Recruiting: Minnesota DL Hans Pederson selects Army

Hans Pederson’s energy and effort discouraged offenses from running the football at him. 

When teams did run Pederson’s way, the play resulted in a tackle for loss and strung to the sideline.

”I’m just a disruptive player,” Pederson said. “I truly don’t stop until the whistle blows.”

Pederson’s defensive profile, at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, fits Army defensive coordinator Nate Woody’s scheme. 

Army fit what Pederson was looking for in college football and academics. Pederson committed to Army tight ends coach Seth Hestness visited the Buffalo (Minn.) junior Wednesday.

“I didn’t know a ton about it (Army and West Point but when I started looking into it, it was a no brainer for me to take the offer,” Pederson said. “Something I wanted in a school was high academics and West Point offered that, and something that not everyone has the opportunity to do, so I wanted the road less traveled.”

Pederson, who carries a 4.0 grade-point average, visited Army for the Black and Gold spring game in. April and left impressed. He was also considering North Dakota State and had an offer from Kent State.

“The biggest things that stood out (on his visit) was the brotherhood on the team, and the success I will have leaving from West Point,” Pederson said.