Beth Long’s football recruiting notebook

Four offers are on the table for Neuqua Valley wide receiver Isaiah Robertson: Illinois, Iowa, Central Michigan and Toledo.

“I would say the best thing about recruiting is getting letters, and when coaches come up to the school,” said Robertson. “And definitely calling schools and coaches is cool too.”

The most recent offer for the 6-3, 190-pound sophomore is from Iowa.

“I’ve heard good things about Iowa ever since I’ve been offered,” said Robertson. “I’ve heard the facilities and how they are all top notch, and just how they have a long line of traditions,” Robertson said. “Just a really nice school. And I was offered in the morning after lifting so it really woke me up the rest of the day.”

Cole Kmet adding offers

St. Viator sophomore tight end Cole Kmet has picked up a handful of offers in just the last several weeks.

“Knowing that schools want you as a student athlete is probably the most exciting thing with recruiting right now,” Kmet said. “I’ve always dreamed of being a collegiate football player and it’s just really exciting to know it’s turning into a reality.”

The first offer for Kmet came in from Louisville, and it was a moment he won’t forget.

“I was thrown off to be honest. I didn’t expect the offer at all. I was on a trip back from Georgia, where I had a tournament for my baseball team during spring break and the coaches wanted me to stop by at the end of the visit, when they offered me. I was shocked, but also very happy,” said Kmet. “It also made me feel relieved getting that first offer.”

The 6-4, 225-pound athlete soon added offers from Baylor and North Carolina to his list.

Romeo McKnight picks up first Crystal Lake Central athlete Romeo McKnight picked up his first offer from Toledo after a big performance at Nike’s the Opening Regional’s in Chicago in early May.

The 6-4, 225-pound athlete plays running back and linebacker in high school, but will likely play defensive line in the collegiate ranks.

“Some schools are telling me they want me to play tight end. And some are telling me that they want me to play outside linebacker,” McKnight said. “They are also telling me that I have good hips and I would be good playing on the line. I haven’t really played much on the line yet, but I am slowly transitioning and getting bigger and lifting more.”

Chris Katrenick adds VirginiaJacobs sophomore quarterback Chris Katrenick stands 6-2, 195-pounds and has been receiving plenty of interest since his sophomore season wrapped up. Now, he’s got his first offer, from Virginia.

“Coach Fairchild, the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach came by the school to watch me throw and then offered me,” Katrenick said.

Katrenick won’t ever forget that moment — especially because he wasn’t expecting it quite so early.

“I was very excited and impressed that the coach came all this way to see me throw,” Katrenick said. “Since this is my first offer I didn’t know what to expect, so it was a little surreal to me. I am flattered to have an offers as a sophomore, especially from a school athletically and academically as sound as the University of Virginia.”