PACE — Since graduating from Pace High School in 2013, the University of Minnesota’s Ryan Santoso has made a name for himself in the Big Ten Conference.
While being a semifinalist in his sophomore season last year, the football player’s name is once again on the Lou Groza preseason watch list. As a semifinalist, Santoso made the top 20 on the watch list. He has also earned All Big Ten Third Team honors.
Watch list semifinalists will be announced Nov. 3; top three finalists, Nov. 22; and the national winner, Dec. 8 during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show, according to lougrozaaward.com.
Santoso, 20, took the time to answer questions about his time with the Pace Patriots and what to expect from his upcoming collegiate football season.
Minnesota begins their season at home against Oregon State on Sept. 1.
This season, the University of Minnesota plans to have you at the punter position as well as kicking field goals. How have you been transitioning to playing a greater role on special teams?
“I was fortunate to sit behind Peter Mortell the last two years. (He) is with the Green Bay Packers right now and he has been super-influential with my life in general, but on the football field he has helped me out daily at practice. I have learned a lot from him and I ask him questions all of the time.”
“With the transition, I don’t think it will be too tough because I did both (positions) in high school. So, I am experienced in both, but I know the college level is a little different than high school. So, I have some different expectations, but I am excited none the less.
“I think it is going to be a great opportunity for me to provide in different ways for the team, to do my part and help the team win as much as possible.”
How has playing with the Pace Patriots brought you to where you are today?
“Coach (Mickey) Lindsey really develops his players more as men and athletes. He really cares about their character, because he knows that maybe two or three of the guys will play at the next level and he is realistic with that.
“(I) definitely learned more about how to grow up, how to be mature, how to take on the world; just take it day-by-day and try to not take too much at time.”
What are some of your fondest memories on playing with Patriots?
“You got to remember those Friday night lights and those packed stadiums. It is an experience that you will never forget. Nothing like having the hometown fans sitting right there a couple feet away from you on the sidelines, cheering you on.”
“Patriots days were a lot of fun, I have a lot of great memories there. Great wins in that stadium. Coaches were super influential. I had a lot of great teammates who helped me get to where I am. I wouldn’t have got there without the support. The Pace community has behind me ever since I took a step on that football field, it has helped me a lot.”
What have some of the highlights been for you at the University of Minnesota?
“Just coming back from behind when people were against us … It kind of reminds me of Pace a little bit; of how we are always the underdog and how we can always overcome those challenges that we face. When the team comes together, just a bunch of brothers fighting for each other and giving it our all.”
Do you feel like Minnesota is still considered an underdog of the Big Ten Conference?
“I think we are getting noticed a little bit more in the Big Ten and respected a little bit more. I feel like a lot of the guys that get recruited to Minnesota have been overlooked by those other big schools. A lot of us have that chip on our shoulder. Yeah, we are not going to Ohio State, or Michigan…but we are still coming to a great institution and playing in the Big Ten.”
How do you handle high-pressure situations?
“Something that I have really grown in since I have been in college … is just understanding that everything happens for a reason and all I can do is give my best effort.
“So, whether I make it or miss it, it’s not the approval of the people that I am looking for, because people are going to let you down. Like, I may let down my teammates at times, so you can’t put all of your worth in other people.
For me, when I go out there I have confidence that ‘Okay, I am a pretty good kicker, I can handle these certain situations, I have kicked a ball a million times.’
You just got to hit it the same every time, and got to know that whether you make it or miss it, you still have teammates who are going to love you, you still have parents that are going to love you. You don’t need to please everyone.
“You are not going to please everyone in life. As hard as that may sound, and as bad as that may sound, when I go out there (on the field) I am not afraid to miss.”
What are your plans outside college football?
“I am doing a sport management degree with an emphasis on business and I graduate in the fall. I will pursue a master’s degree next year.”
Any thoughts on kicking at the next level?
“Absolutely. It has been something that I have been set towards. The NFL has been a dream of mine ever since I have been playing football. Being able to have that platform to impact the community and the younger generation, I think it’s overlooked at times.
“So when you make it to the next level in the NFL, you have a bigger community to impact.
“I feel like I do have the ability to one day play in the NFL. I feel like I have the resources and the ability. It is something I definitely want to pursue down the road.”
Did you anticipate your talents as a kicker and punter would have taken you this far?
“Not at all. I actually almost quit football in high school because I wanted to pursue college soccer, but I think I made the right choice of sticking with football.
“So, as the years go on, I feel like the reality of being an NFL football player is becoming more realistic. God works in different ways, and time will tell where you will end up.”
BY THE NUMBERS
●Last season, Ryan Santoso had a field goal percentage of 81 percent – making 17 of 21 field goals and making 31 extra point conversions.
●Santoso’s longest field goal to date on the collegiate level is from 52 yards.
●According to gophersports.com, Santoso has made 29-39 field goals with Minnesota, along with converting 76 of 77 point after attempts. He has scored 29 field goals and 76 point after touchdowns, along with kicking off 128 times and recording 64 touchbacks.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Pace native kicking it big for University of Minnesota