Carson Hegerle focused on high school but ready for college football
FARGO, N.D. (BVM) — With the North Dakota high school football season underway, Carson Hegerle has put his college recruitment on the back burner.
“Sometimes it can be a little stressful, but I’m locked into my senior season so the recruiting isn’t as heavy as it was in my junior season and this summer,” Hegerle said. “But it definitely can be a little stressful sometimes but I’m just focusing on the season and my team’s success.”
However, it hasn’t completely gone away as the West Fargo senior received an official offer from UNLV on Sept. 13. It is the most recent in a list of schools that have offered Hegerle in the hopes of bringing him to their program. That list includes North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Wyoming, Utah State and Army West Point.
There is also interest in the 6-foot-3 190 pound wide receiver from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas State.
“I’ve always dreamt of it so I’m just blessed to be in this position, but I’ve worked hard for this so I’m really glad it’s starting to pay off,” Hegerle said.
That hard work showed over the summer as Hegerle ran the gauntlet of college recruiting, attending camps at Wisconsin, North Dakota and North Dakota State. He then did one-on-one workouts at Wyoming and Nebraska and had a campus visit to South Dakota State.
“It was a really fun experience,” Hegerle said.
Hegerle showcased his abilities and his athleticism that just months before had helped him take second at state in the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes in his first season of track. At Nebraska he ran a 4.50 second 40-yard dash and posted a 35.5 inch vertical.
That athleticism has made Hegerle a dangerous threat on the outside and on the basketball court. Last season he helped the Packers’ basketball team to their first state championship in 29 years, going for 28 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks in the state semifinal game against Sheyene.
Even so, football has always come first.
“My all-time favorite sport is football,” Hegerle said. “That’s alway been my best sport.”
His father played football in college and Hegerle grew up around the sport. He played quarterback as a kid, but whenever he was playing backyard football, he took the opportunity to play his favorite position: wide receiver.
Then as a freshman he made the switch to receiver official in an attempt to make the varsity team and he succeeded.
“I thought I fit right in with them,” Hegerle said.
It was that first year on varsity that showed Hegerle he had what it takes to take his game to the next level and made the decision he wasn’t going to be done with football when he finished high school.
“After my freshman year I decided this is what I love to do so I think I’m going to stick with it and try to accomplish my goal of playing college football,” Hegerle said.
Hitting the weight room with his teammates and running routes everyday during the offseason, Hegerle began to do the training that is required to play football at the collegiate level.
It paid off immediately.
As a sophomore, Hegerle was a second team all-state selection and last year he upgraded that to a first team all-state selection. As a junior, he had 33 receptions for 425 yards and four touchdowns while also leading the Eastern Dakota Conference in interceptions with four. He also holds a school record in career receptions, which he has already added to this season.
Hegerle has already accumulated over 200 yards receiving and although the Packers have had a tough start to the season, Hegerle is confident in his team.
“I know we can bounce back,” Hegerle said.
He will play a big role in that and as the Packers work towards a deep postseason run, Hegerle will be continuing his climb to the next level.
