GRAND MEADOW – Grand Meadow senior Landon Jacobson had about as good a high school football career as one can hope for with the Superlarks. Now he’s headed for an even bigger challenge.

Jacobson played in three Class nine man state title games with GM and the Larks won the last two state titles. When it came to making his college choice, Jacobson turned down two scholarship offers to take on a walk-on role with the Winona State University football team and he recently made his verbal commitment to the Warriors. Jacobson will sign his national-letter-of-intent on Wednesday.

One of the offers Jacobson had was a tough one to pass up. GM grad Caleb Leichtnam, who is set to play defensive back at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, is going to and he lobbied for SMSU to give an offer to Jacobson. SMSU came through with the partial scholarship offer, but Jacobson couldn’t turn down a chance to play for Winona State.

“I went on a vist to Winona and I really liked the campus. The coaching staff was really personable and nice. It felt like the players actually liked the campus and the college,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson was a standout running back and linebacker for the Superlarks. Right now Jacobson is preparing to be a running back with the Warriors, but he knows there is a chance he can be moved around.

“They’re bringing me in as an athlete,” Jacobson said. “I’m happy to get the opportunity to come play for them. They know that just because [I played] nine man doesn’t mean it’s not football. It’s going to be different going back to the bottom of the food chain again. I’m excited to get a chance to work my way up and prove myself.”

Winona State went just 4-7 overall this past season, but Jacobson thinks the team will get back to its winning ways soon. Southland grad Alan May will be a senior wide receiver at WSU this Fall and Blooming Prairie senior quarterback John Rumpza will red-shirt at WSU this Fall.

“Before this year Winona had a pretty good history and they had some guys go down with injuries,” Jacobson said. “I know I’m going to be part of a good program. We’ll be alright.”

Jacobson has plenty of size and speed to play at the next level, but one of his biggest challenges will be adjusting to a new offense and getting used to playing with some of the best players in the state and beyond.

“It’s going to be a big jump. Our offense is a lot different than there’s. It might take some time to adjust. I’m excited for the change and going to the next level,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson ran for 1,617 yards (7.1 per carry) and 29 TDs this past season and he hauled in 14 passes for 252 yards (18.0 average) and five TDs. Despite racking up 2,322 total yards, Jacobson had just one lost fumble this season. Jacobson finished his GM career second in Minnesota history with 9,053 career all-purpose yards behind Phillip Nelson of Mankato West, and he finishes seventh in state history with 5,522 career rushing yards. Jacobson scored 96 career TDs, which is the school record for GM. On defense, Jacobson had 140 tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries.