Hutchins Set For Senior Season in Division I Football

When the University of Wyoming football team opens their season Sept. 3 against Weber State, the starting left tackle is expected to be John Hutchins, a 6-foot-5, 295 pound senior from Inver Grove Heights.

Hutchins has emerged as a valuable asset for the Cowboys football team heading into his final collegiate season. The 2007 graduate started 10 games last season and has spent time at tackle and guard for the Cowboys, a Division I team that plays in the Mountain West Conference.

His versatility is no surprise. Hutchins was a three-time All-Conference basketball player at Simley who also played for the Minnesota Magic Elite AAU basketball team. He's quick and athletic, yet strong enough to battle for a team that will play college football powerhouses Nebraska, Texas Christian University and Boise State, among others, this year.

"On the field the past two years, it's really been fun to watch John grow as a football player," said Pete Kaligis, offensive line coach at Wyoming. "He's really studied the game and learned how to play smart. He's a physical kid that loves to get in there and mix it up but his athletic ability really helps, especially at left tackle where he faces a lot of speed guys."

The son of Craig and Denise Hutchins, John comes from an athletic family. His brother Corey played football at Delaware State and his sister Vanessa played basketball at Concordia-St. Paul. While he followed the path of those siblings into college athletics, it's the path of his sister Alison that John is tailoring his future after. Alison is a St. Paul police officer and John, a criminal justice major, hopes to become a St. Paul or Minneapolis police officer after college.

"Growing up, my parents always instilled the value of sports and playing as much as possible," said Hutchins. "I used to go to all my brothers and sisters games and I always thought it was cool to watch them compete and play. But playing sports was just a normal part of life for all of us and something we all loved to do."

High school recruiting website rivals.com ranked Hutchins the No. 15 senior in the state of Minnesota during his senior year at Simley. He chose Wyoming over the University of Minnesota, among other schools. During his career, he's played against not only some of the best teams, but players who have eventually moved on to play in the NFL. The life of a Division I football player can be grueling, said Hutchins. It's a year round commitment. Even during the offseason, there is a busy schedule to follow.

"That was probably the biggest adjustment I had to make when I got here," said Hutchins. "In high school you play football for three or four months and are done. But it's just so intense and such a commitment, you have to really learn to be disciplined with your time, school and football."

Hutchins says he gets back to Inver Grove Heights for a few months in the summer. He's excited for the Simley football program he once played for. The Spartans' first-year head coach, Rex King, was a teammate of his brother Corey at Simley and someone John knew growing up through his brother.

"I think he'll do a great job," Hutchins said of King. "He knows football and will make a great connection with those kids. I'm excited for him."

Kaligis is excited for Hutchins, on and off the field.

"I'm really looking forward to how John does this year," he said. "But more importantly, I am just really proud of the man John has become and how hard he's worked on and off the field."