The Minnesota Gophers are bringing in a local kid to possible their future kicking duties on the football field. Bemidji HS kicker, Kyle Fodness announced his decision to play football for the Gophers on Monday.

Fodness stepped in for his high school's football team after their starting kicker went down with an injury. Interestingly enough, Fodness, a soccer player originally, did not join the team until the midseason because he was battling his own ankle injury.

Gophers officials watched and instructed Fodness during a couple of kicking camps and also viewed videos of Fodness in action.

Those officials were impressed with what they saw and in late April Fodness received a phone call from Gopher coach Jerry Kill.

The report from the Bemidji Pioneer says Fodness will redshirt his freshman year and look to challenge for starting place kicker in 2013.

Bemidji High Football Kyle Fodness Profile - Lakeland News Sports - November 23, 2011.m4v (via LakelandPTV)

You can see more of Fodness' kicking highlights from the 2011 season on his Hudl profile.

To discuss Minnesota Golden Gophers football, head over to SB Nation's The Daily Gopher.