December 8, 2021
On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, Gatorade named Lakeville South High School’s student-athlete Carson Hansen (Jr.) as the 2021-22 Gatorade Minnesota Football Player of the Year. Hansen is only the second Junior in the award’s 37-year history in Minnesota to win this prestigious award and the first Gatorade Minnesota Football Player of the Year to be chosen from Lakeville South High School.
As a running back, Hansen led the Cougars to a 13-0 record and the team’s first state championship in program history. That state championship came on November 26 with a 13-7 victory over Maple Grove in the Class 6A State Football Tournament. Hansen rushed for 2,012 yards, 23 touchdowns and averaged 12.0 yards per carry this season.
“Carson is a complete player. His natural speed and athleticism, combined with uniquely high motivation and drive to be the best he can be, have led Carson to thrive on and off the field,” said Ben Burk, head football coach of Lakeville South High School. “He is an extremely talented and humble player that understands his role well and knows what it means to be a team player.”
Hansen has also excelled in the classroom, maintaining a 3.73 GPA. He enjoys giving back to his community through volunteering at Feed My Starving Children and organizing and running youth football camps.
The Gatorade Player of the Year award was established in 1985 to recognize high-performing student-athletes for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. The selection process is facilitated by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which consists of coaches, scouts, media and other sources.
In addition to this honor, Gatorade has awarded Hansen a $1,000 grant to a local or national organization of his choice through the Gatorade “Play it Forward” platform, helping young student-athletes realize their potential.
As a Gatorade Minnesota Football Player of the Year, Hansen is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award which will be announced later in December. To learn more about this distinguished award, please visit the Gatorade Player of the Year website.
