Mentor Football: players of the decade

Over the last 23 years head coach Steve Trivisonno molded Mentor into one of Ohio’s top football programs. The Cardinals went 209-70 and earned 19 postseason appearances under Trivisonno, who retired following last season - a 13-1 campaign that ended in the state semifinals. Matt Gray was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach.

Over the last 10 years, Mentor is a four-time state semifinalist with 105-25 record, two state finals appearances (2013 and 2017) and a Mr. Football winner. Below we take a look at our Top 10 Players over that span.

1. Mitchell Trubisky, QB (2013)
One of Ohio’s top offensive players in history threw for 9,126 career yards and 92 touchdowns and rushed for 1,559 career yards and 33 touchdowns. Ohio’s 2012 Mr. Football winner accounted for 4,900 total yards and 60 touchdowns as a senior as Mentor went 12-2 and advanced to the D-I state semifinals. After attending the University of North Carolina, Trubiksy was drafted No. 2 overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2017 NFL Draft. He’s thrown for 8,554 yards and 48 touchdowns in three years and 41 starts.

2. Connor Krizancic, WR/QB (2014)
Versatility defined Krizancic who threw for 33 career touchdowns, ran for 33 career touchdowns and caught 28 career touchdown passes. After excelling as a receiver as a sophomore and junior, he moved to quarterback senior season and helped the Cardinals finish 13-2 and D-I state runner-up. Krizancic threw for 3,250 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 1,455 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior en route to earning the state’s D-I Offensive Player of the Year award. His attempts (55), completions (36) and yards (419) in Mentor’s 55-52 state final loss to Moeller are still OHSAA Division I championship game records. Attended Minnesota as a receiver before transferring to Ohio University to play quarterback. Concussions cut his college career short. Was a member of Mentor’s 2013 D-I state champion basketball team.

3. Ryan Jacoby, OL (2019)
First team All-Ohio as junior and senior. Four-star recruit was a Top 25 tackle prospect nationally and the No. 7 overall prospect in Ohio as a senior. Currently a sophomore at Ohio State.

4. Noah Potter, DL (2019)
Two-time All-Ohio selection was the Northeast Lakes District Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Four-star recruit was a Top 25 strongside defensive end prospect nationally and the No. 9 overall prospect in Ohio as a senior. Finished with 158 career tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss and 16 sacks. Currently a sophomore at Ohio State.

5. Tadas Tatarunas, QB (2018)
Three-year starter finished with 8,694 career passing yards and 78 touchdowns. Also rushed for 588 yards and 11 touchdowns. First team All-Ohio as a senior when he threw for 3,424 yards and 31 touchdowns and led the Cardinals to the Division I state championship game. Was a Top 100 pro-style QB prospect nationally and a Top 100 Ohio prospect overall as a senior. Plays at Walsh.

6. Tom Strobel, DL (2012)
Mentor’s first four-star prospect attended Michigan and played one year at Ohio University as well. Was considered the country’s No. 10 weakside defensive end prospect nationally and the No. 10 overall prospect in Ohio as a senior. Also played basketball for Mentor. Had 59 tackles and 11 sacks as a senior.

7. Brandon Fritts, WR (2014)
Had 166 career receptions for 2,920 yards and 36 touchdowns as one of Trubisky’s favorite targets. One of most memorable outings was the night he caught 14 passes for 243 yards and four touchdowns in a 63-56 D-I regional semifinal win over St. Edward in 2012. Went to North Carolina where he excelled at tight end. Was a Top 50 overall prospect in Ohio as a senior. Was a member of Mentor’s 2013 D-I state champion basketball team.

8. Ian Kipp, QB (2021)
Threw for 2,314 yards and 22 touchdowns and ran for 849 yards and 14 touchdowns last season en route to being named Ohio’s Division I Co-Offensive player of the Year and a finalist for Mr. Football. Considered the No. 31 dual-threat quarterback prospect nationally and a Top 50 Ohio prospect overall. Has 3,525 career passing yards, 1,449 career rushing yards and 56 total touchdowns.

9. Alex Mathews, RB (2016)
Ran for 3,148 career yards and 50 touchdowns. Named All-Ohio as a senior. Played at Colgate.

10. Brian Trobel, RB (2020)
Two-time first team All-Ohio selection had two 1,300-plus rushing seasons. Finished career with 3,055 rushing yards and 47 total touchdowns.

Honorable Mention
Ryan Bischof, LB (2017)
Eddie Daugherty, RB (2015)
Jake Floriea, QB (2015)
Luke Floriea, WR (2020)
Kurt Laseak, LB (2012)

Nick Samac, OL (2019)