Football Across Minnesota: Gophers Top QB Recruit Jackson Kollock Honors Sister Lost to SIDS

Jackson Kollock was devastated by the loss of his sister, Catalina Raine, but football helped him through the pain. He’s now a top quarterback prospect in Laguna Beach (Calif.) and committed to the Gophers.

FOOTBALL ACROSS MINNESOTA | Week 6

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF. – Jackson Kollock enters the football coaches’ office an hour after school, bringing bags of sandwiches from a nearby shop. The star quarterback at Laguna Beach High not only shines on the field but off it as well, taking care of the pregame meal for his coaches and teammates.

A commit to the Gophers, Kollock has been managing a minor arm injury leading up to Friday’s home game, raising concerns about his availability. However, he has always been resolute about playing. Coaches still recall last year when he participated in a 7-on-7 event with a broken throwing hand, determined to showcase his skills against California’s top talent.

In the office, coach John Shanahan checks in to ensure Kollock feels ready to compete before running through the game plan. Kollock responds to every coaching directive with a respectful “Yes, coach.”

Both coaches and school administrators praise Kollock for his strong work ethic, character, and leadership qualities.

Kollock’s commitment to being a role model is deeply personal. He wears the initials “CR” in eye black on his cheek as a tribute to his sister, Catalina Raine, who tragically passed away from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 2017 when she was just 32 days old. At the time, Jackson had just turned 12.

“I couldn’t be who I am today without her,” he said. “She taught me how precious every moment is. That drives my work ethic. Football has become a refuge for me, a way to channel my emotions. It’s my safe space.”

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Kollock faced significant grief after his sister’s passing. As the eldest of five siblings, he became the protective older brother to four sisters, grappling with a shattered world as he transitioned into his teenage years.

“You’re living in a perfect family one moment, and then your world is turned upside down,” said his mother, Teresa. “It changed his outlook on life significantly. He understands the value of every moment and doesn’t take anything for granted. That’s likely a big part of why he’s achieved so much—his dedication is evident every day.”

Kollock hadn’t played tackle football before the loss of his sister; he was focused on baseball as a talented pitcher. The family tragedy changed everything for him.

He lost interest in baseball, and a coach encouraged him to explore football, where he found a new passion that allowed him to express his emotions positively. His skills as a pitcher translated well to his role as a quarterback, and his parents sought out specialized training for him. In eighth grade, he joined a sports academy called The Togethership, which caters to elite athletes with education and training.

At the academy, former NFL quarterback Jordan Palmer worked with quarterbacks preparing for the league or the scouting combine, including notable players like Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Trevor Lawrence. During workouts, Palmer often needed students to catch passes, and although Kollock wasn’t a receiver, he eagerly seized the chance to catch from Allen, the Buffalo Bills’ strong-armed QB.

“My thumb is probably still messed up from catching Josh Allen’s throws,” he joked. “He really zipped it in there. It was an incredible experience.”

For his freshman year, Kollock played at Santa Margarita Catholic, a well-known football program about 45 minutes from his hometown. Laguna Beach doesn’t have a strong football tradition; most kids in this coastal town prefer surfing.

“I’m probably the only kid who doesn’t surf here,” he laughed. “While everyone else is out on the water, I’m on the field. I tried it a couple of times but realized it wasn’t for me.”

Despite this, Kollock felt a strong connection to Laguna Beach and wanted to represent his hometown. He transferred back for his sophomore year, leading Laguna Beach to its first California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) section championship since 1946.

Recently, Laguna Beach improved to 7-0 thanks to another impressive performance from Kollock, who boasts a 25-3 record as a starter. Over his career, he has thrown for 6,679 yards and 87 touchdowns with only 14 interceptions, as well as rushing for 687 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Rated as the 29th-best quarterback recruit nationally by 247Sports, Kollock’s abilities extend beyond his strong arm. He is the second-fastest player on his team and won a CIF title in shot put after starting track in his sophomore year.

“Phenomenal kid in every way,” said Shanahan, the football coach. “He’s a great brother, son, and friend—just a happy-go-lucky kid without a trace of arrogance. His work ethic is incredible, and it’s a joy to coach him.”

Connection with Fleck

Kollock initially committed to the University of Washington, but a coaching change led him to shift his focus to the Gophers. Throughout his recruitment, offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. kept in touch.

Kollock and his family also feel a personal connection to coach P.J. Fleck, who created his “Row the Boat” mantra after facing the loss of his newborn son, Colt, due to a heart condition.

“I think connecting with someone who understands part of what he’s gone through was significant for Jackson,” said Teresa. “My husband and I felt the same way.”

The Kollocks have found hope through various sources, including the arrival of their sixth child, Kingston, who is now five and looks up to his big brother.

Catalina’s birthday is in November, and she would have turned seven this year. Jackson plans to honor her memory during the playoffs by writing her initials on his cheek before games.

