Cardenas has been a regular attendee at the Golden Gopher home games and has helped lead a Panther defense that has had five shutouts so far this season. He is averaging ten tackles per game this season, including 16 versus Prior Lake.
Jesse Cardenas, a 6-2, 205-pound junior linebacker from Lakeville (MN) North, is one of the state’s top defenders in the Class of 2015. Cardenas has been a regular attendee at the Golden Gopher home games and has helped lead a Panther defense that has had five shutouts so far this season. He is averaging 10 tackles per game this season, including 16 versus Prior Lake.
Gopher Hole recently caught up Cardenas to learn more on his recruitment and postseason.
Gopher Hole: Obviously a big win over Burnsville in the first round of the Class 6a playoffs. How pleased are you with how well the team is playing right now?
Jesse Cardenas: I am very pleased. Our defense is doing really well. Jamiah Newell (who rushed for 167 yards versus Burnsville) is running the ball really well. I am happy with our offense and hopefully, we can get that going against Cretin.
Gopher Hole: It is a good test against Cretin, who is not maybe up to the level that they have been in the past, but they are still a very good team that has won six straight games and have some very good players. What are you expecting from the game?
Jesse Cardenas: I expect a good hard game. A defensive battle. Hopefully. Our offense can get something going. It should be a good game. A physical game. Best game of the year, hopefully.
Gopher Hole: I know that I have seen you at quite a few Gopher game this year. What other college games have you had a chance to go to this year?
Jesse Cardenas: I have only been to the Gophers games. That is it. I have been to every home game. I am going down to Augustana next Saturday.
Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to attend many football camps this past summer?
Jesse Cardenas: I went to the “U” Junior Day. I was going to go to the Northern Illinois camp, but I had pneumonia, so I couldn’t go to that one. I went to the “U” one last year.
Gopher Hole: I know that it is still early, but have you thought about what camps you might attend next summer?
Jesse Cardenas: UND. The Wisconsin one. For sure, the “U.”
Gopher Hole: What do you see as your strengths as a football player?
Jesse Cardenas: I think that I am a good leader. A good, physical player. I think that I am active sideline to sideline. Obviously, there are things to improve on like always. The offseason is going to be a hard grind to get better next year.
Gopher Hole: What things are you going to be working on, like you said, to continue to improve yourself as a player?
Jesse Cardenas: Speed. More play. More downhill. Strength. Getting bigger. Playing out of the box better.
Gopher Hole: What is like to play with your twin brother, Jordan, who is a safety?
Jesse Cardenas: It is the best feeling in the world. He is doing really well this year. It is a brotherly bond that can’t be broken. We have been doing it since we were little kids, so it is fun seeing him right behind me. He is always making plays. I don’t have to worry about him.
Gopher Hole: I know that it is still early being on a junior, but what are you hearing from the Gophers?
Jesse Cardenas: Mutual interest. Nothing to hot yet, but they invite to games, obviously. I talk to (linebacker coach) Bill Miller every once in a awhile.