Beth Long’s football recruiting notebook

No. 11 Nazareth is one of the youngest teams in the area. The Roadrunners are known for turning out talented athletes, including current University of Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love and Iowa State recruit Isaiah Lee — one of the only seniors on the field for Nazareth.

Junior Michael Love, Julian’s brother, is next in line. The 5-9, 170-pound athlete can play running back, receiver, defensive back and is sneaky fast. Love is quick to talk about the potential for the Roadrunners in 2017.

“It’s high,” Love said. “I think there is no ceiling for us this year, we can always get better of course. There is no such thing as being as good as you can be.”

As expected, recruiting is starting to pick up for Love.

“Recruiting is going well,” Love said. “ I get twitter messages, a lot of emails. I have Notre Dame in mind.”

One thing that Love is hoping to show during his junior season is just how he could impact the game at the college level.

“I bring my selflessness to the team, I am a team player,” Love said. “I always have my teammates backs and I love blocking for people and helping make plays for other people.”

Love’s teammate Devin Blakley has one scholarship offer so far, from Bowling Green.

“Recruiting is going well,” Blakley said. “Coaches have been communicating with me a lot since they could on September 1.”

The 5-10, 180 pound athlete has been making big plays all season for the Roadrunners.

“I think I have gotten a little bit faster this season and I understand the schemes a little bit more,” Blakley said. “With so many playmakers I think people have to respect all of our options. And it really opens up more options for other people too so we are taking advantage of that.”

Receiver Diamond Evans and 6-6, 285-pound offensive lineman Matt Keeler, two other juniors, have been opening eyes and should start receiving recruiting attention.

Nazareth is undefeated and has a big East Suburban Catholic showdown against Benet (3-1) on Friday.

MIHALIC COMMITS

Niles North punter Nick Mihalic committed to Western Michigan this week.

“I would like to thank [coach Tim Lester Coach Lester, coach Kyle Derickson] and the rest of the football staff for believing in me on and off the field,” Mihalic tweeted. “I am officially a Bronco.”

Niles North is 2-2 this season after rallying to win beat Elk Grove 35-34 in Week 4.