With the Ivy League deciding Wednesday not to play football this fall because of the pandemic, former Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep linebacker Brock Locnikar will look at options.

He was pumped last year when he committed to Harvard football. On Monday, Harvard announced that fall classes would be taught on-line with not all students on campus.

Locnikar said Wednesday he might explore the possibility of doing amateur MMA fights to keep his intensity up.

“It’s so crazy and sad,” said Locnikar, who led big schools in tackles last season when he made All-Arizona. “All I want is to be able to play football.

“Spring is up in the air right now and I am not sure it will happen. Everyday I am training like the season is a week away. If I can’t play this year I will use it as a redshirt season, which I usually wouldn’t have at an Ivy.

“I will either go to school and complete my online education or take a gap year. If I can’t play any football this year, I may take the opportunity to have some amateur fights to keep my intensity up.”

When he was 5, his father Steven took him to The Lion’s Den in Scottsdale, a mixed-martial arts gym now called Fight Ready.

He was already starting to do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, boxing and MMA.

He became a national champion at 11 in the United States Fight League.

Locnikar was a state champion wrestling last season. He has envisioned himself as a UFC or MMA fighter since he was little, before football became a passion of his.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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