APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – Under the bright lights of draft week, NFL prospects are scrutinized from every angle. But long before the national spotlight, many of those players are simply teenagers chasing big dreams on local fields.
West De Pere grad has sights set on the NFL
For offensive line prospect Evan Beernsten, that journey began under the Friday night lights at Appleton North High School.
“Out of high school, I wasn’t heavily recruited,” Beernsten said. “I was a tight end that played his last six games at O-line, but South Dakota State took a chance on me.”
Beernsten’s path wasn’t linear. He started at Bay Port High School before finishing his prep career at Appleton North, where his development began to accelerate.
The opportunity to play at South Dakota State ultimately set him on course toward this week, where he hopes to hear his name called in the NFL draft.
“A dream scenario would be playing for the Packers,” said Beernsten, a Green Bay native. “That would be a full-circle moment. But honestly, any team that takes a chance on me would be amazing.”
There is already a connection to Green Bay. Beernsten remains close with former college teammate Tucker Kraft, now a tight end for the Packers.
“We all stay connected,” Beernsten said. “He’s been boating with me a couple of times in Wisconsin. We still talk to this day.”
Throughout Beernsten’s football journey, he has been tested by adversity. Injuries, illness and setbacks followed him through high school and college. But Appleton North head coach Rob Salem believes those challenges have shaped Beernsten into the player he is today.
“Early on, he was a playful guy, liked to joke around, and you wondered how far he’d go,” Salem said. “But late in his junior year and into his senior year, he really came into his own and showed the potential to be a high-level athlete.”
During his senior season, Beernsten battled mononucleosis, losing significant weight and falling off some recruiting radars. Coaches worked to get him exposure, eventually connecting him with South Dakota State.
From there, the obstacles continued, including a shoulder injury in college. Still, Beernsten persisted.
“You always wondered if he was going to stick with it through all the challenges. And he did,” Salem said. “He blossomed into a great player.”
Beernsten’s growth led to a breakout career at South Dakota State, where he was part of two national championship teams, before finishing at Northwestern. There, he proved he could compete at the highest level of college football.
“He had the athletic ability, the toughness, and the football smarts,” Salem said. “Then he had a dominating year in the Big Ten that showed he might be able to play at the professional level.”
Salem said Beernsten remains grounded and continues to reflect the values of his community.
“He’s still the most humble kid, and was a great teammate. Kids loved him,” Salem said. “He’s a great example that the path isn’t always easy, but if you keep working, you can get there.”
Beernsten hopes that the message resonates with younger athletes.
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“There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Just put your head down, keep working, and lean on the people around you,” Berensten said. “When everything’s against you, stack your chips on your side and go all in, because that’s what it’s all about.”
If selected in the 2026 NFL draft, Berensten would become the first player from Appleton North High School to reach the league.
