Owensboro freshman lineman Jak Lindsey was named a MaxPreps First-Team All-American earlier this week, the lone player in Kentucky to be named to the team.
Lindsey started at center during the Red Devils’ playoff run that ended in a loss to Bowling Green in the KHSAA Class 5A State Championship at Kroger Field in Lexington.
“It’s a huge honor,” Lindsey said. “It feels great, and I am truly blessed.”
Lindsey said he’s learned a lot in just his first season on the varsity roster.
“I have learned to take in all advice from the upperclassman, know your opponent, study film, and how to handle myself on the field,” he said.
Lindsey was under center to one of the top quarterbacks in the country in the Class of 2022 as junior Gavin Wimsatt recently narrowed down his top nine schools.
The freshman said it’s been great learning from Wimsatt.
“It feels really good knowing that I’m a part of something that is not my own success,” he said. “Gavin is a great player and teammate, and his success is well deserved. It’s awesome being a part of a unit that protects him.”
Head coaches are important in every sport and Lindsey said Owensboro coach Jay Fallin, the KFCA Class 5A Coach of the Year, was vital to his success this season.
“Coach Fallin has challenged me to become the best football player I can be,” he said. “He has helped form me into a better man. Not only does he encourage us to set individual goals, he helps us to achieve them as well.”
Fallin said he’s proud of his freshman.
“Jak has all the tools to be a very special player- great size and athleticism, tremendous work ethic, and, most importantly, he is a tremendous teammate,” Fallin said. “He loves the grind and wants to be pushed and coached hard.”
As he now looks forward to next season, Lindsey said he’s ready to get back to work and prepare for another playoff run.
With what the Red Devils have returning, he’s not the only one with that on his mind.
“This offseason, I’m working on overall polishing every aspect of my game,” he said. “I’m looking to not only get stronger, but also get quicker and more agile.”
