Prospect Spotlight: Connor Braaten – Cambridge-Isanti (2021)
The Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets struggled through a one-win season in 2019, but the team’s progress went well beyond their record. They will have another season running a new offense and return plenty of starters – including quarterback Connor Braaten Connor Braaten…
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Continue ReadingThe Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets struggled through a one-win season in 2019, but the team’s progress went well beyond their record. They will have another season running a new offense and return plenty of starters – including quarterback Connor Braaten Connor Braaten 6'4" | QB Cambridge-Isanti | 2021 State MN .
“Obviously, we struggled a little bit, but I think part of it is going from the Wing T now trying to spread it out and throw the rock,” Braaten explained. “The seniors did a great job sticking through it. This year I am excited because we should have guys in the right places, and everyone has experience.”
Braaten likes what the team has to offer at the skill positions, but knows their success started upfront.
“Defensively, if we were controlling the line of scrimmage, it would allow our linebackers to fly in make plays. Then when they passed the ball, our corners were good. On offense, when we were able to run the ball and throw off play-action, that kept people off balance.”
Braaten threw for over 1000 yards and eight touchdowns.
“I thought I had a good season. I could have improved in a few places – not having as many turnovers.”
The senior has been playing on Friday nights since early in his high school career.
“I have been the varsity kicker and punter since ninth grade, and I have been the starting quarterback since junior year.”
Braaten feels his strengths lie both in his physical and mental abilities.
“I think my strengths are reading the defense – picking out who I should get the ball to – and my arm strength – which allows me to get the ball into tight windows.”
He is not relying on his arm strength to be good enough for his senior year.
“I have been focused on my arm strength and working on my feet and drops,” Braaten told prepredzone.com. “I have been working with my receivers a lot too.”
Typically, Braaten stays busy athletically all year round.
“On the basketball team, I played center. I am a good defender, but I can score the ball as well. In baseball, I pitch and play basically all the infield positions. I hit for a good average and have a good arm to throw out runners.”
Obviously, Braaten did not play baseball this spring.
“Right when quarantine started, I was able to get some weights and a bar and a rack, so I was able to do a full lifting workout. I would go for runs – anything to stay in shape.”
As the restrictions have eased, Braaten’s workload has continued.
“I lift three days a week, and I have been doing seven on seven workouts and conditioning workouts with my guys – anything to build chemistry.”
Building chemistry might continue into the spring. Braaten did not like to hear the season was being moved but has made the best of the situation.
“It hurt, it sucked, but I am happy that I will still be able to play with my guys one more year. It has given us more time to get better individually and as a team.”
Braaten – who enjoys bass fishing, hiking, and cooking (a skill he learned to appreciate from his grandmother) – has received interest from the college level – but not as a quarterback.
“Recruiting has been going well. I have been talking to a few teams. I have been to Sioux Falls, Augustana, and South Dakota. It seems like Sioux Falls, Minnesota-Duluth, Northern State, Concordia, and Moorhead State have been talking to me the most. They are recruiting me as a tight end or wide receiver. They are saying that it would be best for me to play those positions because of my build.”
Braaten does not need to worry about a position switch – yet.
“They have all told me to focus on quarterback right now. When they get me in college, they can start the transfer. I am okay with moving positions – whatever I can do to help the team I am going to.”
“They like my size,” Braaten continued. “I am 6’4″ 220 pounds. They like how I move my feet. They like my grit. I have talked to some DII colleges for basketball and baseball, but right now, I am focused on football for college.”
Before football in college, Braaten has some more work to do in high school – trying to help his team get back on the winning track.