Here are five former Twin Cities prep athletes who are contributing to their respective schools’ football teams on the collegiate level.
Brian Lankford-Johnson, who played at Cretin-Derham Hall before starring at Palm Bay High School in Florida, is starting for Purdue University at running back and was recently named Big 10 Freshman of the Week. Lankford-Johnson also spent a semester at St. Paul Johnson after leaving Cretin Derham Hall.
Bishop McDonald, whose outstanding play on offense and defense helped put North St. Paul High School on the map last season and who was a Mr. Football finalist, is playing defensive back as a freshmen for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. McDonald was one of the state’s top high school players last season.
Keelon Brookins, the corner back who excelled at the position while at Tartan High School, is in his junior season for nationally ranked Wisconsin. Upon graduation in 2012, Brookins was among the state’s best at his position, which led to a scholarship to play for the Badgers.
D.J. Herbert, who starred at Osseo High School before accepting a scholarship to the University of Northern Iowa, is a starting receiver for the University of Minnesota-Duluth after playing two seasons at UNI. Hebert, now a junior, led Osseo to the Class 4A boys’ basketball crown in 2012.
Tyler Johnson, the do-it-all football player who led Minneapolis North to a 1A runner-up football finish as a quarterback and defensive back and the 1A boys’ basketball title as a guard, is playing well as a freshman wide receiver.
They are definitely representing!
Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald is a contributing columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.