Recruiting Report: Peter Ladu (Rochester John Marshall-2022)

One of the cooler and more underrated aspects of writing for Northstar Football News is uncovering, tracking, and hyping up the younger upcoming prep recruits the state of Minnesota has to offer. Getting ahead on the recruiting trail of a future potential highly rated recruit and helping to disperse their film and get their name out there as a underclassmen is a very cooling feeling as a writer in my position. I also can’t help but think a good one has been found with this newest recruit for this report: Rochester John Marshall 2022 grad Peter Ladu. The 6’0, 165 lb. sophomore is about to enter his third year of high school and is poised to make some waves coming up in Minnesota after playing JV football for JM in 2019 and having a statistically impressive year. Ladu has the measurables and attitude of a future scholarship athlete, and I’m very fortunate to be one of the first writers he contacted. Check out this first-look, exclusive interview with the 2022 grad as we discuss his football career thus far, playing football for Rochester John Marshall, and some of his hopes for recruiting. Hope you enjoy! Sophomore Season Hudl

NFN: Hello and thank you for your time, Peter! Start by telling us a little bit about yourself, when you began playing football, and some stats/info about yourself.

Ladu: “I am from Rochester, MN and I started playing since 4th grade. I basically like the atmosphere and the fun of football all together. I am 6’0 165lbs. I haven’t ran my 40 yet. My bench press is 180lbs and my squat is 250+. Last year I had like 23+ catches for around 500 yds.”

NFN: How did Rochester John Marshall fare during the 2018 season and how did you guys improve in 2019? How was your season personally?

Ladu: “JM had a pretty decent year compared to the recent seasons. We were like 2-7 the years before and yes it was bad. Last season we went 4-6, not great but still improving. Last year though, I think that we had a strong group of linemen up front and we had a pretty good rushing attack. We definitely have to improve our passing game for the next season due to some of our key seniors leaving. I think that personally I had a super good season even though I was mainly JV and it was really easy for me to be honest.”

NFN: What should we expect from you guys in 2020, what is it like playing for RJM, and if you could please walk us through the 2019 regular season that’d be great.

Ladu: “In 2020 I honestly want for our team to play at the Vikings stadium at least once. I think we could definitely do that after building off of our offseason, team bonding, etc… We are getting back into the weight room after break and hopefully there’s a lot of guys that’s show up and work up to the season. I personally am working on everything but I am focusing even more on my speed and quickness. I am going to also do track to improve in that. I think that playing at JM is really fun, although we really don’t have much exposure so that’s kind of the down about playing at JM. Our first 3 games went out really slow, but then we picked up the pace and started to play really well throughout the rest of our games. Owatonna and Mankato-West were the best teams in our schedule and they did destroy us around like 40pts. But like I said, we’re going to have to go at it in the weight room because the offseason makes your season.” 

NFN: Awesome. So what’s been new with recruiting? Who are you interested in and whose been contacting you?

Ladu: “At this point I am interested in any D1 schools in the Midwest like UNI, MN , Iowa state, Iowa, etc…I definitely think I have the size to play D1 and I am expecting to grow some more. The skill level is also D1 worthy as a sophomore. I am definitely open to D2 schools as well. I haven’t really been contacted by any schools and no I haven’t been to any camps yet but this upcoming summer I am looking to do 4 -5 college camps, and also USA’s regional camp. Like I said there’s not much exposure at JM but I am definitely going to do everything possible to get my offers soon. All I’m looking for right now in a college is for them to offer but if I have to break down with the colleges In the future I am going to go by the connection and love they show, and like roster, place, coaches, etc… But yes hopefully I can get my name on the radar soon and will work until I do.”

Keep an eye out for the Southern Minnesota speedster in 2020, folks!