Brooks Bakko is having the kind of high school career that turns heads - and not just in North Dakota.
The Kindred junior is coming off a dream year, one that saw him hit a buzzer-beating tip-in to clinch a state basketball title last spring - the kind of moment that lives forever in small-town highlight reels. But hoops is just part of the story.
On the football field, Bakko has been nothing short of dominant. A three-time All-Region and All-State selection, he capped off his fall campaign by earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors for the state.
That’s a rare trifecta for a high school athlete, and it’s put him squarely on the radar of major college football programs.
One of those programs? The University of Minnesota - and they’re not just window-shopping.
The Gophers have already built a pipeline to Kindred, with redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Riley Sunram currently on the roster. They’ve also extended an offer to 2027 offensive lineman Luke Starcevic, another standout from the same high school.
Bakko, though, was the first - landing his offer from Minnesota nearly a year ago, and it’s clear he remains a top priority.
Tight ends coach Eric Koehler has been leading the charge for the Gophers. He’s been in regular contact with Bakko and made not one, but two trips to Kindred last month alone. That kind of face time matters, especially in a recruiting world where relationships are everything.
“It was cool when Minnesota came up to Kindred,” Bakko said. “It showed how much they cared and said how I can help their program.”
Bakko’s bond with Koehler is already strong, and while he’s not rushing his recruiting process, it’s clear the Gophers have made an impression.
“I’ve been hearing mainly from some Big Ten schools along with a couple of Big 12 schools,” he added, but Minnesota continues to be in the mix in a big way.
At 6-foot-4 with a versatile skill set, Bakko projects as a tight end at the next level - a position that’s become increasingly valuable in today’s college offenses. He brings the kind of athleticism you’d expect from a multi-sport standout, with the toughness and football IQ that’s earned him statewide recognition.
There’s still time before Bakko makes a decision, but one thing is clear: schools are lining up for a shot at the Kindred star, and Minnesota is doing everything it can to stay at the front of that line.