Mesabi Range College holds its annual football camp with a special NFL guest

Summer camp season is upon us and at Mountain Iron-Buh High School on Thursday, Minnesota North College-Mesabi Range held its annual Pepper Lysaker Football Camp with a special guest in attendance.

Former Norseman and current NFL defensive tackle, Tennessee Titan, Sam Okuayinonu shared his experience with kids whose shoes he was once in.

“I remember going to a couple of these camps when I was younger and how much they helped me along my journey. Meeting guys that were in the league and looking up to them, and being where they want to be one day when I was a kid. So, if I can inspire just one person here today, it’d be great.” Okuayinonu said.

When it comes to these camps, there are so many fundamentals that these kids learn that they can take with them when they suit up in the fall.

“Definitely how to do routes better and how to defend better. I need to learn those because I’m just starting football again,” said Proctor High School incoming freshman Jeremiah Koski. He plays both wide receiver and defensive back.

Hibbing High School incoming sophomore and linebacker, and hopefully running back, Samuel Blevins added, “Footwork is key. If your footwork is not down and you’re tripping yourself up, kind of dangling your feet, you will not succeed, and you will probably get tackled. You get your foot where it down, and as long as you’re good on your feet, you will be fine.”

This was the fourth year that the Rangers held this camp for students, ranging from 7th through 12th grade.