Shakopee senior DL Deven Eastern can’t wait to make impact with Gophers

While some high school kids are eager to leave the state, Shakopee senior defensive lineman Deven Eastern wanted to stay home.

Eastern popped onto the scene last year and became very recognizable for his pass rushing skills, along with the ability to stop the run.

Eastern tips the scales at 270 pounds, and currently stands 6-feet-5. He had a number of suitors, ranging from the University of Iowa, to Wisconsin, and Ohio State, but it was P.J. Fleck and the Minnesota Gophers where Eastern wanted to be.

***To see interviews with Deven Eastern and his trainer DeVentri Jordan, CLICK PLAY ABOVE***

"I wanted to go somewhere where there was more than just football, where a place could shape me into the man I want to be and Minnesota was just different. I love all the coaches there, and I love the commits. They’re more like family to me. They mean a lot to me, I felt home. I knew the day I went there I knew I already wanted to commit. I told (P.J.) Fleck I’m all in and I wanted to commit on the first day. I wanted to be a Gopher," Deven Eastern told KSTP.

Eastern is a strong-side defensive end who has great speed and athletic ability. Eastern’s trainer, DeVentri Jordan, sees a very high ceiling.

"When he first came in here, I said, ‘Who is this kid?’ He’s big. I knew he was raw and I wanted to strip him down and then build him back up into the player I know he can become. He’s tremendously quick for his size and has incredible strength. I know he’ll do great things at the University of Minnesota. It’ll be great to have him play so close to home. The Gophers got a fantastic player and young man," said Jordan, owner of GameFace Training.

Eastern will have a chance to play his senior season at Shakopee next March with the high school football season shifting from Fall of 2020 to Spring of 2021.