By Jon Akre

605 Sports

LENNOX — Drake Mikkelsen will play college football for the Golden Gophers.

Lennox’s 6-foot-5, 205-pound junior announced his commitment to play football at the University of Minnesota on April 6.

The Easter weekend announcement ended three months of recruiting mayhem for the three-sport standout athlete.

“It was a cool experience, it did all happen fast,” Mikkelsen said of his recruitment. “The start of January is when I received my first offer from Michigan State, then that same day Kansas State happened and then that Friday Minnesota happened. A bunch more just kept flowing in so it was a lot, but it was a cool experience just getting to meet some new people and building relationships with them.”

In total, Mikkelsen held eight other FBS offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Boise State, Colorado State, and North Dakota State. He also received offers to both in-state FCS schools in South Dakota State and South Dakota.

Row The Boat, Ski-U-Mah, and Go Gophers!!! @CoachKoehler @CoachHarbaugh @Coach_Fleck pic.twitter.com/TDfdaB2AsU

; Drake Mikkelsen (@Drake_Mikkelsen) April 6, 2026

But Mikkelsen says it was the relationship he built with Minnesota tight ends coach Eric Koehler that made the biggest impact on his decision.

“When it came down to it, I’ve known coach Koehler, the tight ends coach the longest and he’s been recruiting me for over a year now so I was really excited to get the opportunity from Minnesota.

“The relationship with coach Koehler that I have is just tremendous,” Mikkelsen said. “I feel like because he’s been recruiting me the longest, he really had the time to do things the right way. He got to know me, he got to know my family, he came to one of my basketball games and that’s something I really appreciate because with some of these schools it might feel like they’re just calling and offering you, and it really makes me question how much they really know me.”

And while he’s a standout wide receiver in the Dak-XII Conference, Mikkelsen will play tight end in the Big 10 Conference, but says he’s excited to make the move at the next level.

“I think it’s an amazing opportunity,” Mikkelsen said. “It’s a very cool experience to get to play in the Big 10 so I’m very excited about that. It’s definitely not something I take for granted. I’m excited to be coached and just be around the best competition possible because that’s what I want, to be the best player and person I can be.”

Mikkelsen is a four-star prospect in the Class of 2027 and the second-ranked player in the state according to 247Sports.com, only behind Pierre’s Cooper Terwilliger.

Last season for the state runner-up Orioles, the two-time all-state wideout caught 53 passes for 880 yards and 15 touchdowns, totaling 2,250 yards and 36 touchdowns in his high school career.

And with a highly-anticipated senior season coming up in the fall, Mikkelsen says he’s relieved to have this decision made early, crediting his parents (Luke and Jessica) and Lennox coach Shawn Flanagan for helping him along the way.

Lennox's Drake Mikkelsen (2) runs past a defender during the Class 11A state championship game against Sioux Falls Christian last season. (Matt Gade / 605 Sports)

“It is a relief to have it out of the way, but also it’s a relief in knowing that I feel like I made the right decision,” Mikkelsen said. “I took a lot of time and I did a lot of research. I’d also like to credit my parents and coach Flanagan, they helped me through the process a lot and they always made sure to remind me that it’s my decision. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

And Mikkelsen will continue the family tradition of college football players. His father, Luke, was a punter for the University of South Dakota while uncles Chris Mikkelsen, Shea and Jim Williams also played for the ‘Yotes as well.

But before he starts his chapter with the Golden Gophers, he’ll get one more chance at a state football title with the Orioles.

“Everyday at practice, we’re always competing, that’s why I love our team so much,” Mikkelsen said. “I wouldn’t have been able to be where I am today without my teammates. It’s just incredible the way we compete, but it’s such a tight bond and a family. I feel like we have very high standards for next season, I think there’s no reason that we shouldn’t be back in the state championship.”