Jespersen signs with Missouri Southern
Posted: February 1, 2012 at 8:48 p.m.
STAFF PHOTO FLIP PUTTHOFF -- Rogers Mounties offensive lineman Thomas Jespersen signs his Missouri Southern scholarship paperwork to the applause of his dad, Ron Jespersen, right, and Mounties offensive line coach Rob Bray.
ROGERS — The coaching change at Missouri Southern University worked out well for Thomas Jespersen.
The former Rogers High offensive tackle was pretty much resigned that his football career was over after last football season. But all that changed when Daryl Daye was named the Lions head football coach in December.
Daye, who was an assistant coach for the Buffalo Bills when hired, decided to bring the triple-option offense to the Joplin, Mo. school and that ended up being a plus for Jespersen.
The Mounties ran the triple option last year and Daye was looking for players who’d played it. A visit to Missouri Southern sealed the deal for Jespersen and the offensive tackle signed a national letter of intent with the school on Wednesday before friends and family at Rogers.
“I got to meet all the coaches and I was really impressed with the new coach, and the facilities,” Jespersen said. “They have a lot of good things happening and I want to be a part of that.”
Jespersen (6-foot-2, 275 pounds) put on more than 45 pounds between his junior and senior seasons and was the anchor of the Mounties offensive line. Rogers installed the triple option after Jespersen’s junior season and he said the transition was an easy one.
“I really loved the new offense, and I was able to find a college that was able to run it,” Jespersen said. “I think it will be a major advantage going to Missouri Southern because I know the offense.”
Rogers did not have a player sign last season and second-year coach Shawn Flannigan said watching Jespersen was a win-win.
“Obviously, it is good for Thomas,” Flannigan said. “Anytime a kid can go to college, play football and get his education paid for, it’s a great thing. It’s also good for our program.”
Mounties offensive line coach Rob Bray said Jespersen’s work ethic will make him a successful college player.
“Hard-nosed, physical player that has come a long way,” Bray said. “He was bothered by an ankle injury this year, but will only get better and better. He had to change his mindset this year as we changed blocking styles.
“He will only get better with his techniques.”
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