Jesper had 19 catches for 293 yards and two scores versus Maple Grove at TCF Bank Stadium.
Jesper Horsted, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound junior wide receiver from Roseville, was named to the Star Tribune and KARE 11 All-Metro team and Associated Press and St. Paul Pioneer Press first team All-State.
Horsted helped lead the Raiders to a 9-3 mark, losing to Rosemount 35-28 in the Class 6A semifinals. He finished with 82 catches for 1484 yards and 19 touchdowns. Horsted had 62 tackles (22 solo and 40 assists) with one fumble recovery and one interception on the defensive side of the field.
The two-sport standout talked with Gopher Hole recently after a Raiders’ basketball game to talk about the latest on his recruitment.
Gopher Hole: You had a terrific season this year and were named to Star Tribune and KARE 11 All-Metro team and Associated Press and St. Paul Pioneer Press first team All-State. How pleased were you with your season?
Jesper Horsted: I was so pleased. It was a very successful season for myself and the team and it was a lot of fun, too. Very fun playing with my best friend, the quarterback (Jacques Perra).
Gopher Hole: Obviously that relationship proved to be pretty helpful for both of you guys because you seemed to have such great chemistry between the two of you. I know that you worked a lot in the offseason together. How big of a factor was that in having such as good friend also be the quarterback?
Jesper Horsted: It was huge and it helped in the offseason, for sure with just having that time together. We were together so much, we could just play that much more and get that much more practice and get a feel for each other that much more and also on the field. He would just read what I was running and we would be on the same page almost all the time.
Gopher Hole: I don’t know how much you know about next year’s quarterback situation, but do you have somebody that can step in?
Jesper Horsted: The crazy thing is that if there is one friend that I have know for longer, it is the next quarterback coming in, since before we were both one. We went to the same preschool and has been my second best friend, so it will be good next year, too. That relationship will be there.
Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to go to many college camps last year?
Jesper Horsted: None, this summer. I wasn’t aware that it would be this successful, but this summer I plan to go to very many.
Gopher Hole: Do you know what camps you are thinking about attending or have you thought that far yet?
Jesper Horsted: Not that far. For sure, Minnesota because it is so close. Hopefully, some more Midwest ones. It depends a little bit more on what happens.
Gopher Hole: I saw you at quite a few Gopher games this fall? Did you get a chance to go to any other game?
Jesper Horsted: Just Gophers.
Gopher Hole: Minnesota is looking at Jacques as a preferred walk-on. Have you talked to him much about recruiting because that is something that you are going to have to deal with this upcoming year?
Jesper Horsted: Yes. I for sure get some advice from him on what camps I should attend and what schools he likes. Whenever he hears from a coach, he mentions me, which is really helpful. It seems like he is fairly open still with it. He is trying to keep his options open.
Gopher Hole: The Gophers are looking at you and your best game on the season was at TCF Bank Stadium (19 catches for 293 yards and two scores versus Maple Grove). Have you talked to the Gophers much and what are you hearing from them?
Jesper Horsted: A little bit. I get some letters from them pretty consistently. It was after that game, so it hasn’t been that much time. It has been a little over a month, I think.
Gopher Hole: What things are you going to be working on in the offseason to continue to improve yourself as a wide receiver?
Jesper Horsted: I would like to improve my strength more and blocking and footwork. That is my main goals.
Gopher Hole: You play basketball. Do you think that helps you in terms of footwork?
Jesper Horsted: Absolutely and it keeps me in shape in the offseason and helps on the defensive side, too. I see it a lot there as well.
Gopher Hole: Do you play any sports in the spring?
Jesper Horsted: Baseball. Outfield
Gopher Hole: You had a great season this past year, making it to the Final Four of the state. What are the expectations for next year? I know you lose some key seniors, including your quarterback, but having the success that you had this season has got to get you even more fired up for next year.
Jesper Horsted: It really is. We lost our conference championship and our school has never won one before, so that is really my goal going into next season and also make another run come playoff time. I believe we can. We have a really good team returning.