Pirsig talks about his commitment

Blue Earth (MN) offensive lineman Jonah Pirsig made his commitment to Minnesota on Saturday after taking several months to make a solid decision. The massive lineman and a large entourage of family and friends made the trek north to Minneapolis to commit in person. Pirsig talked to GI.com about why Minnesota was the right place for him.

Pirsig and a dozen family members and friends came to Minneapolis on Saturday to commit to Jerry Kill in person. Pirsig said it was an earlier visit to the campus that really sealed the deal for him.

"When my family and I were up in April for the spring game we all came home with a really great feeling about the school, the coaches, and the football program. It was really after that trip that we all knew that Minnesota had everything that we were looking for and it was where I wanted to be. I waited a little longer to make sure that my decision was final, but really I knew at that point I would be a Gopher."

Up until the Gopher spring game Pirsig had been going back and forth between several schools.

"Before April every time I left a school I felt like it was the right place. I would go to Iowa and think I would go there, then I would go to Wisconsin and think that was the place for me. I never felt that way again after leaving Minnesota. I never got the feeling that a different school was the best place after that. Minnesota has everything I want."

The coaching staff at Minnesota was a major factor in Pirsig's decision.

"Coach Kill and I both have very similar backgrounds. We both come from small towns and we have similar values. We hit it off right away and I always felt very comfortable with him. He is easy to talk to, but he is also very demanding. I like that he is constantly pushing his players to be the best they can both on the field and in the classroom. The whole staff is so easy to talk to and very laid back away from the field. On the field they push players and I love that."

Minnesota is also a great academic fit for Pirsig.

"I want to study exercise science and the U has a great program. From there I can go into any number of fields including orthopedics or physical therapy."

Pirsig is clearly an offensive tackle at the next level, but which side of the line may take time to sort out.

"Coach Limegrover told me he sees me as a left tackle, but that he will not hesitate to put me on the right side if I am ready before the left is open. He told me that he likes I can play on either side as soon as I am ready."

Pirsig has already started to build relationships with his future teammates.

"I would not say that they were pushing me, but guys like Maxx Williams and Philip Nelson were gently persuasive. I have gotten to know Maxx, Philip, Isaac Hayes, and Andre McDonald really well and I am excited to play with those guys. It made it easier to make my decision knowing that I would be going to school with guys I know and who I like. I am excited to play with them at Minnesota. Now I am going to be joining them in helping the coaches to close out this class with the best players we can get. We are on the right path at Minnesota and I will do what I can to help get us there."

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