St. Sebastian’s Louis Hansen staying in shape for Ann Arbor debut
NEEDHAM, Mass. (BVM) — Louis Hansen is under a month out from arriving at his new home at the University of Michigan. Hansen, who has dominated the last couple of years playing at St. Sebastian’s School, had to play in a much different final season.
With COVID-19 canceling the regularly–scheduled football season in the Independent School League, the No. 11-ranked tight end and the Arrows had to play a 7-on-7 season instead. The lack of practice time gave Hansen the ability to get in the weight room and add size.
“We would have liked to play a full season but we ended up playing 7-on-7 and we didn’t have to put on pads until the last week or two of the season,” Hansen said of the experience. “It was tough not wearing pads and not getting the same hitting, but playing 7-on-7, I was at least able to keep the hands fresh and run routes and get more active in the passing game.
“With only pass-game stuff to work on, practices were shorter, so that allowed me to spend more time in the weight room and put on more size and strength.”
Getting active in the passing game has been one of Hansen’s most impressive skill-sets. The 6-foot-5, 247–pound tight end reeled in 39 receptions for 501 yards and four touchdowns in his junior season. His play helped the Arrows to a 5-3 season in 2019 and a league title in 2018.
After starting at Dover-Sherborn High School his freshman year, Hansen has progressed from playing wide receiver and defensive end early on, to his more stable role at tight end. His progress at the position has been helped along by his time on the basketball court.
The two-sport athlete has played basketball throughout his high school career before passing on his final season this year. The experience gained from his time on the court has easily transitioned to his training on the football field.
“Going up and getting the basketball for a rebound is similar to going up and getting a jump-ball in football,” Hansen said of the traits that carry over between the sports. “I definitely think basketball helped with offseason training and staying in shape, lateral quickness [and my] vertical.”
The star tight end made his college decision last year and didn’t need to put together a list of his top programs. With offers from schools like Boston College, Colorado, Connecticut and Duke, the St. Sebastian’s senior began to focus on one school as the recruiting process went on.
“The recruiting process I would say was awesome at the beginning,” Hansen said. “Obviously, a lot of schools reaching out was like a dream come true. It was really cool to get offers from some schools I grew up watching. But as the process went on, it kind of got a little tedious.
“I really grew a great connection with the coaching staff at Michigan. Coach [Sherrone] Moore and Coach [Jay] Harbaugh were still there and Coach [Don] Brown [who] is now gone. The combination of the athletics and academics at Michigan along with the coaching staff [helped]. When I knew I was going to go to Michigan I didn’t really wait. I didn’t put out a top five or anything because I was ready to commit. So I committed a little bit early, but I’m glad I did.”
Hansen has been getting used to the Michigan workout program since signing day back in December. He will get his first opportunity to get in the building on May 18 and is ready to join one of Big Ten’s powerhouse programs.
