Recruiting Report: Gavin Wysong (2021)

With contact with college coaches at a minimum, recruiting has – like life – changed this season. To keep in touch with college coaches, Hills-Beaver Creek junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18047" first="Gavin" last="Wysong"]</strong> is showing coaches what he has been up to – virtually. The Patriots’ offense keyed a seven-win regular season. "We had a really good season last year," Wysong said. "We had a lot of weapons on offense. Our defense was quick and shifty. We were versatile – being able to throw and run the ball." Their offense – which never scored less than 40 points in their victories - carried them to the section finals. "On offense, our strength was running the ball," Wysong explained. "To open up the run game, we were able to throw the ball a bit to <strong>Jax (Wysong)</strong>. On defense, we were able to pack the box and stop the run well." A two-way player, Wysong is a dual-threat behind center. "I had a good season," Wysong said. "I was able to stay injury-free, so that was nice. It was nice having Jax out there to throw the ball too. He picked up a lot of yards for me. Running, I was able to get in open space with my shiftiness. On defense, I can read the offense before the ball is snapped. I do a lot of film work – studying what the other team is going to do." As an outside linebacker, Wysong would play both strong and weak-side linebacker. Playing quarterback helped his skills on defense. "Playing quarterback, you have to read the defense, so it helped me on defense knowing what they were going to do and reading their motions and what I would do as a quarterback." Wysong is a three-year starter on offense. As a freshman, he started and running back and wide receiver, and is a two-year starter on defense. "I switched to quarterback my sophomore year," the Patriots’ junior said. "The team needed me at quarterback, and that was where I could help the team the most. It was a hard transition because I was used to playing running back, but, overall, it worked out." Although quickness and agility are what Wysong feels are his strengths, he is focused on his pocket skills. "I have been working on being able to throw in the pocket – keeping my feet balanced and ready to throw when I need to. Defensively, I need to work on my first step – being quicker with my first step." Wysong is a quarterback of sorts during the winter season too. "This winter I played basketball," the 180 5’9" athlete said. "I was a point guard. I was mostly a defender and a distributor. I would have run springs in track in the spring." Wysong is working on being more explosive. "I set up a weight room in my basement to keep my strength up and to become more explosive. I am able to on the football field to work on my speed and footwork." He has shown colleges that work. "I have been able to set up Zoom calls with coaches, and talking to them over the phone has been helpful," Wysong – who enjoys fishing, hunting, and training his hunting dogs - said. "I have been sending them videos of what I have been doing. They have been able to give me some tips and suggestions based on what they are thinking." Many schools have liked what they have seen. "I have offers from Mayville State, UW-River Falls, and Trine University. South Dakota State, Bemidji State, Sioux Falls, Minnesota-Duluth, Mankato State, Morningside College, Jamestown College, North Dakota, Southwest Minnesota State, Minot State, Concordia-Moorhead, St. Olaf, Hamline, Augustana and Cornell have been contacting me." Wysong thinks he will have to learn a new position in college. "I am being recruited for both offense and defense – basically as an athlete," Wysong told northstarfootballnews.com. "I don’t think I am being recruited as a quarterback. Defensively, I think I am being recruited as a safety or corner. They say they like my grades and that I am an all-around athlete. My strength and speed are big things they say." And because of Wysong’s contact with them - things they can see too.