Recruiting Report: Eli Mostaert (2019)
Over the past several seasons the Lakeville North football team has been known for its defense. They have had great players on that side of the ball, but part of their success comes from their multiple sets and multiple packages.…
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Continue ReadingOver the past several seasons the Lakeville North football team has been known for its defense. They have had great players on that side of the ball, but part of their success comes from their multiple sets and multiple packages. For that to work, the Panthers have needed players who can play more than one position.
One of the most versatile defenders last season was junior Eli Mostaert.
In the 2017 season, the Panthers again played tough defense and rode that defense deep into the playoffs.
“We had a good team. Our defense was good all year,” Mostaert said. “I think we gave up eight points a game. When (Eli’s twin brother) Will and I started playing some offense the offense picked it up, and we started to win some games.”
Mostaert felt the strength of the team was the front seven and their ability to stop the run. On a personal level, he was hoping for more.
“I was hoping to get a couple more sacks,” Mostaert admitted. “I didn’t play that much at the beginning of the season, and I started to play better the second half of the season.”
Depending on the offense they were facing, he would move back and forth between defensive end and linebacker. He would also move from position to position if someone needed a break. Up until his sophomore year, he was primarily a linebacker.
“I was pretty big for a linebacker,” Mostaert told NFN, “so I got moved down to the defensive line, and it worked pretty well.”
Mostaert took to his new position quickly.
“The transition was pretty smooth. When I would move back to linebacker, I could move around better. It took some time getting used to being on the line of scrimmage.”
The move did not come without a learning curb.
“When I am at linebacker I can play high,” admitted NFN’s 26th ranked player from the Class of 2019. “At defensive line, I would get off the ball and would come off high. I didn’t stay low enough. I had to get used to staying low.”
Even while getting used to playing multiple positions, Mostaert – even while adjusting to a new position – was effective.
“My size helps but being my size, I am fast, so I can get around the bigger guys, but I can muscle up the smaller linemen. I play with a drive to always make the play.”
On offense, he played some tight end and fullback. This offseason Mostaert came off the bench as a rebounder and defender on the basketball team and threw the shot put and discus on the track team. As far as football goes, Mostaert is focused on a few specific areas.
“I need to work on my flexibility, and I still get pretty high when I come off the ball off the end. I need to work on my hands – getting my hands out and getting off blocks. I didn’t do that very well last year.”
Like his brother, Mostaert has already been to a handful of college camps. He has been to or is going to camps at South Dakota State, Iowa, Iowa State, Wisconsin, North Dakota State and Northern Iowa. He also has the same set of offers as his brother – Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, South Dakota, Western Illinois, Mankato and Air Force.
“They like my motor,” Mostaert said, “and how I get off the ball.”
They are also going to like a player who will give his future coaching staff a versatile player – able to play and do multiple things at multiple positions on both sides of the ball.