Prospect Spotlight: Daniel Erlandson – Breckenridge (2021)
If you are looking for a well-rounded high school football player – on and off the field – you could not do much better than Breckenridge’s Daniel Erlandson Daniel Erlandson ATH Breckenridge | 2021 State MN . He plays both…
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Continue ReadingIf you are looking for a well-rounded high school football player – on and off the field – you could not do much better than Breckenridge’s
Daniel Erlandson
Daniel
Erlandson
ATH
Breckenridge | 2021
State
MN
. He plays both ways on the football field, is a two-time state place winner in wrestling, and is a jack of all trades on the track team. What Erlandson is most proud of is an honor he received because he excels off the field of competition.
On the field, the Cowboys started slowly – losing three of their first five games. Then, they found their identity, won five straight, and nearly made it to the state tournament.
“We always pride ourselves on being physical,” Erlandson said. “The coaches always say, we can learn all these plays, but when it comes down to it, whichever team is tougher is going to win. We finally got that through our heads after the Barnesville (the Cowboys’ last regular-season loss) game.”
Along with their mindset, the offense sped up.
“When we were quick with our blocks and quick-hitting the hole, defenses didn’t have time to react,” Erlandson said. “At mid-season, we got used to running fast – not just when we were running the ball – but being fast getting to blocks.”
“On defense, when our defensive linemen fought their way across the blocker’s nose,” Erlandson continued, “and we got two or three guys to the ball, it helped the linebackers make plays.”
The physical style of play fits perfectly with Erlandson’s skill set.
“I am not exactly a wide receiver. One thing I can do is block, hit guys, and finish. I am usually a lead blocker or our power back. Originally, I was going to carry the ball more. The first game of the season, I had 100 yards rushing. Towards the end of the season, teams started keying on me – especially when I was blocking. As the season went on, I became more of a decoy. I love running the ball, but I also love blocking.”
Erlandson plays multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball.
“I am more of an in the box player on defense. It would depend on what kind of personnel or formation the opponent would have. Against a spread team, I usually would play middle linebacker. Against teams with a more compact offense, I would play nose tackle or defensive tackle. I think my best defensive trait is my defensive IQ. I am able to feel what the offense is doing. I think I have good instincts.”
Erlandson has a high IQ off the field too. He was one of 36 juniors nominated for the ExCEL Award – Excellence in Community, Education, and Leadership. The award recognizes Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, who show leadership qualities and volunteer their time within the community.
“That is probably the award I am most proud of,” Erlandson told prepredzone.com. “I love football, but football will end someday. It is more important to be a good person off the field.”
Erlandson, who has been a varsity starter since midway through his freshman year and a two-way starter since the beginning of his sophomore year, has focused on studying film this offseason. Before the offseason, Erlandson excelled on the wrestling mat.
“As a sophomore, I got sixth at State 220A. This year, things were clicking – especially at the end of the season. This year I took fourth place, and I also set the school record for pins in a season. I usually use a blast double – which is basically a football tackle – that is my bread and butter.”
Erlandson would have been a three-sport athlete.
“I would have thrown disc and shot. I would have run some combination of the 100, 200, 400-meter runs and some combination of relays.”
The 6’0″ 220 athlete made the most of everyone’s forced time off.
“Our coaches set up some online workouts based on what each guy could do,” Erlandson explained. “I was able to get some old weights and a bench high school. I have been working on my explosiveness – with cleans and deadlifts.”
When the football season moved to the spring, Erlandson has tried to stay positive.
“We do get to have football. There is nothing we can do about it. This stinks, but we can take the next six months to get better.”
He can also take the next six months to expand his college football opportunities. He is being recruited both as a fullback and defensive lineman.
’I have been talked to by some NDSU coaches and some UND coaches. I have talked to Augustana, Bemidji State, Jamestown, Valley City, River Falls, Bethel, and Concordia-Moorhead.”
No matter where Erlandson ends up, he is sure to excel.