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Glenbard West rising senior offensive lineman Eric Shute gave his verbal commitment to North Carolina State.
“I chose N.C. State because of the chance to play early, and to be the beginning of something great at State,’’ Shute said.
Part of the allure of the Wolfpack for Shute was a set of familiar faces.
“I knew it was a good fit for me after visiting and talking with some of the other 2014 commitments,’’ he said. “Also the coaches coming from Northern Illinois was a big factor because N.C. State is so far from home.”
Morgan taking his time
Crete-Monee rising senior Nyles Morgan has over thirty offers from colleges.With new offers still arriving, the FOXSports NEXT four-star recruit is taking his time to decide where he will attend college.
“Latest is I have new offers from Alabama, Maryland, and Iowa.’’ Morgan said. “I am just taking it day by day, and night by night.’’
Morgan, who plans to decide on a school after his senior season, has shifted his focus to leading the Warriors after going undefeated and winning the Class 6A state title in 2012.
“Now all the weight is on my shoulders, or my class’ shoulders. We have to step up and be leaders of the team,’’ Morgan said. “There is no one else in front of us and there is no one to look to.”
Swenson adding offers
Downers Grove South offensive lineman Erik Swenson added offers from Northwestern, Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois, Oregon and Virginia Tech.
“It’s crazy, when I was on the phone with Michigan’s coach Darrell Funk he said I was the only 2016 prospect they have offered,” Swenson said. “That kind of took me back a little bit, because at my age lineman are normally under developed. I thought it was crazy.”
It’s often hard to believe that the 6-foot-6, 290 pound prospect is only a rising sophomore.
“Most people ask what grade I am in, and I tell them I am a freshman. Then they always ask how many years I got held back before,” Swenson said. “I always tell them I got A’s and B’s in every subject and I didn’t miss grades, then they don’t believe me. Also, I can say my dad is 6-foot-9, then they are like ‘okay, okay.’”
Olekanma one to watch
Southern Illinois became the first school to offer Downers Grove North rising senior linebacker Richard Olekanma. He is also getting interest from Illinois, Northern Illinois, Ball State and others.
“I think I am athletic and just a bigger dude than most kids, so I can beat you with speed and physicality,’’ Olekanma said.
Olekanma is originally from Nigeria, but moved to the United States 11 years ago.
“The biggest adjustment was probably just the weather, it’s really hot over there, and here it is really cold,” Olekanma said with a laugh.
He plans to attend camp at Toledo this summer.
