Bryson Lonberger can’t hide his passion for football.
For the Minneapolis senior, the excitement surrounding a new season isn’t centered on personal accolades or the spotlight. Instead, it’s about returning to the field with his teammates and embracing everything the sport demands.
“I am most excited about just playing football,” Lonberger said. “I know it’s pretty basic, but it’s true. Football is the best sport there is. It shows character, discipline and how tough you really are. Who doesn’t get excited about that?”
That enthusiasm has fueled a productive offseason as Lonberger prepares to take on an even bigger role in Minneapolis’ offense.
Rather than simply maintaining his game, Lonberger focused on expanding it. He dedicated extra time to individual offensive work to become a more versatile weapon while also helping prepare the Lions’ new quarterback for the upcoming season. His summer included attending camps, including one at Emporia State, to sharpen his skills against quality competition.
“This offseason I’ve put more individual work offensively so I can be used in various different ways in our playbook,” Lonberger said. “I’ve also been getting our new quarterback ready for this upcoming season.”
While his physical development has been important, Lonberger believes his greatest opportunity for growth comes as a leader.
With Minneapolis returning plenty of talent, he sees leadership as the missing ingredient that can help the Lions reach their potential.
“I’m wanting to improve on my leadership this season,” Lonberger said. “Our team has the players. We just need someone to give them motivation, and I want to fill that role to the fullest.”
Lonberger has taken that responsibility seriously by investing time away from football to strengthen relationships throughout the roster.
“To work on that, I’ve spent time off the field with the guys I’m going to be playing with, as well as getting to know most of the younger guys,” he said.
As for his goals, Lonberger isn’t shy about setting a lofty individual benchmark. He hopes to eclipse 1,200 rushing yards while helping Minneapolis compete every Friday night.
“Individually, my goal is to get at least 1,200 yards on the ground,” Lonberger said. “For the team, I want us to do our best. If we give everything we’ve got, that’s all I can ask for.”
