Beth Long’s football recruiting notebook

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It’s been a big couple weeks for Crystal Lake Central defensive lineman Romeo McKnight, who added his first Big Ten offer from Iowa.

“A month ago I was talking to a couple smaller schools and didn’t know if I was going to have to go to college for wrestling or even a JUCO for football,” McKnight said. “So now I have the opportunity to play division one football and don’t have to stress anymore and can enjoy the process. It’s a huge relief.”

The 6-4, 230-pound junior has three other offers from Toledo, Western Michigan and Buffalo.

Jack Sorensen adds more

Stevenson junior wide receiver and all around athlete Jack Sorensen is excited about whats to come on the recruiting trail. The 6-1, 180-pound prospect’s latest offer comes from Air Force, a school that he would like to get out to visit.

“Air Force I haven’t been up to there yet,” said Sorenson. “I am planning to go up and visit there as well as Army and going to see what they have. I know that they have all the latest equipment, it is supposedly one of the most extraordinary places to be as an athlete. And the education at both of those places are second to none. It’s a great opportunity so I am going to see how it suits me academically and as a person.”

Sorensen has additional offers from Bowling Green, Cornell, Dartmouth, Miami Ohio and Western Michigan.

Sean Williams one to watch

Recruiting is starting to speed up for Morgan Park junior linebacker Sean Williams, who has offers from Toledo, Northern Illinois, Bowling Green and Buffalo.

“The most exciting part of the recruiting process is that it just came out of no where,” said Williams. “I didn’t really expect to be recruited at this level. Because I didn’t feel like I had a great junior season because I broke my arm. It’s a relief.”

That broken arm didn’t hinder the 6-2, 220-pound prospect — even though he broke it before the season even started.

“A lot of schools didn’t even know that I played with a broken arm last year, when I tell them they are surprised,” Williams said.

Malik Haynes adds first offer

Junior defensive lineman Malik Haynes of Raby has added his first offer, from Army.

“Army’s defensive line coach came and watched me workout this morning and he told coach Dereef about the offer,” Haynes said. “I just remembered Coach D saying that he offered me and I was so excited that I texted my mom and told her. We both were excited.”

Haynes mom had some good advice for her son after picking up his first offer.

“She told me to stay humble and keep working hard and more will roll in,” Haynes said.

And as for recruiting in general, that’s been an exciting process for the 5-10, 280-pound athlete.

“Its good so far. I would have never thought that I would be getting looked at by different types of universities,” Haynes said.

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