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University of Minnesota Athletics
Future Gopher Q&A: Peter Westerhaus
6/10/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
GopherSports.com will be posting interviews with all the newest Gophers from the 2011 signing class throughout the remainder of the spring and summer. The next profile in the series is a conversation with Chanhassen, Minn. native and Holy Family High School product Peter Westerhaus
A linebacker, Westerhaus was ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the state of Minnesota by Rivals.com. He was the No. 68 outside linebacker in the nation, according to Rivals. ESPN/Scouts Inc. called him the No. 100 linebacker in the country, while Scout.com ranked him at No. 70 as a tight end. Rivals and Scout both gave him a three-star ranking.
| Peter Westerhaus |
GopherSports.com: Now that summer is right around the corner, has it sunk in that you're officially a Golden Gopher?
Peter Westerhaus: "Yeah, I would say it has. I'm really excited. Going down to practice and seeing that, I can't wait. I think it will really sink in the most once I get down there and start going to class."
GopherSports.com: What made you want to come to Minnesota?
Peter Westerhaus: "It's the Big Ten. A hometown team. I just think that the program is going in the right direction. I really do and I want to be a part of that. I think this program can help me become the best football player that I can be."
GopherSports.com: How excited are you to be playing for your home state?
Peter Westerhaus: "I am really excited. It is going to be fun. I'm playing for Minnesota. Having that as a home state can give you a little extra juice."
GopherSports.com: When did you decide that you wanted to play Division I football?
Peter Westerhaus: "When I was a really little kid. My dad introduced me to football and I fell in love with it. I said I wanted to play in the NFL and I want to play Division I Football. I was really little, probably first grade. I fell in love with football."
GopherSports.com: What are some of your goals for your first season as a Golden Gopher?
Peter Westerhaus: "I want to play. I want to contribute to the team. I have been working hard toward that."
GopherSports.com: What are some of your long-term goals for your college career?
Peter Westerhaus: "Personally, I really want to be a dominating player. I'll try to be All-Big Ten, really an All-American would be a goal I want to strive for. And ultimately, I'd like to play at the next level in the NFL. As far as the team, obviously to win the Big Ten. That's the most important goal that I have. I want to win the Big Ten and a few bowl games as well."
GopherSports.com: What is your role going to be on the team the first year?
Peter Westerhaus: "I think mostly linebacker. They said I am athletic so I should come in and be ready to play special teams or something like that. We'll see what happens but that is what they have been saying."
GopherSports.com: What are you most looking forward to at the U?
Peter Westerhaus: "I can't wait to play football and get a great education. It will be competitive football. I am really excited for that. Working hard. Being around a group of guys that really want it and strive to win."
GopherSports.com: What is your favorite football memory?
Peter Westerhaus: "That's tough. I would say my favorite high school memory would be when we beat De La Salle. We beat them to go on to the state championship. We lost the state championship, which wasn't good. I would say the feeling after that win was so special. And it was with a great group of my buddies."
GopherSports.com: Is there anyone that you've idolized throughout your football career? If so, who and why?
Peter Westerhaus: "Recently, in the past couple of years, I love Jared Allen. I think he is just awesome. He plays at such a high level of intensity. Clay Matthews is the same way. There are quite a few football players that I like but I'd say those are the ones I have kind of looked up to and enjoyed watching them play. Jack Lambert, too. He's an old-time football player. My dad kind of introduced him to me when I was really little."
GopherSports.com: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Peter Westerhaus: "I like to get some sleep and listen to music. Listen to music until it is time to strap it up and play and go to that place."
GopherSports.com: Do you play any other sports along with football?
Peter Westerhaus: "I used to play basketball, baseball, and lacrosse. I played lacrosse freshman year [of high school]. I played varsity for that but stopped playing to work out. I am just focused on football now and I work out in the off-season."
GopherSports.com: What is some of your favorite music to listen to?
Peter Westerhaus: "I like rap music and I like country music too. It is kind of a weird mix. Honestly, the artist doesn't matter as long as it gets me fired up."
GopherSports.com: What are your favorite movies?
Peter Westerhaus: "I love the movie Black Hawk Down. There are a lot of movies that I like but that one is probably the top. That and Remember the Titans. I think that is a great movie too."
GopherSports.com: Do you have any hidden talents that not many people know about?
Peter Westerhaus: "It's not a good hidden talent. I sleep-walk and sleep-talk a lot. Also I can juggle. I am pretty good at juggling."
GopherSports.com: Do you have anything else you'd like to say to Gopher fans who are reading this?
Peter Westerhaus: "We're going to work hard. We're going to try to compete in the Big Ten, win ball games and work to represent this state. It's going to be a fun ride."
-Interview by Athletic Communications Assistant Kate Wadman
