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Wisconsin Sports Network and WisSports.net are proud to announce Mosinee's Keagan Jirschele as the 2023 recipient of the Jim Leonhard Award as the most outstanding senior defensive back in Wisconsin, part of the WSN Senior Football Awards.

Keagen Jirschele of Mosinee leads the state in interceptions, as his 14 this season are just one away from tying the state record. He recorded 48 tackles along the way with two interception returns for touchdown.

Jirschele is also one of the top receivers in the state with 168 receptions and 37 career touchdowns. 

A two-way All-Conference player, he was also the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year in the Great Northern Conference this season and a key leader on three straight unbeaten league champs.

"Keagen is asked to do a lot for us on the field," said head coach Kyle Stoffel. "When we are on defense he takes control of the secondary from his safety position. He is in charge of making sure everyone knows the coverage we are in, and at times is expected to recognize formations and make the decision of what coverage to use on his own! His tremendous athleticism not only makes him great in coverage and staying over the top to prevent big plays, but also allows him to fill alleys and be great in run support."

Finalists for the award were Jirschele, Jamire Davis of Kenosha St. Joseph, Noah Hait of Kettle Moraine, Paul Kim of Janesville Parker, Sam Ostrenga of Sun Prairie East, and Carson Van Dinter of Kaukauna.

Past winners of the award include Marquette's Michael Trotter (2009), Appleton North's Joe Makeever (2010), Edgar's Kyle Schueller (2011), Whitefish Bay's Jackson Weber (2012), Appleton North's Connor Rolain (2013), Kimberly's Bret Verstegen (2014), Marquette's Michael Crowley (2015), Monona Grove's Jarrett Maier (2016), Waunakee's Lucas Statz (2017), La Crosse Central's David Hayden (2018), Milwaukee Riverside's Amaun Williams (2019), Muskego's Hunter Wohler (2020), Rice Lake's Alex Belongia (2021), and La Crosse Central's Boston Brindley (2022).

The award is named after Jim Leonhard, one of the most beloved players from the state of Wisconsin. Hailing from tiny Tony, Wisconsin and attending Flambeau High School, Leonhard was a two-time All-State selection. He walked-on at the University of Wisconsin, and quickly established himself as a leader and outstanding player. He started 39 games in his career, and his 21 career interceptions are tied for the most in Badger history and fourth in the Big Ten. He also broke the Big Ten punt return yardage record. Leonhard went undrafted, but hooked on with the Buffalo Bills before moving to the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and Cleveland Browns. He returned as an assistant coach and eventually defensive coordinator at Wisconsin.

The voting panel for the WSN Senior Football Awards consisted of:  Travis Wilson, WSN General Manager and Head Football Writer;  Norbert Durst, WSN Content Manager; Dennis Semrau, ESPN Madison; Jonathan Krause, WSCO The Score 95.3 in Appleton; Jimmie Kaska, WEAU in Eau Claire; Dan Barwick, WSN Contributor; Colton Wilson, WSN Content Producer; Fan Vote

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.