Recruiting Report: Ethan Tedrow (2021)

The Coon Rapids Cardinals had their best season in years with a trip to the 2019 AAAA state semi-finals. One of the biggest reasons was the defense. In their eight wins, they gave up fourteen points or less – including three games in which the defense did not allow a point. A big cog in the Cardinals’ defense is linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18216" first="Ethan" last="Tedrow"]</strong>. "It was a great season," Tedrow said about their 8-4 year. "As a team, we had great team chemistry. We were all close. That was helpful because whenever we saw someone was down, we could pick each other back up and were able to go on to the next play. As a team, we did the little things – getting enough sleep, watching film. As a team, we were all there for each other." Defense and a balanced offensive attack fueled Coon Rapids’ season. "On defense, we had a good defensive line," Tedrow said. "They would plug up the gaps and take care of the run game. Our secondary was amazing. We had great pass coverage. On offense, we had a great dual-threat quarterback in <strong>Jake Van Hulzen</strong>." Going from three wins to eight wins, the team made significant strides from 2018 to 2019. So did Tedrow. "My sophomore year, I got a chance to play some varsity during the second half of the year. This year I was more comfortable. I started making some bigger plays, and I paid better attention to the little things." The junior settled into his primary position well. "For the most part, I would play the left outside linebacker in our base 3-4 defense," Tedrow explained. "I would play some strong-side, outside linebacker if we were playing against a bigger offense." "I am able to read the offense well – being right up on the tackle or tight end and reading their steps," Tedrow continued. "I think I am good in pass coverage and can handle some of the faster guys in pass coverage." After the season, Tedrow has been focusing on one specific part of his game. "I am working on my lateral quickness," the 6’3" 205-pound athlete said. "I want to be able to move across the field quicker. If there is a screen or a pitch, I want to be able to get out to the sidelines quicker. I am also working on my footwork and agility to be faster off the ball." Before things shut down, Tedrow was in the gym and on the field. "I was on a seven on seven team. I would practice with them, and then I would work with a trainer and did the football weight program too. With the school program, we would take one day a week to focus on agility, and then the other days, we would focus on squat, and one day we would focus on bench." Despite the shutdown, Tedrow has kept busy. "I have a bunch of dumbbells, so I use those, and I do a lot of bodyweight workouts. I look up different circuits I can do online – planks, pushups, sit-ups – things like that. I get outside about once a day to go for a bike ride or a run." So far, the recruiting process has been a positive experience. "I have enjoyed it," Tedrow – who enjoys fishing and pick-up basketball - said. "I don’t have any older siblings, so my family has never gone through this process. It has been fun learning everything. I have been learning a lot. I enjoy talking to the coaches." "Sioux Falls is the most interested in me," Tedrow explained. "After them, I would say Minot State and Minnesota State-Moorhead are the other two that are contacting me a lot. I have done virtual junior days with them, and I go on to their websites to see if they have any virtual student tours. They like how I can get off the ball. They like how I can see a play develop. They like my grades too." Tedrow hopes to have a larger role next season and is being looked at to play numerous positions in college. "Next year, I hope to play some tight end or receiver, so I have had a couple of coaches talk to me about offense. I am mainly being recruited as a linebacker with some schools looking at me as a defensive end."