Some people master one sport in high school. Matt LaCosse excelled in three. Graduating from Naperville North High School in 2011, LaCosse, standing at 6ft 6in and weighing 255lbs, played baseball, basketball and football at NNHS. During his senior year, LaCosse was Naperville North’s starting quarterback and led them to an IHSA Class 8A quarterfinals appearance. He originally verbally committed to Minnesota until their head coach, Tim Brewster, was fired due to lack of team performance. LaCosse reconsidered and chose to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. At UIUC, LaCosse was converted from a quarterback to a tight end, and didn’t start a game until his Junior year of college. After college, LaCosse was not picked in the seven rounds of the NFL Draft, but was able to sign with the New York Giants where he was a role player for the Giants’ practice squad and made a couple of appearances with the main team from 2015-2017. Near the end of the 2017 season, the Denver Broncos signed LaCosse from the Giants practice squad. Last year, LaCosse made his first start during the season for the Broncos. Still, the Broncos chose not to resign LaCosse, leading to him signing a two-year contract worth $4.8 million with the New England Patriots. He is expected to compete for the starting tight end job this season.

How did North prepare you for playing a professional sport?
“I think NNHS prepared me by teaching me how to be a part of a team and work hard to achieve a common goal.”

What teacher or coach had the biggest impact on you as a person or as a player?
“Jeff Powers was my basketball coach and he taught me how important preparation is and to truly enjoy competing in everything you do.”

What is your favorite memory from North?
“My last basketball game against Benet my senior year. I don’t think the basketball stadium will ever be that packed again.”

Was there a time you knew that you could be a professional athlete?
“My Junior year of college was the first time I thought I might have a chance to play in the NFL. I didn’t actually know I could play in the NFL until my first game against the Vikings on Sunday Night Football.”

At what point in your career do you feel you’ve made the most progress?
“I think last season is when I made the most progress in my career. I was able to start for the Denver Broncos and that experience really helped me improve my overall game.”

What was/is your backup plan if professional sports failed/fails?
“Honestly, I did not have one. Pretty crazy for an undrafted kid to say, but I was just really focused on making my NFL dream happen in any way possible.”