Recruiting Spotlight: Ian Wilsey – Mahtomedi (2021)

The Mahtomedi Zephyrs didn’t have the regular season they wanted. However, after losing five of their last six regular-season games, something clicked, and they got hot in the playoffs. Although he played a critical role all season, then junior [player_tooltip player_id="24448" first="Ian" last="Wilsey"]’s role expanded in the second half of the season. His expanded role will continue into his senior season. "We went 2-6 and had a couple of three-point losses – that was tough," Wilsey said. "Towards the end, we stuck with it, and everything clicked, and we were able to beat Tartan in the end (to win the section championship). We stuck with what we knew, and we were able to put all the pieces together." Wilsey’s full-season role is rarely noticed – until he makes a mistake. "I played middle linebacker and started for half the season, and I have always been the long snapper. Towards the middle of the season, I started at middle linebacker. We had some guys who were going both ways, and we wanted to give them some breaks." Wilsey expects to start at middle linebacker in the team’s 4-3 base defense. "I think my ability to read the offense, fill holes, and tackling are my strengths. That carries over from wrestling – being able to be physical." "I have always played linebacker and have been long snapping for five years," Wilsey continued. "This year, I will continue to be the long snapper, and I think I will get more time at linebacker and make more of an impact this year." The senior knows where his college football future is. "In the offseason, I have focused on my long snapping," the 6’0" 190-pound senior said. "I went to some camps. I went to a camp in Chicago and have been working with some college kids on my long snapping." Wilsey explained the subtle differences between snapping for field goals and punts. "This can vary from person to person, but for field goal snaps, I only use my upper body – no leg drive. I hold the ball differently to keep the ball low. For punts, I get my legs and hips into the snap more and use my whole body." His offseason wasn’t all long-snapping. "Last year, I wrestled at 170 pounds," Wilsey said. "I started the season ranked 6th in the state. I had a couple of injuries but was able to get back in time for individual sections and make it back to State for the third time as an individual and the fourth time overall. I am a good takedown guy. A double leg takedown is normally my go-to takedown. I stick to the basics, and I ride legs well." COVID19 did not slow Wilsey down as much as it could have. "I was luckier than most people – my basement is a weight room. I was able to work out all the time. I would focus on bench, clean, squat, and deadlift." As the restrictions lightened up, Wilsey’s schedule picked up. "In July, I went to a long-snapping camp in Chicago. It was the biggest camp I had been to. I was named one of the top snappers at the camp. I got my snaps timed at .7 seconds. I had a good experience down there. I did two other camps with my trainer and have been working out with some kids from Concordia-St. Paul." His extra work has paid off. He has college programs from all levels looking at him. "I am going on a visit this weekend to Minnesota State-Moorhead," Wilsey told prepredzonemn.com. "I am going to St. Johns the following weekend. I have been talking to DI schools - Austin Peay, Abilene Christian, and Northern Illinois." Maybe not always noticed on Friday nights, colleges sure have noticed Wilsey during the offseason.