Recruiting Report: Zach Ahrendt – Luverne (2021)
After two seasons of win a game lose a game, the Luverne Cardinals broke through with a six-win season. One player who was a part of all three teams is lineman Zach Ahrendt Zach Ahrendt OL Luverne | 2021 State…
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Continue ReadingAfter two seasons of win a game lose a game, the Luverne Cardinals broke through with a six-win season. One player who was a part of all three teams is lineman
Zach Ahrendt
Zach
Ahrendt
OL
Luverne | 2021
State
MN
. Already playing a significant role, the three-year starter took on a leadership role and is now getting ready for a senior football season – and beyond.
“We went into the season looking to do better than the 4-4 seasons we had the past two seasons,” Ahrendt said. “We came together as a team when we went to our team camp in the offseason. Once the season started, we had some rough patches, but got on a roll and won as a team.”
After a six-win regular season, the Cardinals played – and won – a home playoff game.
“We were strong in the running game,” Ahrendt said. “On defense, we were a good blitzing team. Our linebackers and defensive backs were good.”
Ahrendt rarely came off the field during his junior season.
“I played every single game and barely had any breaks. I doubled my tackles from my sophomore season. I became the leader on the offensive line and helped those guys push forward.”
To find Ahrendt on the field, just look for the ball.
“I played center and defensive tackle,” the Cardinals’ big man said. “As a center, I am good at picking up blitzes. I am a bigger guy, so I am able to handle the bigger guys on the inside. On defense, with my size, I can plug holes and stop the run game. It forced teams to run outside or throw the ball.”
At 6’3″ 280 pounds, Ahrendt has been a starter at defensive tackle since the beginning of his freshman year. He became a two-way starter by the fifth game. He started at right tackle, and before the second game of this sophomore season, the coaches switched him to center – where he has been ever since.
“The center (sophomore year) was our backup tight end,” Ahrendt explained. “Our starting tight end got hurt, so the center moved to tight end, and I moved to center. The game before our tight end got hurt, the coaches thought I might be more of a center in college, so they started having me practice at center. I had two days of practice at center before I played in a game.”
During the offseason, he has been working to improve his speed and agility.
“I focus on bench, clean and squat,” Ahrendt told prepredzone.com. “I usually do three sets of ten to just try to build up the strength and endurance in my muscles.”
This spring, the three-year starter was able to keep working out, first on his own, and then with help.
“I would have thrown shot put in the spring. I have some dumbbells at home, so I looked up some workouts online. In the past month and a half, I have been able to work out with a former Luverne player who has a better weight setup, so I have been working with him.”
Some Midwest colleges have begun to show interest.
“I started getting interest about a year ago. It has been cool,” Ahrendt said. “Concordia-Moorhead, Sioux Falls, Augustana, and Bemidji State are the schools that have been in contact with me.”
“They like my size,” Ahrendt continued, “and like that I can not only protect, but I can also move people off the ball.”
He is not sure which side of the ball he will be playing on in college, but he will spend another season rarely coming off the field for one more year.