2011 National Signing (and Groundhog) Day Preview

By Dan Tracy, BRCFootball.com

It’s fitting that this year’s National Signing Day falls on Groundhog Day, especially for the Big Rivers Conference.

There may not be a player in the BRC with a name as clever as Punxsutawney Phil (although Gregory Button comes in a close second) but for the remaining uncommitted recruits in the BRC, will they see their shadows and decide to ponder their college decisions for a few more weeks? Or will they emerge from their recruiting process and make plans to scamper away to college after inking their letter of intent?

Over the next 20 hours–that’s if you’re actually reading this at 4 a.m. when it was published–we will find out.

There are six known commits in the BRC Class of 2011 (see 2011 Commit List) including the only likely Division I recruit in Menomonie linebacker Brent Stout (Army). News of the sixth commit came just over two hours ago via Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reporter John Casper Jr.’s Twitter account that Menomonie running Joey Neeb will be signing with Division II Northern Michigan.

There are plenty of BRC recruits that have not announced their college decisions yet so I’ll give you a team-by-team breakdown of what we can expect either today or within the coming weeks from the remaining recruits in the BRC’s Class of 2011. Be sure to check back here at the BRCFootball.com blog for updates on these recruits throughout the day.

Chippewa Falls

Brad Huempfner: The last time I posted an article about Bruisin’ Brad he had received a bevy of recruiting interest from schools in the NSIC and WIAC. Ultimately, Huempfner had narrowed down his options to Bemidji State, UW-Stout and also a possibility of attending a technical school. I’ve learned that Huempfner has shown interest in Rochester Community and Technical College. RCTC is no stranger to recruiting the BRC as Menomonie’s Jonny Koehler and Travis Welch, both 2010 graduates, were on the 10-2 Yellowjackets this season as they won the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) State Championship. No word yet on when Huempfner will decide today although he did tell me that he hoped to decide around Signing Day.

Mario Stephens: One of the few BRC recruits left that will definitely end up heading to a Division II school. I’ve been in contact with Mario numerous times over the last few weeks and it’s down to Bemidji State and Minnesota-State Mankato. Stephens visited Bemidji State on Jan. 15 and Mankato on Jan. 29. Stephens had originally planned to have his decision made a week before National Signing Day. I expect that Stephens will make his decision today.

Tyler Kinderman: A first-team All-BRC selection at defensive back and a second-team All-BRC selection at punter this season.

 

Eau Claire Memorial

Chuck Ayres: Definitely the most interesting recruiting process of any BRC recruit this season, Ayres is being courted by nearly all of the Ivy League with MIT, Princeton and Harvard in his top three. Ayres will be visiting MIT on Feb. 19 and he plans to make his decision soon after the visit.

Ricky Caldwell: One of the most explosive athletes in the conference over the last three years, Caldwell never eclipsed the 700-yard mark in his three years in the Old Abes backfield but showed us flashes of his athletic potential. Caldwell was invited to the Wisconsin Badgers one-day camp before his junior season but since then his interest from colleges has been sparse.

Mark Munger: Second in the BRC in passing yards (1,642) and touchdowns (15) in 2010.

Avery Sega: Three-year letterwinner and second-team All-BRC at linebacker in 2010.

 

Eau Claire North

Gregory Button: I can’t confirm it yet but I’m hearing that Button could be headed to Bemidji State. The 6’2 215 lb. Button was the anchor of the Huskies defense over the last two seasons and was named to the All-BRC first team at linebacker in 2010. Button attended camps at Wisconsin, Winona State and Minnesota-Duluth prior to the 2010 season.

Mitch Degrasse: The leading passer in both yards (2,255) and touchdowns (23) this season. Named to the All-BRC second team.

Tyler Hermann: Caught 44 passes for 738 yards and five touchdowns this season. Named to the All-BRC second team.

Grant Lokken: 2010 Preseason All-BRCFootball.com tight end. Caught 17 passes for 260 yards and five touchdowns in five games before breaking his fibula which ended his season. Lokken attended pre-season camps at Wisconsin, Winona State and Minnesota-Duluth.

