Northern State Football Camp Gives Hope
Northern State First Year Coach Mike Schmidt & Staff Nail a 2-Day Camp During Pandemic on a safety first level
It’s a dark time in both High School and College Football. With seasons being cancelled, shortened and rescheduled, there is both uncertainty and fear amongst coaches, parents and recruits. Normally both 2021 recruits and underclassman would have hundreds of showcases and camps to attend in various states at all levels so they can put their skills out there for the college staffs.
The Covid-19 Pandemic however, has scared away many colleges and university throughout the country from trying to field a skills camp. So what is first year coach Mike Schmidt to do with his new Northern State University Football Program and their camp situation? Exactly what he did…. Put on a 2 day, 4 hour camp for both skills players and big men that followed CDC & NCAA Guidelines and then some making this camp safe on so many levels. When I asked Coach Schmidt the reason for pushing through and putting on this amazing camp, he replied “With so many camps cancelled and fear of Covid-19, we wanted to prove that there was a way to stay strict to guidelines and provide a safe environment for these athletes to showcase their skills.”
Check In
Usually one of the most confusing parts of a Camp or Showcase never-mind how confusing it can get trying to meet all of the Covid-19 Guidelines. The NSU Staff put on their masks and got ready for Day 1. Scheduled for a 1 pm start on 7/27 on the Wolves main practice field. Coach Schmidt had his full staff and supporting staff begin setting up at 6 am. Skills players started lining up outside of the main gate as early as 10 am, but even 3 hours early, the staff was well prepared. With 2 entrances conducting registration and screening to keep groups to a minimum and distance amongst athletes the process was underway. Both entrances had a coach registering athletes, taking temperatures and explaining camp guidelines to minimize Covid risk. Once registration was complete Coach Schmidt gathered all of the athletes in a big circle and broke the ice introducing his staff at which time every coach told the players their favorite activity during the quarantine. The mood was energetic and relaxed which enabled the athletes to perform at a high level. One of the rules that Coach Schmidt had put in place for the camp was not very popular, was that parents would only be able to view the camp from outside the fence line with no field access. Parents were 6 feet apart from each other but even in this instance parents were notified ahead of time, brought chairs and it was not an issue.
Skills Camp
The camp consisted of 98 skill position players which was the cap. As I walked around warm-ups there was obviously a few players that stood out. Coaches broke up the practice field into 4 sections, 2 coaches per section, approximately 25 players per group and began testing. The tests included pro-agility, L drill, broad jump and the 20 yard shuttle. With 20 Quarterbacks, approximately 30 Linebackers and a WR/DB/RB mix of 48 players in attendance camp was officially underway.
I decided to start watching the standing broad jump in which players were sticking average jumps until Jamarien Wheeler, Wide Receiver out of Minneapolis Washburn High School stepped up and stuck an eye-opening 10’7 jump that was enough for me to move to the next circuit. It was at the next station which was the 20 yard shuttle that I first put eyes on Wyatt Block, the 5’8 185lb Running Back out of Mankato West High School. The 2 time All-City, All-Conference RB was tops on the 20 Yard with a 2.56 and the L Drill with a 7.11. Another athlete that caught my eye was Tyler Shaver out of Prior Lake High School who topped the pro-agility with a 4.34. Arizona Running Back Josh Baxter from Saguaro High School was another skills guys who seem to impress during individuals. During the entire camp, head coach Mike Schmidt bounced around from station to station with a large bottle of hand sanitizer and made sure players were standing 6 feet apart while evaluating talent. As the day 1 camp rolled into the individual session there were a few QBs who seemed to stand out. Bryce Pagel from Wisconsin Lutheran High School and Cole Fuller from Lake Havasu High School in Arizona definitely seemed to be on target making accurate, strong throws throughout the entire camp. Both Fuller and Pagel showed confidence and leadership from the QB position throughout the entire camp. One QB who really stood out was 6’2 185lb Reid Patterson from Lakeville South High School who also currently holds a D2 Scholarship Offer for Basketball; in my opinion this kid can sling it!. The LB’s and DB’s was a very skilled group. Some of the players that turned heads were Payton Hughes and Andy Blazvich from Sioux Falls Lincoln High School and Nyle Dickel from Minneapolis Washburn High School but unquestionably one LB that caught the attention of Defensive Coordinator Jeff Larson was Class of 2022 Brandon Craddock out of Arizona. This young man was all over the field in every drill.
With a hand full of players receiving offers, and others getting the opportunity to get on the NSU football radar, Day 1 was a huge success!
Big Man Camp
As Day 2 registration began and the Big Boys started to roll in, it was obviously a smaller group with approximately 50 players. Adhering to the same safety measures, it was obviously easier to social distance with 30 less players but that did not stop head coach Mike Schmidt from continuing his Covid stroll with a large bottle of hand sanitizer and “6 FEET AWAY” bark. Height, Weight and Wingspan was conducted before getting into groups and testing agility and immediately one player clearly opened coaches eyes. That player was Justin Hernandez from La Serna High School in California. The hybrid DB/Rush LB measured in at close to 6’4 with a '6’8 Wingspan. With the same circuits set up as Day 1, it was once again Justin Hernandez who had coaches talking. This athletic freak topped every category with a 2.59 20 yard, 9’8 broad jump, 7.67 L Drill and 4.51 pro-agility. That’s right, this wasn’t a misprint…. EVERY CATEGORY!!!
As the BIG Men broke into individuals, there were a few guys who definitely standing out. 2021 All-State DE Wesley Willis from Grundy Center High School and Kiefer Chmielewski from Kaukauna High School. These 2 definitely came to play. Another 2 that caught the coaches eyes in individuals were Parker Theobald from Stewartville High School and Wyatt Bray from Britton-Hecla High School.
Players took a quick 10 minute break and padded up and got ready for one on one drills. Folks, if you did not know the name, you were going to hear it during one on one drills as La Serna High School Offensive Lineman Esteban Mendoza had coaches screaming, jumping and clapping as the 6’3 260lb Offensive Guard absolutely destroyed every player in his path. Mendoza stepped in against 18 different Defensive Lineman and never lost a battle. I had a chance to catch up with Northern State Offensive Line Coach John Roy who was as you can imagine bursting with excitement. Coach Roy said to me “Coach I can see Mendoza and the rest of these guys making me a happy man next few years!”.
Wrap Up
To say that the Northern State University Camp was a success is the understatement of the year. To be able to accomplish what Coach Mike Schmidt and the rest of his staff did gives football and the players hope at a time when many are losing it. Coach Schmidt said “I couldn’t have done this without my staff.” which included Running Backs Coach Donnell Kirkwood, Offensive Coordinator Isaac Fruechte, Defensive Coordinator Jeff Larson, Defensive Line Coach Maia Tupou, Offensive Line Coach John Roy, Tight Ends Coach Sam Chilsen, Defensive Assistant Coach Jake Iery, Wide Receivers Coach Ryan Schlichte and Assistant Matthew Wolf and also showed a huge level of appreciate for myself and My Recruits for making the trip. The NSIC Conference better strap up because the Wolves are howling.
Story by Coach Lou Perrone
