Recruiting Report: Daniel Erlandson (Breckenridge-2021)
Dare I say it, but I believe this edition of Northstar Football New’s “Recruiting Report” features the best fullback in the state of Minnesota. Unfortunately, NFN is a little behind in our tracking of the fullback position in MN, but that is going to…
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Continue ReadingDare I say it, but I believe this edition of Northstar Football New’s “Recruiting Report” features the best fullback in the state of Minnesota. Unfortunately, NFN is a little behind in our tracking of the fullback position in MN, but that is going to change soon, and heading that list for the c/o 2021 will be Breckenridge Cowboy thumper Daniel Erlandson Daniel Erlandson ATH Breckenridge | 2021 State MN . As we can count ourselves as “scouts” with our work for NFN, I think it may be worth mentioning that Erlandson has some of the biggest and most important traits I look for in a potential recruit, and especially a fullback/linebacker, as the 6’0, 210 lber. is a big, strong kid with a great frame for contact and a ton of room to grow/put on weight, is a versatile football player as he is a tenacious blocker & tackler, has the speed and athleticism to get to the edge, run you over, run around you, and even has one of my favorite traits – as he is a distinguished wrestler for the Cowboys that is a 2x state place winner on the mat. These wrestling accomplishments helps Erlandson understand leverage, hip use, and hand placement, and it directly translates to gridiron success. With a prosperous 2019 season that includes impressive statistics on both sides of the ball, and a ton of potential to offer to college teams, NFN is excited to present to you this “Recruiting Report” where we caught up with the ’21 grad to talk about his 2019 season, wrestling & how it fits into his football career, recruitment, and more. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy! Junior Highlights 2019
Toting that rock.NFN: Hello and thank you for your time, Daniel. Please begin by telling our readers a little bit about yourself the you began playing football and what you love about the game, and your measurables and stats from 2019.
Erlandson: “I’m from Breckenridge, MN. and I started playing tackle football in 3rd grade. I was always too heavy to carry the ball so I played on the offensive line until I was in 7th grade. That’s when I was able to move to fullback and I have played there ever since. I have been lucky enough to have my dad as a running back coach and I learned a lot from him. I am active in school. I’m captain of the knowledge bowl and mathletes teams. I take part in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) activities. I really love history and math in school. I have a 3.95 GPA. This spring I received the ExCEL Award (Excellence in Community, Education, and Leadership) from the Minnesota High School League. The award recognizes 36 juniors throughout the state based on academics, athletics and leadership.Stats: I’m 6’0” 210, my bench is 275, my squat is 415, and my deadlift is 475. I had 631 yards in my junior year on 96 carries. I realize that fullback is not a glory position where you get to touch the ball a lot but, it is hard to describe the satisfaction that comes with running through the hole and taking the LB on one on one and watching the running back score a touchdown . I had 24 solo tackles and 34 assisting tackles on defense with 3.5 sacks. I played mostly play D-line but I also played some linebacker last year. I love football because of the team aspect, smashing pads.”
#8 leading the way.NFN: You’re an accomplishment wrestler on the mat for the Cowboys..tell us a little bit about that and how it helps and affects your play on the gridiron. What do you love about wrestling as well?
Erlandson: “I wrestle in the winter. It is a tough sport and it helps me take ownership of my performance. There is no one else to blame if you lose. As a sophomore I placed 6th at 195 lbs and this past winter I placed 4th at 220 pounds in the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament. Wrestling teaches me the value of hard work and I feel like wrestling has helped me with my leverage, quickness, power and balance for football. The blast double leg is my favorite move in wrestling. It is basically a football tackle where you lower your level and drive right through your opponent. It is all about position, and keeping low.”
NFN: What else do you do in the offseason to improve your game? What other sports do you like playing?
Erlandson: “In the spring and summer I run track and play baseball. In track I mostly run in the 100, 200, and 400 meter relays. My sophomore year I received the award for most valuable relay member. I started playing baseball in cal ripken league and our team took 3rd place in the midwest plains regional tournament. Last summer I played outfield and 3rd base on the legion jv team.”
NFN: What’s up with recruiting? What are you looking for in a college, what position can you see yourself playing in college and who has been in contact? What can you add to a college program?
Erlandson: “I would like to attend a college in the Upper Midwest but am not set on that. I’m really looking to major in business or engineering or something along those lines. I’m really just beginning my college search and there’s so many great options here in the Midwest. I would love to play college football for a team that values hard work and character. In college I can picture myself as an inside linebacker or as a fullback or h-back. But no matter where I play my goal is to be the hardest worker on the field. My older brothers played college football, one played running back for Northern State and one played fullback at Carleton College. I’m excited for the challenge of learning to play at the next level.”
Whether it’s on the gridiron or the wrestling mat, this won’t be the last you hear of Daniel Erlandson Daniel Erlandson ATH Breckenridge | 2021 State MN and the Breckenridge Cowboys, and I’m excited to see which college’s are smart enough to see the potential in #8 that NFN see. Thank you for reading and go Cowboys.