Austin Rieder: The BRC’s leading receiver in 2010. He snagged 60 catches for 887 yards and eight touchdowns. Rieder is receiving interest from Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota-Crookston, St. Thomas, UW-Stout, UW-LaCrosse and UW- Platteville. Rieder informed me on Jan. 25 that he had hoped to make his decision “sometime soon.”

 

Hudson

Jake Denison: Second-team All-BRC kicker in 2010.

Derek Krumrei: 6’2 190 lb. wide receiver caught 10 passes for 199 yards and five touchdowns in 2010. UW-Eau Claire has shown interest in Krumrei.

Matt Krier: Narrowed down his list of potential schools to two, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Lacrosse. Krier, a second-team All-BRC offensive lineman in 2010, will visit UW-Lacrosse this weekend.

Will Johnson: Second-team All-BRC defensive lineman in 2010.

 

Menomonie

Jimmy Benrud: First-team All-BRC tight end in 2010 will attend UW-Lacrosse for solely academic purposes after suffering a season-ending injury during wrestling season.

Ben Danovsky: First-team All-BRC offensive lineman in 2010.

Nick Didier: The most decorated player in the BRC’s class of 2011, Didier could complete the trifecta of all three first-team All BRC linebackers continuing on to play in college (pending Button’s commitment). The 2010 first-team All-State offensive lineman and linebacker has received interest from Northern Michigan and Minnesota-Duluth among others.

Joey Neeb: According to John Casper Jr. of the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, Neeb, a first-team All-BRC running back in 2010, will commit to Northern Michigan today.

Aaron White: Rushed for 754 yards and 11 touchdowns on his way to being named to the All-BRC second team in 2010.

 

Rice Lake:

Eric Elwood: 6’1 205 lb. Elwood was named to the All-BRC first team as a defensive lineman in 2010.

Chris Ester: First-team All-BRC selection at running back in 2010. One of four players in the BRC this season to rush for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns; he rushed for 1,064 and 10 touchdowns.

Taylor West: First-team All-BRC selection at defensive back in 2010.

 

River Falls

Jack Herum: 6’4 170 lb. target caught 37 passes for 404 yards and three touchdowns on his way to an All-BRC second team selection. Deciding on UW-Stout and UW-Whitewater and has not yet decided whether or not he will play football at the next level.

Nick Zimmerman: Led all BRC running backs with 1,352 yards and 15 touchdowns. First-team All BRC selection has received Division III interest but is currently leaning towards attending UW-Madison for solely academic purposes.

 

Superior

Cam Stanley: Received interest prior to the 2010 season from Minnesota-Duluth. Caught seven passes for 147 yards and one touchdown at wide receiver and recorded  23 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble at defensive end.

Schorr and Benrud: Gridiron Grapplers

By Dan Tracy
BRCFootball.com

If there is any sport that rivals the physicality of being in the trenches of a high school football game, it’s good-old freestyle wrestling. No other sport gives you the opportunity to outmuscle, outwork and outperform your opponent in attempt to bring them to the ground.

Cole Schorr and Jimmy Benrud know all about both the trenches and the mat.

Offensive All-BRC 1^st teamers on the football field, both Superior offensive lineman Cole Schorr and Menomonie tight end Jimmy Benrud have transitioned from blocking defensive lineman to grappling with opposing wrestlers. Schorr, a captain for the Spartans, now wrestles at 189 pounds and Benrud wrestled at 152 pounds before his senior season ended a few weeks ago due to injury.

Another transition that both are now preparing for is the transition to college. Schorr will attend the College of St. Scholastica to play football and study nursing while Benrud will head to UW-Lacrosse for solely academic purposes.

Cole Schorr

The 5’10 205 lb. Schorr started each of his varsity football seasons at a different position. However, by the last game of each season, Schorr’s reliability as a blocker landed him back on the offensive line each season.

Schorr started his senior season at fullback and at linebacker for the Spartans, accruing 43 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving on three catches in non-conference losses to Stevens Point and D.C. Everest. The highlight of Schorr’s season came against Stevens Point as he caught a screen pass and rumbled his way down the field for an 80-yard receiving touchdown. Schorr was moved to the offensive line as they opened up BRC play, but continued to switch in from time to time at defense and finished the season with eight total tackles. The Spartans were never able to recover from key injuries to senior starters Cody Kitch at center and Rob Dembroski at quarterback as they finished the season 0-9 for the first time since 2005.

