Commitment Report: Cody Lindenberg (2020)

Anoka's <strong>Cody Lindenberg</strong> knew what he wanted to do with his football career long before he received his first offer. When his dream school made him an offer, he didn't need to wait around for more offers or other opportunities. He pulled the trigger quickly and committed to the Minnesota Gophers. "I have been going to Gophers' games since I was a kid," Lindenberg said. "I have a picture with Goldy and me from when I was seven or eight years old and I have always had fun going to games and watching the team on television. When (Gophers' head coach) PJ Fleck got there I liked his energy." Once Lindenberg got some exposure – recruiting picked up. "The recruiting process went by fast," Lindenberg explained. "I didn't get many looks until I went to the Nike Opening. I only had two offers. After the Opening, my recruiting kind of blew up. Schools started talking to me, and things started happening fast. Once the Gophers came – that has always been my dream school. Once they offered me, I didn't need to see anything else." Lindenberg wasn't the only one who liked what he saw. "The (Gophers' coaches) like my frame and they think I can grow in the weight room," northstarfootballnews.com's 17th ranked senior said. "They like my agility and like linebackers that can move – they aren't looking for old school linebackers. I think I can squeeze down fast and take on blocks so the o-line's blocks can't develop as much." Lindenberg might not be playing linebacker until he gets to college. He has been playing slot receiver this season and very little defense. "I think I have good size for a high school receiver," the 6'3" 215-pound senior said. "My ability to create space helps me a lot. So far, I have caught every ball I have had a chance on. I think I have good hands. We are going to look into me getting more snaps on defense, but I am not sure what is going to happen." The Tornados are off to a slow start this season, but Lindenberg thinks when the offense gets on track, they will be tough to stop. "We are a spread offense, so our receivers are going to be a big part of the offense. Our running back showed if he gets the ball, he can give us a lift. I think our defense is pretty balanced between the run and the pass." During the offseason – while football was always in the background, it was not Lindenberg's full-time focus. "I have been a three-sport athlete my whole life," Lindenberg – who likes to bass fish and pheasant hunt - said. "I am a forward in basketball and am a good defensive player, so I would usually guard one of the best players. In baseball, I play in the outfield and like to think I am pretty fast and like to track down balls in the outfield." When he could – and then during the summer - he worked with the football team and a trainer. "Most of my weightlifting is done with the football team. We would do bench, clean and squat and then do other lifts outside of those. My speed and agility training came from my trainer. We have been focused on my lateral movement and my hip flexibility so I can really open up and run. I also did some lifting with him too. I have put on about fifteen pounds this summer." Fifteen pounds that should help him during the rest of the high school season but should especially help him when he suits up for the Gophers.