Outstate Recruiting Report: Tucker Haakonson/Rocori (2021)

<strong>COLD SPRING--</strong> When it comes to Class 4A, there is no more underappreciated team in Minnesota than the Rocori Spartans. Fresh off a state championship in 2019, the Spartans rallied to a perfect season (7-0) in 2020 but still were unappreciated by the final AP poll. Despite playing a top-notch strength of schedule, Rocori was deemed the #2 team in 4A, getting snubbed by Fridley. But this recruiting report is about one of their most productive players on both sides of the ball. Prep Redzone Minnesota ranked DB/WR [player_tooltip player_id="18171" first="Tucker" last="Haakonson"] caught up with us to go over his season, what’s on his recruiting trail, and much more! <strong>Get to Know [player_tooltip player_id="18171" first="Tucker" last="Haakonson"]</strong> Haakonson is a player that goes both ways, both at a very high level. When I watched Haakonson in person against Hutchinson this season, I saw a kid who has such a quick step to making any play that comes his way, whether it’s at wide receiver or defensive back; Haakonson is on it like glue.  Haakonson defined his strengths as a big/physical body that can go get the football and a player who is not afraid to take a hit or, on defense, hit someone with his physical strength. <strong>Favorites of DB/WR</strong> Offensively Haakonson loves whatever way he can get his hands on the football. Haakonson showed that off this season, being one of Camdyn Bauer’s top wide receivers for the Spartans. Defensively, Tucker stated there is nothing better than getting an interception knowing you did your job to get your team another opportunity to score. <strong>The Recruiting Trail</strong> Despite Haakonson’s strong talents, he’s generated somewhat light college interest which; if you watch the film, he defines the term "sleeper" coming out of a powerhouse outstate program like Rocori. Haakonson took a visit the day before our interview to nearby St. John’s but has also heard from other MIAC programs and just one Division II program. <strong>Elevator Pitch</strong> We at Prep Redzone Minnesota asked Tucker what his elevator pitch might be to the coaches reading; here is what the Rocori star had to say: <strong>I play both sides of the football very well at both wide receiver and defensive back. I am a very hard worker and am not afraid to play wherever my college team needs me to play. I am a player that plays to the whistle on every single play, no matter where on the football field I am.</strong> <strong>Offseason Work Ons</strong> "I am working on getting faster and working on my acceleration in the open field," Haakonson told Prep Redzone Minnesota on what he was working on and has been working on during the offseason year after year. <strong>Learning About Yourself This Season</strong> 2020 was a strange football year for everyone in Minnesota and across the country. "Going into the season, we didn’t know when we were going to be playing," Haakonson told us. "When we knew what we had in the 2020 season, I knew myself and my Spartan teammates had to make the most of what we got because you don’t know when it is going to end. <strong>Q/A: </strong>You have one meal you have to eat for the rest of your life; which restaurant is it, and what are you having? <strong>Haakonson: </strong>A Buffalo Chicken Wrap from <a href="https://www.telispizza.com/">Marnatelli’s Pizza</a> in Cold Spring! Check out Haakonson’s senior Hudl film below. <strong>Quick Eval</strong>: Haakonson has solid footwork on his turns. His jump off the snap is also another key asset to his game. Long arms that will grab very close to anything that comes his way. Solid measurables, stands at 6’1—also a sound basketball player for the Spartans, solid vertical. <a href="http://iframe%20src=’//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9759534/5fc4245b4210270f6c9ac1ff’%20width=’640’%20height=’360’%20frameborder=’0’%20allowfullscreen/iframe"><iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9759534/5fc4245b4210270f6c9ac1ff" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></a> &nbsp;