Recruiting Report: RJ Chakolis (2021)
Being ranked the #1 linebacker in all of Minnesota for your class while going into your sophomore year tends to add at least a bit more pressure to most high school football players, but Hopkins’ RJ Chakolis is not like most high school…
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Continue ReadingBeing ranked the #1 linebacker in all of Minnesota for your class while going into your sophomore year tends to add at least a bit more pressure to most high school football players, but Hopkins’ RJ Chakolis is not like most high school football players. His freshman season, the 5’10 215 lb. Chakolis posted 101 tackles, with 12 TFL’s, and two defensive TD’s and was named All District First Team as a 14 year old. He followed that up last year with 124 tackles (87 solo), 10 TFL’s, 3 sacks, and 2 FF’s. The awards also grew, as he was the 2018 District Co-Player of the Year and was named to the Sports Jam All Area team. That winter, Chakolis also went 44-4 on the wrestling mat, and was ranked in the Guillotine Top 10 almost all year while qualifying for the Minnesota state tournament again. Expectations are high for the junior and his Hopkins Royal squad in 2019, so I was excited to get the opportunity to interview Chakolis for Northstar Football News. Let’s see what the LB/RB had to say about 2019, the Hopkins Royals, and his recruitment.
NFN: Share with us a little bit about yourself, RJ.
Chakolis: “I’m from Minneapolis, Minnesota and I started playing football when I was four for Brooklyn Center Youth Football. I love math and working out and I love football because it’s a physical sport and a place where you have to depend on your brother. I’m 5’10 215 and my 40 is 4.83. I bench 300 and squat 430.”
NFN: In your own words please describe Hopkins season last year in 2019 as well as your year personally!
Chakolis: “Last year as a team we were very young and struggled at times because we weren’t very disciplined as a whole. But we also had some really great athletes so we were able to make big plays. This year I was named Captain and I believe we have a very smart and high character group of guys so it’s very east to work with and also have a lot of fun. Last year I was named All Area, Suburban Blue District player of the year, team MVP, and won the hardest hitter award.”
NFN: What are expectations for yourself and Hopkins’ season in 2019? How have you built on last year?
Chakolis: “This year as a team I expect us to have a positive record and be able to compete and win some games after the regular season. Personally I want to be named All Metro and All State as well as receive some scholarship offers. This off-season was huge, from lifting to running and also competing I played 7v7 for TC Elite and we won the King of the North tournament. Playing at Hopkins is great because you get to play in front of an awesome crowd and a great community.”
NFN: How were the first five games of the 2019 season so far?
Chakolis: “Our first game we played Apple Valley. We won, and I played well and was named the Applebees Player of the Week after I had around 13-15 tackles and blocked a punt. Next we played Armstrong and we had a tough game and lost but I had 10 tackles and a sack but we still came up short. Then we played Forest Lake and we won. I had 12 tackles, a safety, and a sack. Then we played Chanhassen and won and I had 10 tackles, and interception, and 4 TFL’s. Finally we played Spring Lake Park and it was a good, close game, but we lost and I had 9 tackles. I also am our teams punt returner and receiver.”
NFN: What can you tell us about your recruitment and the process it has been for you thus far?
Chakolis: “Schools that I am interested in are the Minnesota Gophers, Iowa State, NDSU, SDSU, Yale, UNI, USD, UND, Dartmouth, and Western Illinois. I have taken gameday visits to the Gophers, Iowa State, SDSU, and this weekend I am going to USD. Being the #1 ILB in MN for the class of ’21 is a cool thing and it pushes me to be better. My dream and goal is to play football at a Big10 college and I want to go to a school where it feels like home and also where I will play. Recruiting is going really well and I can’t wait to see if I get any offers after this year’s film and also take some more visits.”
I’m sure we will be hearing more about RJ Chakolis and his Hopkins’ teammates soon.
Midseason Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Br3bG