D1 Recruiting Report: Alec Rasmussen (Wayzata-2021)

One of the best positional units in all of Minnesota high school football last season was the Wayzata Trojan offensive line. The moving-crew truly paved the way for the run-first and eventually undefeated 6A state champions, and capped off their dominance by helping Mankato St. RB commit [player_tooltip player_id="11010" first="Christian" last="Vasser"] rush an absurd 49 times for 285 yards and 5 TDs in the state championship game against Champlin Park at U.S. Bank Stadium. Despite graduating OL stalwarts like [player_tooltip player_id="11000" first="Jac" last="Carver"] (6’6, 300 - committed to Concordia St. Paul) and Jonas Waskosky (6’0, 250 - uncommitted), it seems that the Trojans best offensive lineman have yet to see their heyday. Case in point: [player_tooltip player_id="18077" first="Alec" last="Rasmussen"]. The 6’6, 260 lb. mauler worked his tail off to grind through a broken arm and a concussion in 2019 to get himself off of the JV squad and into the starting varsity lineup on one of the best OL’s in the state just in time for the Trojans playoff run, and found himself playing just about every snap in the 2019 6A state championship game. That is not easy to do, and when you watch Rasmussen’s film it is easy to see how the Trojan coaches just couldn’t say no to putting him in the lineup, as seeing pancake after pancake had me hungry for a nice, filling Perkins breakfast. Seriously though, #72 has the strength, feet, and nastiness to be a dominant Division I offensive lineman, and I’m not the only one who thinks so, as during the process of Northstar Football News’ interview with the junior he received his first offer from Division I Illinois State University. The Redbirds made a smart choice in offering Rasmussen early, and the scholarship offer will no doubt be the first of many, so NFN is psyched to be able to bring to you some early, detailed insight into the Plymouth native’s feelings about his first offer, what other schools are in contact, expectations for 2020 after the Trojans ’19 championship run, and more. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9460887/5e39caf7041f450abca7389b">Junior Year Highlights</a> [caption id="attachment_18867" align="aligncenter" width="346"] #72[/caption] NFN: Hello and thank you for your time, Alec. Please begin by telling me a little bit about yourself, when you began playing football and what you love about the game, and some fun facts about yourself. Please also give us your measurables! Rasmussen: "I was born and raised in Plymouth, Minnesota. I started playing Wayzata youth football during fourth grade, so I have been with the program since the beginning. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and just being active in general. Family is very important to me and being able to spend time with them and have them support me is a blessing. When it comes to football I don’t know what there’s not to like. I think a big thing for me is the ability to go out and hit someone every play. That’s what led me to being a linemen. Going head to head against one person the whole game, the competition, just one on one every play to see who is best. Also, football is a great way for me to stay active and build some lifelong friendships over the course of a season. Height: 6’6’ Weight: 260 40 Time: 5.20 Bench: 250 Squat: 325." NFN: It has been an incredible year for you and the Wayzata Trojans. First begin by just telling us what it means for you to be a Trojan, and what your career has been like at Wayzata. Rasmussen: "It’s quite hard to describe the feeling I get every time I run out onto the field with a Wayzata jersey over my pads. I think the biggest thing I feel is the pride I get from being a part of such a great team and program. We work really hard during the season and offseason, and when we get to go out on Friday nights and show what we’ve got, I just feel proud of our team. Whether we win or lose, I know everyone is giving their best. Just the way everyone has bonded and become more than individual players, and become a team. I’ve felt this way about Wayzata ever since youth." NFN: Walk us through some of differences the program has seen since you were a freshman to now rising senior. What difference can you credit with having the biggest impact on the Trojans success this year? Rasmussen: "Some big changes I’ve seen from freshman year until now is that there is a lot more focus on being a family and not separated as freshman, sophomore, etc. The idea that everyone has equal importance to the team. Also, there’s more enjoyment and fun during practice, working hard toward a goal of being our best, which I think has made a huge difference in people and how they play. The culture of the team has improved from my freshman year, as players have put more of an effort into knowing each other and becoming closer on and off the field. I think the biggest change was the bond, the brotherhood, among all the players this past year." [caption id="attachment_18866" align="aligncenter" width="359"] #72 (closest to screen) with the state championship block.