Cover Photo Credit: Varsity Views

Hinsdale Central’s 2017 OG Drew Christensen talked school’s he’s been in touch with, his commitment to his offseason regimen and how being an Eagle Scout has helped him develop into a leader.

You can find Drew on Twitter @DChristensen_13.

Drew Christensen

Offensive Guard
Hinsdale Central
Hinsdale, IL

Ht: 6’2″
Wt: 270 lbs
Class: 2017

Commitment status: Undecided

Photo Credit: Varsity Views

LPI: You guys finished the season very well at 9-1, but fell to a tough Waubonsie Valley team in the first round of the playoffs. Now that your season is over, what are you going to do to take your game to the next level?

DC: I’ve already started working out every day in the morning, trying to get my strength back and eventually above where I was at before the season. I need to work on lateral quickness a lot this offseason as well because it is key when playing on the line.

LPI: You currently have offers from FCS Valpo and NAIA Olivet Nazarene. What are your greatest strengths or what can you bring to the table for a college football program?

DC: I bring a hardworking football player who is always ready to get to work. I grind every day to become the best that I can possibly be and, more importantly, help my team become the best that they can be. I take pride in the work I put in the weight room as well as the classroom because they are equally as important to me.

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

DC: I have been in contact with Drake University probably the most out of all of the schools I am in contact with. I have visited there more than once and really like the coaches and the facilities. Also in the FCS, I have been keeping in touch with some Ivy League teams, mainly Dartmouth College and I am big fan of the program they have there. I have also been in contact with Hillsdale College and Bentley University in Division II. Division III, I am in contact with the University of Chicago, Hope College, Knox College, as well as many others.

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

DC: I have most recently visited Valparaiso University this past Saturday and I really liked what I saw. Valpo has top notch facilities and the coaching staff is truly dedicated to improving the football program.

LPI: On or off the field, how do you demonstrate leadership?

DC: Being an Eagle Scout I feel like it comes natural to me to lead others. On the field I did my best to stay calm in intense high pressure situations and I think other guys fed off of that. It is important to be under control when the game is on the line because a mistake could be what costs you the game. I also would encourage guys when they were in a slump or did mess up on a play to just forget about it and move on to the next one, because having a short memory is important in football so the other team doesn’t get a psychological advantage. I lead by example more-so than being the loud leader, but I knew when to be vocal as well and I think I improved on that through my three years of playing varsity football.

LPI: You guys have some good recruits with yourself, Niko Ivanisevic, Josh Bean, Dorion Pollard, Matt Bjorson and Brian Foley receiving recruiting attention. Who are some of your other teammates that you believe have a chance to play at the next level, but may be getting overlooked by college coaches?

DC: I am going to start off by saying coaches need to be on the lookout for Luke Skokna these next few seasons. The kid is only a sophomore, but runs like he’s a fifth year senior. Not having played with him before in the beginning of the season I wasn’t sure how a sophomore running back would perform, but then I saw him play. I loved how he fought for every yard and would bully kids trying to tackle him. He had an outstanding sophomore season, and it was a pleasure blocking for him. I also want to mention, wide receiver, Max Mittelstadt who more coaches should know about. I think Max can play at the next level because there is still so much potential left in him after a great Senior Season. He won most improved offensive player for our team this year and it is truly crazy how much he worked to become one of the best wide outs we had. Another wide receiver/slot/running back would be Garrett Oakey , kid is extremely fast and has great hands. He can play multiple skill positions and I think that can help him if he wants to play at the next level, because coaches have options where they think he will fit in best. On the line, Chris Wagner and Tommy Kavanagh are two senior interior offensive lineman who could play at the next level if they want to. Wags played right guard for us and has a great first punch when pass blocking and is really solid at stopping the pass rusher’s feet. Tommy is a very aggressive lineman and is never afraid if there is a zero in front of him. He is capable of snapping the ball and then blocking the nose guard fluently and can also play guard as well. On the defensive side of the ball, I have to give credit where credit is due, and Peter Pigatti has what it takes to play at the next level. Coaches shake him off because of his size, but I have never met anyone who works harder than Pigatti. He makes up for his small size with enormous strength and his drive. I have gone up against D-lineman pushing three hundred but Peter is significantly more difficult to block than those type of defensive tackles. Also, linebacker Gianni Frasca is someone who people don’t pay much attention to because of his size, but I don’t think there is anyone who hits harder than Frasca. He led the team in tackles this season and still managed to come play offensive series for us at H-Back and that just shows how hard of a worker the kid is.