File photo by Ari Selvey Sleepy Eye United’s Talan Helget returns a kickoff during a prep football game against Wabasso on Sept. 13, 2024, at Sleepy Eye High School.

MARSHALL — After a strong career with Sleepy Eye United, Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s graduate Talan Helget will be taking his receiving talents to Southwest Minnesota State University for the upcoming football season.

Despite coming from a run-heavy high school program, Helget still stood out as a pass catcher for United, totaling 592 yards on just 28 receptions last season, averaging over 21 yards per reception, with six of those receptions resulting in touchdowns. The 6-4 Helget played a combination of wide receiver and tight end for SEU, with his big-play ability keeping opposing defenses honest.

Helget’s speed and playmaking will be put to use at the tight end position at SMSU, where Helget hopes to get some playing time during his freshman season.

“I’ll for sure be a tight end,” Helget said. “But more of a tight end where I block a few plays, but I run out for routs mostly. I’m not going to be on the offensive line blocking the big guys. More of the smaller guys.”

Helget considered some other options for the next level, including playing baseball, but ultimately he decided to stay closer to home with the Mustangs.

“I had one from Platteville, Wisconsin which I really wanted to go to, but it was kind of far away,” he said. “And it was just easier for me and my family for me to go to Marshall … I knew hockey wasn’t my thing out of high school, but baseball and football, I wanted to try things out and see if I got any offers. I had a few offers for baseball and football from the same schools, but I decided on football. I just like football a little bit better.”

Helget said the opportunity to play college football at the DII level first presented itself at a football camp where college coaches were present.

“Doug Patterson, the offensive coordinator for SMSU came up to talk to me after the camp,” Helget said. “And he offered me and told me about the program and stuff. After that I was deciding if I wanted to go there, so I took an official visit there and experienced what Marshall’s all about and their football program.”

Helget joins a program that is retooling its roster and playbook to find more success.

“I know they’ve been struggling lately in the past couple of seasons,” Helget said. “I know they’re changing up their playbook and formations for their offense. Just trying to get some new things going on with the program to change things around. Hopefully I can get there and help them out with that. And I know their tight end room, they don’t have too many guys, so I’ve got a shot right away as a freshman to get in.”

Helget plans to redshirt his first year, but with a thin tight end room, he sees a path to some playing time early in his career. While redshirting, Helget hopes to put more muscle on his 205-pound frame and become a better blocker and route runner.

“With the new rules, you can still play a couple games of the football season [when you redshirt],” Helget said. “So I could still play a few games while redshirting, so I think I’ll do that”

Helget moves in on August 12 and joins the Mustang’s offseason program the next day. He plans to study social work during his time at SMSU. Long-term, he hopes to grow as both a player and a person at college.

“Get better, get a little bigger in the weight room and just be a better person,” he said.