to a 7-3 record. He’s worked to improve on his breakout junior year this offseason and started participating in weightlifting competitions this winter, while also adjusting his diet as he learns more about nutrition. “To truly be good at this and set yourself apart, you have to first really know that you love the game,” Janes said via email. “All those little things that suck and take effort to do, but you do them happily because you know it makes you better at what you love to do.” Janes was one of the best big-play tight ends in the state last season, averaging more than 24 yards per catch. He led the Mustangs with seven receiving touchdowns. Mounds View coach Jim Galvin said Janes was a difference maker for the Mustangs offense. “His best attribute is his ability to change the game anytime the ball is thrown to him,” Galvin said via email. "He takes short passes and turns them into long ones.” Janes said being undersized for a tight end forced him to work on different aspects of his game like route running and blocking techniques, knowing his height was uncontrollable. Janes was officially listed at 6-foot-3 last season, but he said he’s an inch or two shorter. Galvin said Janes, who will be one of the Mustangs’ captains next season, also improved his size and strength the past couple years. He’s bulked up more than 25 pounds and has posted a power clean of 325 pounds. “In my opinion, he was the best tight end I saw this year,” Galvin said. “Expectations [for 2017] are to keep getting better and help his teammates with football games.” Janes’ recruiting interest has been steady this offseason. He said he’s been hearing from Football Championship Subdivision schools in the Missouri Valley Conference. He’s already visited two of them -- North Dakota State and Western Illinois – and also took outings at Iowa and Minnesota this spring. “I grew up watching my uncle Dan Nystrom kick for the Gophers,” Janes said. “It has always been a dream of mine to play Big Ten football. Whether or not that becomes a reality I believe is completely up to myself.” Academically, Janes said he's interested in kinetics and has hopes of going into the field of athletic training or exercise science. Being a strength and conditioning coach for a high-level college, Janes said, would be “awesome”. Janes doesn’t have a scholarship offer yet, but he said it’s not a big concern. He’s confident the strides he’s made since last season will show up in summer camps and into his senior season. He said his main priority is finding a program with players and coaches who share the same passion for football. “I can't just be focused on all the material things that a school can give me, I need to really know that I will be at home for 4-5 years with players and coaches that are good people,” Janes said.