Recruiting Report: Trace Hochsprung (Lakeville North-2021)
The Lakeville North Panthers hold the state of Minnesota’s crown atop their program’s head when it comes to the Metro’s – and in my mind the entire state’s – most consistent and best pass-rushers over the past decade. Dating all…
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Continue ReadingThe Lakeville North Panthers hold the state of Minnesota’s crown atop their program’s head when it comes to the Metro’s – and in my mind the entire state’s – most consistent and best pass-rushers over the past decade. Dating all the way back to Karl Finkel (UMD), Greg Menard (NDSU), and Alex Wood (UMD), the Panthers group of elite defensive lineman grew to include Carl Engwall (UND), Jackson Dunnell, (UST/U of Minnesota), Will & (NDSU), and this past fall’s newest stud: All-State/All-Metro, and recent UMD signee . It’s an illustrious group, and each year the Panthers somehow find a way to reload, and have another stud DE waiting to fill the shoes of the baller before him. The next in line to continue this great pass rushing tradition may have revealed themselves this offseason, as the 6’0, 230 lb. Trace Hochsprung has the physical tools and the attitude to dominant an opposing Oline like many of his predecessors before him. I was able to see big #90 play in the 6A state semi’s against Champlin Park in U.S. Bank Stadium, and the Junior impressed me to the point of making a note to check his film and get in contact later. The 2021 grad was kind enough to give Northstar Football News some of his time to talk about his Panther career thus far, the ‘19 season in-depth, and who has contacted him this offseason. I hope you enjoy, and thank you for reading! Junior Season
Big #90NFN: Hello and thank you for your time, Trace! Please begin by introducing yourself and telling us when you began playing football, and what you love about the game.
Hochsprung: “My name is Trace Hochsprung and im from Lakeville, Minnesota. I started playing ball like near everyone else and it all started with flag football but when we got into third grade that’s when I fell in love with the game. Having the pads on the shoulders was just amazing because you realize that when the game gets real, you’re not pulling flags anymore and you need to tackle them and hit them. I mean, who deoesnt want to hit someone with out getting in trouble.”
NFN: True. What are some fun facts about you? And what do you love about football?
Hochsprung: “Some fun facts about me are that I love to get my hands dirty, and love to be outside. I like to fish and and cath bass because they love to fight, and I also like to hunt for duck and geese. What I love about the game of football is that it is a real team game and not one preson can do the whole job. I love the bond that you make with all your teammates, and you know that they will have your back on and off the field. You make more of a bond with your teammates in summer workouts becase you get pushed to your limits. Also, again you get to tackle people without getting in some real trouble for it.”
#90 with his fans.NFN: What was it like to be apart of that 2018 undefeated state championship season as a sophomore? What were some things you learned from that year? And what do you like about the Lakeville North program?
Hochsprung: “In 2018 I had the great chance of being able to be apart of a great undefeated state champion team. Our team was unreal, we had a huge offensive line and a great dline. Our biggest games were against Eden Prairie, as we hadn’t beat them in a couple years and when we did in the regular season we knew we really did have a shot to win it all. And when we played them for the state title, everyone from both teams really balled out, and it was a great, fingernail biting game that was really close. I learned what Lakeville North really is and that we are a winning culture. During that season practice energy was high, and same with the locker room. I also learened how to be humble and stay humble because we stayed humble the whole time. What I like about the LN program is that I love what our coaches have to bring to the table. And that if they don’t think you are playing in the right spot where you will be successful they will try moving you around to find where you fit in and be great.”
#90 with the pass rush.NFN: Forsure! Now get into 2019. How was your season personally? Get into as much detail as you want.
Hochsprung: “For the 2019 season we knew what we had to do from the start after what we had done in 2018. Our goal was to win it all, and unfortunately we fell short. But in the end we were proud of our team after all the great payers we lost after the 2018 season. The 2019 offseason was bumpy for me, as I got sick for a month and was not able to practice with the team, which I hated. But when I was able to come back I was working out and practicing with the team right away. I really worked on my hands that offseason because that was my rough spot. My first 8 regular season games were great, but I only payed in 7/8 of the games. I had my first sack at the varsty level against Eagan. And playing against Eagan I had my best game with 1 sack and 5 tackles. For the rest of the season I played great, racking up more tackles and being surround by some great players and also playing against some really good players. Our section game was vs White Bear Lake was also the coolest looking game I have ever played in because it was snowing. And when we went where walking out to the field everybody on the team went crazy because the field was covered in snow and it was just a super cool game to play in, I also had 2 tackles, but for my biggest game of the whole season was in the semifinal against Champlin Park where we fell short. It was super cool to go under the stadium and see a little behind the scenes of the Bank, and also see the Vikings locker room. In that game I was not gonna play due to our game plan we had that week, but it all changed in the first quarter when my teammate got hurt. I stepped up and really capitalized on the opportunity to play on the turf of the bank the rest of the game. I had 3 tackles and played my butt off because I didn’t want my season to end there that game but sadly things did not go as planned and it ended. But again in the end I was proud of the team and what we had done that season after 2018.”
#90NFN: You balled out that game, it was fun to watch. Last but not least, what’s up with recruiting? Who has been in contact? Any junior day invites? Also, are you planning on attending any camps? Lastly, what do you think you bring to a college program?
Hochsprung: “I just wanna play ball in college. My recruiting process is open to all colleges who want a hard working leader on their team like me. I also believe I can help the team out a lot both on and off the field. And something I do well is my great pass rush, I’m very fast with my feet and versatile and have a great tackle game to get to the ball carrier. Some college teams I’m interested in is the University of Minnesota, Wisconsin and NDSU. I’m also interested in St. Thomas, Mankato State, SMSU, Concordia St. Paul, Bethel, Bemdji State, JMU, and Ferris State due to the great teams they have had there. I have been in contact with the coaches from Bethel, CSP, SMSU, Ferris State, and Northwestern (NAIA). I have currently have 4 junior day vista planned to Bethel, Concordia St. Paul, SMSU, and Bemidji State, and I plan to unofficaily visit NDSU. This summer I plan on hitting lots of camps like NDSU, Mankato, and the University of Minnesota. In a college I’m looking for a great program with amazing facilities, and great coaches and players to work with, and that are close to home for the family to come watch on game days.”
2020 is going to be a big year for #90, and this won’t be the last you hear of him.