“Every game we wanted a win more than anything but we just couldn’t pull it together,” Schorr said.

Despite the winless season, Schorr achieved two individual goals that he had aspired for since starting his career with Superior.

“Ever since I was a freshman I wanted to be a captain of the football team, and also be on the first team All-Conference list,” Schorr said. “I achieved both of those goals this year.”

Schorr will now take a path often traveled by former Spartans as he will continue his football career at Division III St. Scholastica. The Saints currently have seven former Spartans on their roster along with former Eau Claire Memorial kicker Taylor McGinnis.

“I want to earn a starting spot as soon as possible as a defensive starter and be a captain on that team along with being an all-league player,” Schorr said. “Academically, I want to achieve my bachelor’s degree in nursing.”

Schorr visited the campus on Nov. 6 when the Saints beat Northwestern College (MN) 10-7 in their home finale. Schorr is expecting to play linebacker for the Saints.

As a wrestler, Schorr has dealt with two season-ending injuries. He dislocated his shoulder three matches into his sophomore year and just recently tore his MCL in his fourth match on the mat for the Spartans. Schorr, a captain on this year’s squad, finishes his high school career with 30 wins.

Name: Cole Schorr
Height: 5″10
Weight: 205 lbs.
High School Position (s): LB
Potential College Position (s): LB
40 Time: 4.80 sec.
Max Bench Press: 240 lbs.
Max Parallel Squat: 350 lbs.
Max Power Clean: 245 lbs.
Greatest High School Football Accomplishment: First team All-BRC offensive linemen.
Best BRC Player that you played against: Rice Lake DE Eric Elwood.
Personal Motto/Favorite Quote: “Pain is just weakness leaving the body.”
One word that describes you: Driven.

Jimmy Benrud

Even after the triple-threat of Kasey Kruse, Austin Berend and Levi Kraft graduated in 2009, the Menomonie offense still managed to light up the scoreboard in 2010. They led the BRC in scoring for the second consecutive season and finished as the 63^rd highest scoring team in the state. Year in and year out Joe Labuda and his staff are able to put together a balanced offensive attack that can explode on any given night. The funny thing is, for some of those players, football isn’t even their best sport.

A perfect example is Menomonie tight end Jimmy Benrud.

The 1^st Team All-BRC tight end in 2010 flourished in Labuda’s offense this season as he hauled in 11 catches for 248 yards and two touchdowns as well as rushing 11 times for 33 yards and a pair of touchdowns. As good as he was on the football field, the 180 lb. Benrud was most dangerous when he weighed 30 pounds less and he was in a singlet.

Benrud compiled 90 wins in his career to go along with two regional titles and twice being named 1^st team All-BRC in wrestling. He was recruited by Division III schools for both football and wrestling but a recent injury will most likely keep him off the mat and off the field throughout college.

“I recently injured my back and am done for this season,” Benrud said. “I broke a vertebra so I will most likely not be doing a sport in college.”

Benrud has narrowed down his college search to UW-Lacrosse where he believes he’ll find a great academic atmosphere. Despite his injury, Benrud has still received interest for football via mail from Division III St. Thomas, visits by coaches from Augsburg and UW-Platteville and on Jan. 18 he received a call from a coach at UW-Lacrosse.

Name: Jimmy Benrud
Nickname (s): Jimbo
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 180 lbs.
High School Position (s): TE/WR
Potential College Position (s): WR/TE/FB
40 Time: 4.70 sec.
Max Bench Press: 265 lbs.
Max Parallel Squat: 365 lbs.
Max Power Clean: 190 lbs.
Greatest High School Football Accomplishment: Solo BRC champs in 2010 (thanks River Falls!).
Best BRC player that you played against: Rice Lake DE Eric Elwood.
Personal Motto/Favorite Quote: “Confidence is contagious, so is lack of confidence.”
One word that describes you: Tough.