Commitment Report: Brandon Frankfurth (2018)

The Anoka Tornadoes’ football program has struggled with wins and losses the last handful of seasons. 2017 was no exception. In a season that would go without a win, there were still bright spots. The seniors set a tone that may have the potential to start the program towards future success. On the field, senior offensive lineman Brandon Frankfurth was one of the best big men in the state.

“Obviously we struggled this year,” Frankfurth said. “We had trouble putting the ball in the end zone, but we came back every week looking for a win. I was proud of the guys for that. It sucks going 0-9, but there were some good things about the season.”

Although they were not victors on the field, Frankfurth feels this season set the tone for the future.

“We fought for every point. We wanted to leave a legacy. We wanted to help turn things around. We felt we did that because we constantly worked hard every day. Our record didn’t show we were turning things around, but from an attitude standpoint we feel like we left a good legacy for next year.”

Frankfurth was in the middle of that legacy change. His selflessness, combined with a play to the whistle attitude helped set the tone for the Tornadoes.

“I move around a little bit. The coaches were trying to find something that worked,” Frankfurth said. “I played center for a game. I played right guard for a couple of games, and I played right tackle most games. I played center as a sophomore and junior. It was different not being (at center). I feel like (moving around) helped me out because now I am more comfortable playing different positions and it is better to be versatile than be a one trick pony.”

“My strength is finishing every play,” Frankfurth continued. “I go until the whistle blows. Once I lock onto a guy, I stay on him. If you don’t finish the play, they can make a play even if you block them well at the start. I try to stay with them the entire play and try to drive them into the ground.”

The transition from center to tackle was an adjustment for the senior.

“At center, you are usually going against the bigger, kids that don’t move as quickly,” the avid walleye and bass fisherman said. “It is more of a strength thing. Then when you are playing tackle, you are going against quick guys on the outside. You have to be on your toes and be more agile.”

Frankfurth recently committed to Bemidji State. He knows he will need to continue to improve.

“This year I put a focus on – and I still need to get better at it – my hand positioning. Sometimes I get a little wide, or I don’t hit my spots. Bad hand placement can sometimes work in high school, but it is not going to work in college. It is something I have been working on, and I still want to get it where I want to be.”

He has had plenty of time to work on his hand positioning this winter – just not on the football field. Frankfurth – who placed second at the state wrestling tournament as a junior – has only one loss (as of this story) this season in the 285-pound weight class. His team is ranked second in the state in Class AAA, and Frankfurth is also ranked 2nd in his weight class.

The three-sport athlete – Frankfurth throws for the track team – had some interest from colleges on the mat, but his heart has always been on the football field.

“I had some interest from schools (for wrestling), but football has always been my passion. That is what I want to do in college.

Along with Bemidji State, Frankfurth was considering Sioux Falls, Minot State, and Crookston.

“When I went on my official to Bemidji they were my top choice going into it,” NFN’s 68th ranked senior said. “I liked the team when I was able to hang out with them. I liked the coaches and the campus. The lake is right there, and I love fishing – it just felt right to me.”

The coaching staff sees Frankfurth as a guard or center and would prefer he redshirt, but at the same time, the senior has been told by the coaches the best eleven will play. The coaches like what they see in their soon to be freshman lineman.

“They say they like how I fight every play, how I finish my blocks and I didn’t give up on a play,” the future Beaver told NFN. “I come off the ball hard, I drive guys through the whistle and am a hard-nosed football player.”

It takes a hard-nosed football player to play three different positions at a high level even when falling short on the scoreboard. Frankfurth’s hard-nosed play has allowed him to continue playing the sport he loves beyond high school and has a chance to become a bright spot in a second football program.