Gophers commit Luke Ryerse boots 56-yard field goal in East Ridge's win over Lakeville North

Ryerse is committed to play both baseball and football at the U.

Minnesota mascot Goldie Gopher leads the crowd in a cheer after Minnesota scored against California in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sept. 19, 2009. / Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Gophers football and baseball commit Luke Ryerse has a big leg. A really big leg. 

The East Ridge High School senior booted a 56-yard field goal, the second-longest in state history, as his Raptors blew out No. 1 Lakeville North 41-17 Friday night.

East Ridge 17, Lakeville North 10 at half

56 yard field goal @LukeRyerse @PIPressPreps, @MNFootballHub,@David_LaVaque, @JimPaulsen, @StribSports, @MinnesotaScores, @rshaver11, @kare11,@KSTPSports, @SBLiveMN

— East Ridge HS Football (Raptors End Zone Club) (@EndZoneClub) October 12, 2024

Ryerse, a kicker and punter, was previously committed to Alabama before flipping to the Gophers in July. 

Committed. #GoGophers @GopherBaseball @GopherFootball @DJPeterson pic.twitter.com/vkC70skbnT

— Luke Ryerse (@LukeRyerse) July 28, 2024

In addition to his big leg, Ryerse is also a versatile baseball player who’s played just about everywhere on the field. He was named the Pioneer Press East Metro Player of the Year in 2023 as a sophomore after hitting .337 with five homers and 30 RBIs in addition to his 5-1 record as a pitcher, where he posted a 2.57 earned-run average and even picked up a save. 

It’s not often you see two-sport stars commit to Division I programs to play both, but it’s clear the East Ridge senior is a special talent. And he has a really, really big leg.