Recruiting Report: Cade Plath (2019)

<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>(Cover Photo: Eric Kraushar/Chanhassen Villager)</em></span></p> <strong>Cade Plath</strong> gets the opportunity to invite students to an event over the loud speaker each week at Chanhassen High School<b>.</b> One would think it was a football or baseball game since Plath competes in both sports for the Storm. It’s not. The Chanhassen junior is promoting the guest speaker at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting. “Cade wants to make the world a better place for others,” said Chanhassen coach <strong>Mike Bailey</strong> via email, “and the FCA is just one of the many things he’s passionate about off the football field.” Plath is involved with numerous school-affiliated activities at Chanhassen, including two choirs and a Geocaching club. He also takes multiple AP classes and has a GPA around 3.95 as his junior year concludes. “I don’t know how Cade stays up on everything,” Bailey said. Plath is active with his church, as well, doing anything from volunteering to bible studies to singing in the church’s band. He said he hopes to attend a college where he can continue to be active with his faith. Plath’s passion shows up on the gridiron too. After starting at tight end as a sophomore, he moved to his natural position of middle linebacker in 2017. He promptly averaged more than 10 tackles per game and was named All-Suburban District, doing so while trying to recover from mononucleosis last summer. “I wasn’t able to put on the muscle that I was hoping to,” said Plath via email. “I was around 190-195 pounds, which was not ideal … I’m 210-215 now and I feel a lot more athletic and stable.” Plath added that he’s optimistic about having an even better season since he’s fully healthy – a scary proposition to opposing offenses after only one was able to score more than 14 points against Plath and the Storm defense last fall. “He simply finds the ball quicker than most,” Bailey said. “It will look like we send him on blitzes, but in reality, he just deciphers information quickly from his head to his feet.” His character, physical attributes and instincts have multiple Football Championship and Football Bowl Subdivision schools interested. Plath has taken multiple junior- and game-day visits and said he’s planning to attend the Minnesota and SDSU camps this summer. Although he’s still without an offer, <span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #800000;"><strong><a style="color: #800000; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://www.northstarfootballnews.com/minnesota/rankings/prospect-rankings/2019-rankings/">NFN's No. 79 prospect in the Class of 2019</a></strong></span> said he’s been communicating the most with South Dakota State, North Dakota State and Wyoming. “I’m looking for a school that will challenge me both academically and athletically. I am unsure what I want to study, but I think I am leaning toward the math/science route,” said Plath, who also mentioned a passionate fan base as a priority for his college football destination. Wherever that destination is, Bailey said, will benefit from having Plath on campus. “I don’t know how else to say it, Cade is the kind of kid you would trust to watch your house and kids while you are out of town,” Bailey said. “He has a lot of similar characteristics as our former lineman and Detroit Lions first-round pick <strong>Frank Ragnow</strong>. They are both weight room fanatics, great people, good students, and are always looking to help the lives of those around them.” <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8075704/5a04f845a0232522d418ff1c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>