Max Mogelson | Two Rivers

How did your junior season go?rnIt went pretty well – coming off a sophomore season where I was battling an injury – I didn’t play much. I needed a good season with some good film to put out there for scouts. It went well for me personally, but we didn’t reach all our team goals. I am excited about the season coming up. We made a lot of changes that we have already been working on.

Talk to me about the injury and what you had to do to get back.rnFreshman year, I started on varsity and got named All-Conference. That is when I realized I could take football more seriously. I am a three-sport athlete, and football was kind of a seasonal thing, but after my freshman season, I started to take things more seriously. In our pre-season scrimmage, I sprained my ankle and was out for seven weeks. I came back in week four, and about eight plays in; I landed weirdly on my kneecap. That put me out for basically the rest of the season. I played the last game of the season, which meant a lot to me because my brother was a senior, and he was hurt my freshman year, so I didn’t get to play with him until that last game. After that, I knew I had to put in work to get my name out there, show that I am not injury prone, and I can get out there and do some damage.

Where do you typically line up?rnOne of the big parts of my game is I can play wherever on the defensive line. This year I think I will be playing mostly a three-tech. We have some packages where I will bump out to end and be more of an up-field athlete. At defensive tackle, I am quick off the line and can get a big push and do some damage.

What do you do best as a defensive lineman?rnI think my motor is very good. I keep driving and keep going. I think I am quick off the ball – it is always about beating the o-linemen, hitting first, and shooting hands first. My quick twitch and my motor are my two best assets. I also play some tight end. I am a tough target to defend and set a nice lead block. I can help the offense out in many ways.

What have you been doing this winter and spring?rnThis season was the first year I didn’t play high school basketball. I played AAU in the summer. I wanted to get my body ready and get bigger and stronger in the weight room – working with a lot of different people at different places. This spring, I played baseball. I play outfield. It is a big mental game, and I think it helps with football. You can have an off day, but you have to move past it. I hit a lot of singles and doubles. I think I was second on the team in stolen bases.

What were you working on in the weight room?rnI was working at a training facility – working on some small stuff – gaining weight, and working on my nutrition. I would work out at school and lead some defensive linemen workouts at the school.

What football skills have you been working on this offseason?rnI have been working on my footwork. For defensive line, footwork goes hand in hand with your hand movements and pass-rush moves. If you have quick feet on the d-line, your hands will also be quick.

How has the recruiting process gone?rnI am never going to complain about the recruiting process. I am blessed to be in the position I am in. With that being said, it is a lot of stress, but I am grateful to be in this position.

Who is most interested in you at this point?rnThe schools that have offered that are higher on my list are Wyoming, Colorado State, and UNLV. Those are the main three right now that have offered me. I have built good relationships with all the coaches. I have been on unofficial visits to Wyoming and Colorado State. I am still trying to set up a visit to UNLV.