Prospect Spotlight: Colin Nagel – Hutchinson (2022)
How does a high school football player balance helping his high school team in the short term while doing what he needs to do to make himself more desirable to college recruiters? Typically, that is not hard, but what if…
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Continue ReadingHow does a high school football player balance helping his high school team in the short term while doing what he needs to do to make himself more desirable to college recruiters? Typically, that is not hard, but what if your high school position is not going to be what you are playing in college? Finding that balance will be a key for Hutchinson’s Colin Nagel Colin Nagel 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Hutchinson | 2022 State MN , the success of the Tigers, and his football future.
“The season went well, but I have a lot to improve on,” Nagel admitted. “I made the switch from tight end to quarterback. This year was my first time starting at quarterback. It was a change, but I got better as the season went on. I am looking forward to next year. I think I am ready to make some noise.”
Obviously, the change to quarterback was an adjustment.
“I have been playing tight end and defensive end pretty much up to last year,” Nagel said. “I had been practicing at quarterback, but I had never played in a game. It was different having to lead the whole offense. It was different having to know what everyone has to do on the field. There are a lot more things to worry about and have to lead the team more.”
As of now, Nagel relies more on his legs than his arm.
“I am best when I am running downhill. I like to get outside of the pocket when passing the ball, making plays with my arm and legs.”
As a senior, Nagel’s role will likely expand.
“I was strictly offense this year, but I have heard next year I might be playing both ways, quarterback and defensive end.”
The Tigers ended the 2020 season with a 5-2 record.
“Without summer camp, the season was unexpected,” Nagel explained. “When we came in, I thought we performed fine, but there were a lot of things we could have done better. We showed signs that we have potential to build for next year.”
“Defensively, we were physical,” Nagel – who enjoys golfing in his spare time – said. “Offensively, we ran the ball. When the offensive line was hammering the other guys, it was hard to stop us.”
This winter, the 6’3″ 230-pound junior traded in his spikes for basketball shoes.
“It was a good year; we built a lot of chemistry. I am a forward. I am down low, getting rebounds and a few buckets. I also try to be a leader out there.”
Although basketball is Nagel’s focus in the winter – football is never off his radar.
“I worked out every day, with light weights, but it was strictly basketball other than that. I would normally play baseball, but I am going to focus on football this spring. We go week to week in the weight room. One week we will go high reps and low weight. The next week we might go low reps, high weight. I also train at a place in Hutch – that is where I work on my tight end stuff. I worked with a quarterback coach last summer, and I will be doing that this summer too.”
Basketball helps Nagel with his overall athletic ability – something he will need moving forward playing and training for multiple positions.
“College coaches have told me that they see me as a tight end or fullback,” Nagle told prepredzonemn.com. “I know I am playing quarterback this season, but I am also trying to focus on tight end and fullback stuff. I have been working on blocking, my hands, and my footwork.”
“It is hard, but I find time for both,” Nagle continued. “My team needs me this year, and I will do whatever it takes to bring home a state title to Hutch. It is tough to balance, but I just try my best.”
Nagle’s sophomore film and his junior film have shown vastly different skills because of the change in position. Colleges seem to like what they see.
“Recruiting has been going good,” Nagle said. “I have been noticed by a good amount of Midwest FCS teams and Division II schools as well. I don’t have any offers yet, but I am just going to keep grinding. I am going to try to go to some camps this summer.”
North Dakota State, St. Thomas, and South Dakota State are in contact with Nagle for DI. Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota State-Mankato, Bemidji State, and Augustana are most interested in the junior at the DII level.
What level he ends up at is up in the air. He has an eye on the future, but not at the expense of his current team or, more importantly, his current teammates.