Prospect Spotlight: James Lindquist – Buffalo (2022)

With a ton of starters graduating and a new coaching staff, 2020 was going to be a transition year for the Buffalo Bison. With an injury that kept him out nearly his entire sophomore season, it was a transition year for soon-to-be senior [player_tooltip player_id="49924" first="James" last="Lindquist"] too. With a year under the young team’s belt and experience for Lindquist, both are looking for big seasons in 2021. "It was obviously a weird year with COVID," Lindquist said. "It was a different experience. We had a whole new team. We graduated a ton of guys. We had a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator, and a new offense. It was tough to adapt to all the new stuff." They had to deal with all of that in a COVID shortened pre-season. Predictably, Lindquist and his teammates struggled through an 0-5 season. "We only had seven seniors on the team," Lindquist explained. "We lost all our leaders from two years ago. In my opinion, one of the most important things in high school football is leadership – not just from the coaches. We didn’t have a vocal leader last year. This year, I think we have a lot of leaders on the team." The offense transitioned from a wide-open passing game to a physical team. "When we were at our best, we were gritty," Lindquist told prepredzonemn.com. "We would run the ball down the opponents’ throat. The offensive line would get the defensive line moving backward. On defense, our front seven was playing on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Our run offense and run defense was our strength." Coming off an injury, Lindquist worked himself back into the lineup. "Last season, I was the sixth offensive lineman. I would play right or left guard or center. I started our last game at center. For me, last year was a stepping stone for this year. As a sophomore, one week before the season, I had a non-contact foot injury. I broke my foot and was out for the whole year. I was 100 percent this year." Being the sixth offensive lineman had its advantages for Lindquist’s development. "I had to learn all five offensive line positions." He shouldn’t be moving around much in 2021. "I have been taking reps at center. That is where I think I am best. I am also a basketball player, so I have quick feet. I can move better than most offensive linemen. Especially when I get to the next level, I can run with the linebackers." "I was on JV in basketball," Lindquist continued. "That helped me get faster. I have always played basketball. They complement each other well. I have a football mindset in basketball, and the footwork helps me in football." He was able to get into the weight room during the basketball season and did more of a football workout than the basketball team’s workout. "This spring, I was in the weight room and running," Lindquist – who likes to golf in his spare time - said. "I would lift for about an hour and a half and then work basketball stuff. There have not been many off days." A center at only 6’1" 220 pounds, Lindquist knows he needs to bulk up but at the same time must take advantage of his strengths. "I have been working on my explosiveness in the weight room. I need to put on weight too. I am working on my footwork. If I can get my footwork down, it is going to be big." Big is what Lindquist is hoping for in 2021. A big season for the team and himself. If he can accomplish that, his senior season could be a great transition into a college football career.