#ForTheBrand Kicker Profile: Rylen Keoraj/Elk River

Today, Nate from Northstar Football News caught up with a player for his #ForTheBrand Kicker profile. This week Nate caught up with Elk River Kicker Rylen Keoraj about his season and his future as a high school and potentially a college kicker Rylen Keoraj Position: Kicker <p style="margin-top: 0in; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">High School Program: Elk River <p style="margin-top: 0in; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Class: 2022, Sophomore <p style="margin-top: 0in; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Get to Know Rylen Keoraj and His Strengths Keoraj has been the kicker for the Elks of Elk River since he was a freshman which to me is why he has so much potential with his kicking leg. He credited his strengths “a strong work ethic, and a good ability to get good hang-times on his kickoffs putting the ball near the end zone most of the time” Favorite Parts about Being the Kicker In a title of everyone watching you and possibly blaming you if you miss a big field goal, Keoraj said “I like the pressure that everyone’s watching you” He said especially on kickoffs everyone in the stadium can see you do your thing. He also said he like the responsibility he brings to the Elks as he stated “I can’t blame anyone but myself if I screw up” said Keoraj about his position as the kicker for the Elks. College Interest As a sophomore Rylen stated he already has received some letters from coaches about checking out their university for a visit. Keoraj listed Bemidji State, North Dakota, Minnesota-Mankato and the University of Wisconsin as a few that have sent letters. Improvements Made from Last Season by Keoraj After last season Elks special teams coach Luke Nowinsky told Keoraj to focus on onside kicks, field goals and punts this off-season. Keoraj was very active this summer in the weight room (4 days of a week) and spent about 4 hours on strength/speed and kicking drills his coaches had recommended. Keoraj has been very strong at Kohl’s Kicking Camps as Kohl’s has him ranked 31st of 71 kickers in his class of 2022 which is impressive as Kohl’s is one of the premier kicking camps in the country. Keoraj has almost been invited to train at the Special Teams Football Academy in Minneapolis which features some of the best kickers in the region. Rylen’s Mentors Rylen credits his Elk River Elks coaching staff for his success thus far with the Elks and the great feedback they have given him to improve his craft as their Kicker. Individual/Team Goals for Keoraj and the Elk River Elks Rylen had some really good specific goals individually as he wants to be 95% on the year for extra points and 90% on fields which are great numbers as a kicker to strive for. The team goals for the Elks are to win districts and win another state title. Rylen would like to thank his parents, brother, coaches, trainers and teammates who have been helpful through his years in life and in football. The 5th ranked Elks in Class AAAAA will travel to Cambridge to take on the Bluejackets (1-3) who also have been featured here on Northstar Football News recently.