New John Marshall FB coach discusses past JM alum and Adam Thielen

(ABC 6 News) — With the NFL Draft this weekend, it’s a reminder for high schoolers with NFL dreams that their dreams can still be reality.

John Marshall has the distinction of being the old stomping grounds for two familiar football faces for Minnesota. Golden Gophers running back star Darrel Thompson was a Rocket once upon a time as was Marcus Sherels, who still hold multiple punt return records for the Vikings.

New Rockets head coach Kyle Riggott understands their impact still sets a precedent for the young men he is currently taking over.

"Those two are just great images of what it means to work hard and climb a ladder and get to something that you’ve dreamed about," Riggott said. "I think it’s great for our kids to see that and still have hope and know that it’s a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck."

And when those kids get to college, the grind is harder still. Riggott knows this from being college teammates with current Vikings star Adam Thielen at MSU-Mankato.

"I was blessed to play with Adam for two years, we were road roommates on road games," Riggott recollected. "I always tell people I was surprised when he made it, no longer is that the case. Adam was always an incredible worker. His work ethic was second to none,"

It’s an example Riggott aspires to demonstrate to the Rockets as the new season begins in the fall.

"I hope I can help communicate that effectively to our kids at John Marshall of what it really does take in terms of work and then competitiveness."