Prospect Spotlight: John Kaczor – St. Cloud Tech (2022)

Navigating the college football recruiting world can be a challenge. Most athletes feel out the process and learn as they go. That has never been an issue for St. Cloud Tech’s [player_tooltip player_id="116198" first="John" last="Kaczor"]. His talent has gotten him noticed, and his family has helped him make sense of the chaotic recruiting process. Although Kaczor’s play has been good enough to point some recruiting eyes his way, the Tigers struggled through an 0-5, 2020 season. "The season was a little disappointing," Kaczor admitted. "We only got to play five games, but we can’t blame anything on COVID – everyone had to deal with COVID – so that is not an excuse. We needed to play more as a team. We need to build on it for next year and get back on track." "On offense, we ran the ball well," Kaczor continued. "On defense, when our linebackers were playing well, then everyone fed off that energy, and we played well." Despite the team’s struggles, the junior big man was a solid, two-way player. "I feel great about my season," Kaczor said. "I am getting more attention from colleges, so I think some colleges are thinking the same thing. I am happy with how I played. I played a lot more defense than last year, so I was happy about that, but I am more of an offensive-driven guy." The 6’3" 280-pound lineman was in his second year in the starting line-up. "I played right guard. I started at right guard as a sophomore too. I think I can open some big holes in the running game. My leg drive and my strength are my strengths. I don’t give up many sacks either. I think I am a well-rounded player." In the second half of his sophomore year, Kaczor was in the rotation on defense. This year, he was a full-time starter. "I moved around on defense. Sometimes I would play a five-tech, and sometimes I would play a three-tech, both on the strong side. I am tough to move around. I do a good job of plugging up holes and make it tough to run up the middle. When the time is right, I can get after the quarterback a little bit." Kaczor feels improving one specific skill will pay dividends on both sides of the ball. "If I can improve my pad level and get my feet in the right spots. Defensively, the same thing, I need to work on my pad level, and I should be good." The junior is a three-sport athlete. "I played basketball this winter. I would lift in the morning and go to basketball practice in the afternoon. I am pretty much playing football on the hardwood; I don’t do much shooting. I stay in the paint and try to be as big as possible. I will still be working out in the morning and will be throwing shot put and discus this spring." Kaczor bleeds St. Cloud Tech orange and black. "I have been surrounded by Tech football my whole life. My dad was the head coach for ten years. He passed away in 2006. I have seven older brothers who all played football – six of them played in college. I have always been surrounded by it." He has also been surrounded by helpful recruiting advice. "It is so helpful to know what to expect when it comes to recruiting," Kaczor – who enjoys fishing in his spare time - said. "My closest brother – James – is a linebacker at North Dakota State. He has been the biggest help. He has walked me through every step of the process with his recruiting and let me know what to expect. It has been awesome. I have gotten to talk to some people that if you had told me I would be talking to them, I wouldn’t believe you. It has been a blessing; I am super grateful for the opportunity." So far, the opportunity has come in the form of mostly Division II interest. "I have had interest from a lot of Division II schools in the Midwest," Kaczor told prepredzonemn.com. "Then schools like NDSU, South Dakota State, and North Dakota have contacted me." Kaczor has been recruited exclusively on one side of the ball. "I am being recruited as an offensive player – both guard and center. I have always been the backup center, but I have never played it in a game." College programs like his athletic ability and his athletic genes. "The recruiting conversations usually start with a coach saying, ’I recruited your older brother,’ but they say they like my feet, my get-off, and how aggressive I am and how I finish my blocks." Kaczor hopes to finish his high school football career strong and then start his college career and continue the family tradition of college football.