North’s Mondeau commits to playing for Indiana

With a handful of offers in his junior season, Eau Claire North’s Kenton Mondeau is set to pursue his dream of playing in the Big Ten Conference. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound left tackle verbally committed to Indiana University last week.

Mondeau’s name grew popular in the college football scene. His offers included; Iowa State, Army, Air Force, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Wake Forest, Indiana and Sacramento State.

The Hoosiers made their first College Football Playoff appearance in 2024. An 11-2 record made for an historic season for the team.

Mondeau felt a favorable connection with the Hoosiers’ offensive line coach, Bob Bostad.

“He’s a great coach,” Mondeau said. “He came and visited me multiple times at school, I went down there once. He’s a good guy, my parents like him and it just felt right.”

He said at times it got a little stressful with having to stay in contact with a long list of coaches, but once that Big Ten offer was there, the curtain closed.

“The Hoosiers were my only Big Ten offer and it was just huge to me,” he said. “Big Ten is what I’ve always watched since I could walk and to have this opportunity is just a dream come true.”

River Falls offensive lineman Samuel Simpson will be joining Mondeau and the Hoosiers in 2026. Mondeau and Simpson are two of Wisconsin’s top high school players.

Mondeau is ready to go into his senior season with the Huskies with less weight on his shoulders and a clear mind.

“It is a sigh of relief, especially with a year left of my high school career,” he said. “It feels good to finally feel settled. I don’t have to worry too much about football until I have to get to work and lock in.”

Last season, Mondeau tallied 14 total tackles, three tackles for losses and one fumble recovery, earning all-conference first team.

Football has been a part of Mondeau’s life for as long as he can remember.

“Growing up, my family and I have always watched Packer games and the Badgers. Football was just constantly on,” he said. “We’re a football family, my brothers played and my dad played.”

As a little boy, Mondeau was in every football league imaginable.

“I started playing flag football through elementary school then jumped to tackle in the sixth grade,” he said. “That’s when I started playing offensive line because I was bigger for my age. And I just continued to be on the O-line into high school.”

As Mondeau will step on the football field for the last time in his high school career, he is grateful for the Huskies and the memories that have been made.

“North has really meant a lot to me and my career,” Mondeau said. “I just hope to finish strong. I hope to accomplish getting first team all-state, and of course, bring my team to the playoffs.”