After a three-year stint as a varsity starter for the Lakeville North Panthers, senior linebacker Jesse Cardenas will be trading in his red and white for a different Panthers uniform.
Cardenas announced on January 12 his decision to play collegiate football for the Division-I Northern Iowa Panthers.
While Cardenas had offers on the table from Air Force, Eastern Michigan, South Dakota, New Mexico, and even Minnesota as a preferred walk-on, Northern Iowa best suited him and his football philosophies.
“I chose Northern Iowa because I felt like it was the best fit for me,” Cardenas said. “I really like the coaches and believe in what they are doing with that program.”
Fellow linebackers close to decision
The 2014 Lakeville North defense was seen as one of the state’s best and the amount of potential collegiate players on the defense further solidifies this.
Senior linebacker Connor Melz told me that he received an offer from Moorhead State, and also said that he has three other schools giving him serious consideration.
Also, In a report from North Star Football’s Adam Rossow, senior linebacker and defensive lineman Dakota Toedter received an offer recently from St. Cloud State.
Both defenders will have the opportunity to sign their National Letters of Intent early February, so the clock is ticking for both to make a decision regarding where they will play collegiate football in the fall.
Nick Kelly 