[/caption] NFN: How was the 2018 season for you as well as Wayzata? What were some big games, low moments, and how did you build off 2018 to succeed in 2019? Rasmussen: "The 2018 season was my sophomore season. I played sophomore the whole year but I also started on JV for the last half of the season and got some reps in the playoff game on Varsity. It was a very fun year overall for me, even though we didn’t get the outcome we wanted. I think there were a lot of learning moments from the 2018 season. Most of the games Wayzata lost were within just a couple of points and the 2019 team learned from that by working all offseason with a focus on finishing. No matter if it was in the weight room or on the field, we had to finish." NFN: How was are offseasons at Wayzata? And how was it playing offense with studs like Vasser, Wildermuth, and Schmidt? What have they taught you about the game that you can use next season? Rasmussen: "The off-season at Wayzata is where the players make their biggest improvements for their upcoming season. We work hard everyday in the weight room and on the field in the summers. This past year was a perfect show of how much more physically dominant our team was over others. It was amazing to be able to play with guys like Schmidt, Vasser, and Wildermuth because they’re great players, but even better teammates. Although they’re the ones in the spotlight, they never forget to thank the o-line and the rest of the team for all their success. Their ability to stay level and be humble this past season really helped to keep the team steady as we approached the state championship." NFN: Elaborate on the state playoffs and especially the championship game! What were some big plays and moments, and how was your performance? Rasmussen: "The state playoffs seemed surreal when I look back upon it. When we first ran out onto US Bank Stadium field against Lakeville South in the semi finals it was unreal. The atmosphere was awesome. Thousands of people there to watch the game. I played my best two games ever in the semi finals and finals. After starting the season with a couple of injuries, concussion and broken arm, I played a lot on JV and worked into Varsity. I played most during the postseason and did not let it go to waste. I ended up playing almost every snap in the state championship." NFN: Now that you will be a senior, how do you feel to be a leader on the team? What are expectations like and do you feel any pressure from the results of this year? Rasmussen: "It’s really special to see the younger guys looking up to us now as soon to be seniors, as we head into our final year as Trojans. Although senior year is the year we lead everyone out of the tunnel, I feel I have been leading the incoming juniors this whole past year as many played JV and stuck around for postseason. Expectations are high after such a great season this past year. I do feel some pressure being a senior the year after we won the state championship. Our culture, hard work and attitude will keep us focused on what we need to do as a team to be champions. Now all we need to do is follow it." NFN: How does it feel to get that first scholarship offer? And what are some other teams you’re interested in/in contact with? Rasmussen: "It feels unreal, and like a dream but incredibly blessed to have the opportunity! Regarding colleges, I don’t have any front runners for which college or colleges I’m interested in attending. I want to focus on my education and degree and I’d love to play football in college if I can. I have been invited to some schools for Junior Day; UND, SDSU, St Thomas, U of M Mankato, Winona State, U of M Moorhead, UW Eauclaire, Bemidji State and Northern State, and I plan on visiting this spring and summer if I can, depending on what happens due to Corona Virus." NFN: Last but not least, what do you think you can bring to a college program? What do you do well as a football player? Rasmussen: "I feel I have a lot that I can bring to a college program. I’m all for the team and the bonds that are created between the players. I’ve always been coached to bring effort and attitude, and I enjoy getting after it and pushing myself to compete with the best of the best. I think something that sets me apart is how quick I can move for my size and the speed of my feet. I’m always willing to get better and can take coaching to heart as I know it will make me a better player." Stay tuned for more news on Rasmussen, as his name will become more much known as the offers begin rolling in!