“We celebrate her and talk about her all the time,” Teresa noted.

Kollock also intends to celebrate his sister with his first tattoo, a design honoring Catalina that he’s currently working on.

He pays tribute to her every day by dedicating himself to whatever he does, having found purpose and a safe space on the football field when he needed it the most. He promises to never take that for granted.

Top That, Big Brother

Another Ryerse with a Kick for the Ages
East Ridge kicker Luke Ryerse consistently tells coaches about the distance he feels comfortable kicking field goals. In ideal scenarios, he estimates his “reasonable max” at 62 or 63 yards, although he has made longer kicks in practice.

During pregame warmups at Lakeville North, Ryerse successfully made kicks from 60 yards. The senior, set to play both football and baseball for the Gophers next year, was called to attempt a 56-yarder at the end of the first half.

As soon as he kicked the ball, he turned to high-five his holder, fully confident in the outcome.

“I felt like I struck it solidly,” he commented.

And he did, as it became the second-longest field goal in state history during a surprising 41-17 victory over the top-ranked and previously undefeated Lakeville North.

Ryerse’s kick was just one yard shy of the state record of 57 yards, set by Fabian Kleinschumacher of Climax-Fisher in 2003.

However, he still gained some bragging rights at home.

His brother Grant, who previously kicked for the Gophers, hit a 55-yarder for East Ridge against Stillwater in 2016.

Luke launched a fundraising initiative called Kicking Against Cancer to support the Tackle Cancer campaign. Grant, now Luke’s kicking coach at East Ridge, promised to make a bonus contribution if Luke surpassed his personal best of 55 yards.

“Time to pay up, big brother.”

But Ryerse’s performance on Friday wasn’t just about one long kick; he averaged 45.3 yards on three punts and executed a successful onside kick in the second half.

Ranked as the state’s top baseball prospect, Ryerse initially planned to play both football and baseball at Alabama. However, the new coaching staff that took over from Nick Saban was less accommodating to this plan, leading Ryerse to switch his commitment to Minnesota.

“For now, I’m committed to both sports and want to continue for as long as I can,” he stated. “I know there may come a time when I’m told I can’t do that anymore, but I’m going to keep it going for as long as possible.”

He has teamed up with Fleck and Gophers baseball coach Ty McDevitt to create a plan that allows him to compete as both a punter and a pitcher during the fall and spring seasons.

Ryerse intends to concentrate on punting in college, especially since the Gophers are bringing in another talented kicker, Daniel Jackson from Alexandria, who recently made a 54-yard field goal.

Ryerse and Jackson share a close friendship that began at a kicking camp in St. Cloud when they were in eighth grade, and they have attended various kicking camps together over the years.

Ryerse mentioned that he will act as the holder for Jackson and step in as a kicker if necessary, which will be a significant advantage for Fleck’s special teams unit.

WEEKEND REWIND

Game Balls

• Koi Perich: The Gophers freshman safety shifted the momentum in the game against UCLA with his first interception and clinched the victory with his second pick on the final play. His four interceptions are the highest for a freshman in Gophers history.
• Aaron Syverson: The St. John’s quarterback threw for 399 yards and five touchdowns, including a 76-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Wheeler in the last two minutes, sealing a 38-31 win over Concordia (Moorhead).
• Jack Breitbach: The Gustavus Adolphus receiver tallied 122 receiving yards in a 51-13 triumph over St. Scholastica, making him the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 3,310, which ranks sixth in MIAC history.

He Said What?! “I can’t thank all of our fans enough. There were over 15,000 in the Rose Bowl. We even gave them a game ball. This was special — significant for our program and for our fans.”

— P.J. Fleck on the impressive turnout of Gophers fans who traveled to Pasadena for Saturday’s game.

Numbers to Know

• 13: Interceptions by the Gophers defense, tied for the most in FBS and already one more than last season’s total.
• 66: Career touchdown passes for Minnesota State Moorhead junior Jack Strand, setting a new school record.
• 1: Remaining undefeated team in Class 6A — Maple Grove.

UP NEXT

Grab Your Popcorn Vikings vs. Detroit Lions, 12 p.m., Sunday, U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings return from a bye at 5-0, while the Lions stand at 4-1. Both teams boast the highest point differential in the NFL, combining for a plus-123. This matchup features two of the league’s top teams.

DAILY DELIVERY + FAM

Friday Night Lights, Laguna Beach Style Every week this season, my colleague Michael Rand and I will discuss a few FAM topics and share our conversation on YouTube. This week, we focused on Laguna Beach quarterback Jackson Kollock, a commit to the Gophers. Check out our video right here.

A FAM FINAL WORD

“Granddaddy” The late Keith Jackson famously referred to the Rose Bowl Game as the “Granddaddy of Them All.” While the Gophers may not have fully experienced the grandeur of the bowl game and parade, those fans who attended will surely attest to the unique charm of the setting against the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains.