Burlington Central’s OLB/ATH 2017 Erik Hansen has only 1 roster offer and is hungry for more. We talked him picking up another sport to improve his athleticism, what he can bring to the table for a college program and what is next for his recruiting.

You can find Erik on Twitter @Erikkk_Hansen.

Erik Hansen

Outside Linebacker/Athlete
Burlington Central
Burlington, IL

Ht: 6’2″
Wt: 205 lbs
Class: 2017

Commitment status: Undecided

LPI: Your season came to an end after you guys finished at 3-6. What are you going to do this offseason to take your game to the next level?

EH: First off, I would like to say our record doesn’t reflect the talent of the players on my team. We started off the season playing some great teams, which made us really grow as a football program. That competition sharpened our teams’ skill and cohesiveness, so that at the end of our season we began racking up the wins. My team had great chemistry, and I am going to miss playing with them. To get better in the off season I am going to wrestle and possibly run track. In addition, I am going to continue lifting every day to increase muscle mass and strength. I also plan on attending a speed school to increase my explosiveness.

LPI: You currently have a roster offer from D3 Benedictine. What are your greatest strengths or why should more schools offer you?

EH: I am very happy to have an offer from Benedictine University. They are a winning football team with a great coaching staff. I hope to receive more offers in the near future. Overall, I am a hard-working, focused, and physical player. I was my team captain, and have always been a leader by example. Defensively, my greatest strengths are finding a way to sack the quarterback when the defense needs a big play (9 sacks), and being aggressive when making tackles (24 tackles for loss). Offensively, my greatest strengths are being a powerhouse running back with good balance. I also am very good at keeping my blocks when playing H-back and catching passes when given the opportunity. All these positions I played have made me very versatile, and able to play almost any position on the field.

LPI: Offer or not, which schools have you kept in contact with the most? Or which schools have shown interest in you?

EH: The schools that have kept in contact with me the most include: Murray State University (D1-FCS), Northern Michigan University (D2), University of Minnesota Mankato (D2), St. Cloud State University (D2), University of Steven’s Point (D3), Benedictine University (D3), North Central University (D3), and St. Francis University (NAIA). Other schools have made contact with me, but I believe the schools listed above are the most interested in me.

LPI: Where have you visited most recently and do you have any visits coming up?

EH: I have gone to game day visits with Murray State, North Central, Steven’s Point, and Benedictine University. Next weekend, I am attending a Northern Michigan game day visit. I hope to schedule some official visits soon.

LPI: Who are some of your teammates that you believe have a chance to play at the next level, but may be getting overlooked by college coaches?

EH: All my teammates in my opinion have what it takes to play at the next level, but the individuals that stuck out the most to me this season are the following.

Raven Slim: He’s a senior who plays middle linebacker and defensive end. He is an extremely intelligent football player who knows our defense inside and out. He is a 2 year varsity starter and a team captain as well. He has always been a great leader and motivator on and off the field. He is very good at getting to where the ball is and wrapping up. I can truly say I will miss running out on to the field with him every Friday night.

Brett Lopez: A 6 foot 285lb senior who plays defensive and offensive tackle. In addition to that, he is a 3 year varsity starter. What makes Brett special is his ability to be light on his feet and being quick to the ball. Not only is he quick, but he also can always be counted on to stop plays up the middle. Overall a great athlete and an amazing teammate to have on the roster. He definitely has the potential to have a great college football career.

Dionte Pierre: A senior who plays running back. He did not play his junior year, but you would not know that when you watch him play. He always fights for every yard when running the ball and break tons of tackles. He could also be counted on for being lightning fast in the open field. He was our go to player to get points on the board for our team. He also never bragged about how good he could run the ball, and he always gave the credit to our hardworking offensive line which is very respectable. He always had faith in our team, even when we were at our lowest.

Jimmy Fay: A senior and a team captain as well. He is also a 2 year varsity starter. He plays both sides of the ball at safety and wide receiver. I have been playing football with Jimmy since 7th grade, and he has always amazed me with his speed and aggressiveness. He is an overall great athlete and has great foot work. He isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder and knock defenders down. In addition on defense his speed makes him great at covering passes, and flying down to get in on a tackle.

Sam Easterly: He is a junior that plays linebacker and defensive End. He is one of the hardest working individuals I have met. He always pushes himself to his limits in the weight room and on the field. He is exceptional at hitting hard and being in the right places on the defense. He is going to do big things next year for Burlington.