Jack Lynn, senior linebacker, recently committed to University of Minnesota with a Division 1 football scholarship. He was a three star recruit, according to Rivals.com.

“I chose Minnesota for academics. They’re one of the best in the nation for that. I have family that went there and lives in that area,” Lynn said. “It’s like a home away from home for me.”

Lynn, who is listed as 6’3” and 205 pounds by MaxPreps, had to work hard to get to the college level, he said.

“There’s a ton of training [involved]. Weight training, 40-yard dash, stuff like that. Getting good 40-yard dash times is probably the hardest thing for me. I get a lot of help from the coaches,” Lynn said. “The players I was around, and the coaches, really molded me.”

The training will most likely continue and even increase as he transitions into college, as Lynn knows that college will carry a more competitive football environment.

“[College football] will be 20 times faster. The players are that much better. It’ll be totally different,” Lynn said.

Though the offer to play college football is the main reason that many players compete in high school, Lynn says there are things about LZ that he will miss.

“The town is always backing me up here. Just the whole small town thing, you know. The whole atmosphere is really cool,” Lynn said.

Bryan Stortz, head coach of the varsity football team, has no doubt that Lynn can succeed at the next level, he said.

“There are so many things that make [Lynn] a great player. Just from an athletic standpoint, he’s tall, long, and they could probably put 30 pounds on him. The Division 1 guys love that. He’s explosive, he’s got great speed,” Stortz said. “What I think makes Jack so special, like anyone who knows him will say, is he’s a great competitor and a great leader. It’s that leadership and personality that really makes him stand out.”