Recruiting Report: Patrick Doran (2020)

2018 was an uncharacteristically poor season for the Totino-Grace Eagles. They ended the season at 2-7 – their worst record in years. Although 2019 didn't end the way <strong>Patrick Doran</strong> or the rest of the Eagles wanted, the program bounced back in a big way. One of the reasons for the improvement was the versatility of their senior two-way player. "The team was really committed this year," Doran said. "It didn't end the way we wanted losing to Shakopee, but we were happy with how we turned it around from last year. Going from an eight seed to a one seed was great for us." Since I have been watching the Eagles, they are most successful when they run the ball and stop the run. They got back to that this year. "Defensively, I thought we did a great job stopping the run," Doran said. "We only had one game where we allowed a runner over 100 yards. We only gave up about 13 points per game. Offensively, we had a lot of young running backs step up this year." Doran felt he had his best season in a TG uniform. "I thought I had a good year. I had a great year in the weight room last year, and I think it showed this year. I ended up leading the team in tackles. I grew a lot as a leader during the year." Doran went into two-a-days, thinking he knew what his role was going to be. That role changed right before the regular season started. "I was going to play some running back, but in a scrimmage right before the first game, our fullback got injured, so I moved to fullback for the year. I played running back on some of our goal-line packages." The senior had no delusions of how he was going to help the offense. "I think I am best at grinding out yards. I am not a big home run hitter," Doran admitted. "I do my job and pick up first downs." His role on the defensive side of the ball changed from game to game. "This year I was all over," Doran – who likes to fish - explained. "Most games I was the strong side inside linebacker in our base 3-4 defense. Against heavy teams that like to run the ball, I played weak-side inside linebacker. I played a little bit of outside linebacker in our nickel defense." "I am a sideline to sideline linebacker," Doran continued. "I am not the biggest, but I think I did a good job finding gaps and filling them. I had a good nose for the ball this year." Doran is a three-year starter – two years at outside linebacker this year at inside linebacker. "Inside linebacker is much more physical," the 6'1" 195-pound senior said. "You have to be mentally tough. You get a lot more action and more tackles inside. I enjoyed that a lot – running at guards or fullbacks and taking them on – I enjoyed the physicality of it." Doran – northstarfootballnews.com's 121st ranked senior – is a two-sport athlete. "In the winter, I will be lifting with the football team, and this spring I will be playing baseball. I have always played center field. I do a good job running down balls in the outfield and steal a lot of bases on offense." Baseball is in his near future, but football will be his college future. "I have visited a lot of schools for junior days," Doran said. "Bemidji State, St. Cloud State, Moorhead State, Drake, and Concordia-St. Paul. I have been talking to St. Thomas and St. Johns. I have one offer from Minnesota-Crookston." After helping turn the Eagles around, Doran is sure to be a good fit for whatever school he attends.