This past football season, running back Caleb Rist of Des Lacs-Burlington certainly made an impact for the Lakers on the gridiron. Because of his exploits on the field, Rist is now a highly sought-after college recruit.

Coming off a 4-5 season the year before, Rist helped his team to a 9-2 finish in 2021 which included an appearance in the NDHSAA 11B State Playoffs. For the season, Rist totaled 1,520 yards on the ground along with 18 rushing touchdowns and served as one of the club’s senior captains.

Following his stellar senior campaign, Rist participated in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl this past Monday. The contest was played at the home arena for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. While Rist and Team West came up on the short end of a 27-23 final score, the former Laker rusher made the most of the opportunity by scoring a touchdown in the ballgame.

Rist now turns his attention to Signing Day, which falls on Feb. 2. This is the initial date for Division I and II football recruits to sign a National Letter of Intent. According to 5-foot-11 halfback, he says his official decision will remain a secret until that date. All told, the football standout estimates he has visited about 10 colleges and has enjoyed the recruiting process.

“It’s been really cool traveling around and seeing what these colleges have to offer,” Rist tells The Minot Daily News. “I’m really looking forward to becoming a part of the college football brotherhood and being a part of something special.”

As he prepares for the next level of football, Rist says one of his main goals is to work his way into a backfield rotation by his freshman or sophomore year. From a skills standpoint, Rist’s former head coach Taylor Teske states that it will be hard to deny Rist an opportunity to break into a regular rotational role.

“He’s a very strong and physical north-south runner that runs well behind his pads and he becomes harder to tackle as the game goes along,” Teske says of his former player. “Caleb is one of the upper-tier athletes I’ve coached.”

In addition to Rist’s overall talent level, Teske believes it is his character as a strong leader that will allow him to excel as a college football player. A vocal leader for the Lakers, Rist also played linebacker in addition to being a featured runner during his senior year.

“Caleb really exemplifies a terrific work ethic and passion for football. Over the time I’ve known him, he has gone to many different football camps to work on his craft and improve. Putting all that time into the game shows how dedicated he is. Caleb is willing to do whatever is asked of him and will be a great benefit to the college he decides to go to,” Teske adds.