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FOOTBALL PROFILE: The Player

Position: QB/MLB

Year: Senior (Class of 2022)

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 197 pounds

Experience/accomplishments: 1 x All-Big Southeast District (2020); 2 x letterwinner (2019, 2020); Team captain (2021)

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INTRODUCTION: The Personality

Q: Why did you choose your number?

“Well, all the way up until last year I was actually number ten. Obviously (Brayden) Truelson had that number last year and I switched. When it came to making the decision heading into my junior season, it was either eleven or twelve, and there was a former player, Carson DeKam, who wore twelve. I always looked up to him when I was young and taking the number twelve just felt like I was following in his footsteps. It’s big shoes to fill.”

Q: What is your favorite uniform combination?

“Probably white on white. And in second — and it’s a close second — probably just depends on the night. Maybe blue on white.”

Q: Do you have any family connections to the football program?

“Yep, my dad (Marc Achterkirch) is the defensive coordinator.”

Q: Are you involved in any other sports or activities?

“Baseball and hockey.”

Q: Memorable phase frequently used by any coach:

“Coach Achterkirch pretty much every day is telling us to ‘get lower.’ So the words ‘get lower’ have become engraved into my brain at this point.”

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QUESTION & ANSWER: The Person

Q: You’ve had a busy offseason on the college circuit. Talk about when things started picking up and where you stand right now in terms of what you’re looking for in a college.

“Things started picking up pretty much after the (2021) seniors had all signed. It must have been in December or January. I have stayed in contact with a lot of schools and did everything I could to put myself in front of a lot of coaches this offseason. I got some good looks and now it’s all about focusing on my senior season.”

Q: What were some of the main camps you attended?

“Some of the (Division I) FCS camps were pretty cool because you’re going against high competition. There are so many kids there and that makes every rep crucial. At that point, it becomes almost a mindset thing.”

Q: Have you always wanted to play college football, or was it something that evolved over the last couple years?

“No, it has always been a goal of mine since I was young to play past high school. It just seemed like it was really cool and could be a great time. Now that I am getting even closer (to college), it makes you want it even more. Just seeing some of the facilities and what it brings to the student-athletes and communities is pretty awesome.”

Q: Do you have a list of schools that you’ve narrowed down?

“You know, there are definitely some that stand out more than others. It’s been a lot of schools in the (D-II) NSIC, but now that the high school season is starting, the recruiting has slowed down a little, and I think that’s for everyone. I went to a camp at Minnesota-Duluth. The campus; the school; the football program really stood out to me. Augustana University (in Sioux Falls) also stood out.”

Q: This year is really unique in that you are one of the leading candidates for the starting QB spot and will play almost every down at linebacker on defense. How are you absorbing everything, because I am sure it could get overwhelming if you don’t have the right mindset.

“Well, I had been doing (playing both positions) all the way up through high school until last year when I only played linebacker. Last year was the first time I hadn’t done both, so it’s almost something I am used to. I am really hoping to play both — it just kind of feels natural to me. It’s almost second-nature.”