Getting to Know: Nathanael Boone, Penn DL

Birthday?

My Birthday is September 8, 1998

What is your greatest memory so far as a high school player?

My greatest memory as a high school player was the last game of the regular season when we beat Mishawaka because we got punched in the mouth at the beginning of the game, but we stuck together as a team and came back and won the game.

What motivates you to play the game?

The main thing that motivates me to play football is my team. I know the guys I’m lined up to will do anything for me and that pushes me to play every snap like it’s my last.

Do you have any family members who have played?

I have two brothers that played in high school and my dad also played in high school.

Have you had any recruiting attention lately?

I attended the Eastern Michigan Junior day and I’m visiting Ball State on April 9. I’ve also heard from 7 of the 8 Ivy League schools, Northern Illinois, and Bucknell. I currently have 0 offers.

What are you looking for in a college?

I’m looking for a college that excels academically as well as I college that I know I can make an impact whether I’m playing in the game or helping our during practice.

Getting to Know: JT Wenglikowski, Leo LB

Birthday: January 22, 1999

Favorite memory as a high school player?

It isn’t even related to football, but the football team went on a canoe trip and we got to have have a time off just enjoying ourselves and getting to bond together as a team, which overall, made us a better football team and more like a family

Do you have any family members who have played?

I also forgot about family members. I have a cousin, Al Wenglikowski who played for Pittsburgh, and then played in the NFL for the Bills.

What motivates you to play the game?

What motivates me to play football is not just being able to get my furthered education paid for. It’s being able to use football as a platform to reach everything that I have always wanted and achieve my goals. Being able to play for Leo means your playing for the town of Leo, which is really something special, because you have a community who will back you up and gives you a drive and motivation.

Have you had any recruiting visits or college attention lately?

 

UIndy: September 5, 2015; Unofficial Visit Marian: September 12, 2015; Unofficial Visit Central Michigan: October 3, 2015; Unofficial Visit Ball State: October 24, 2015; Unofficial Visit Trine: October 31, 2015; Unofficial Visit Bowling Green: January 8, 2016; Unofficial Visit.  Central Michigan: February 13, 2016; Junior Days.  Then also Bowling Green and Ball State have come into my school to see me in person. Also, I will be at the Chi-Showcase hosted by PRO Sports Academy in Chicago this weekend.

What are you looking for in a school?

As far as a college I would like to go to a bigger school, but more importantly I would like a school that through their education system and football program, will bring me up to be a better man than what I am today. I hope that wherever I go, they equip me with the necessary tools and knowledge to bring success to my life farther than that of football and college.

Two Indiana OL’s commit to Illinois St and WMU

Two offensive linemen – Westfield’s Spencer Stachyra and Columbus North’s David Redding – both announced their college decisions over the weekend.

Stachyra, a 6’4” 285 right tackle, committed to Illinois State.  He’s a strong run blocker who can work to the second level, kick set at the corner and play in pass protection.  He also exhibits mic eland use and placement.  His father played football in high school and college.

Stachyra tells IndyScout that he admires Illinois State’s commitment to excellence on the field, and highly respects them and their vision for the future.  He said they “spent a lot of time there over the past year, they offered very early and they have a very successful program.”

Redding, meanwhile, is heading to MAC’s Western Michigan.  Along with the atmosphere and energy of the coaching staff, the players and facilities were what drew the attention of the 6’5” 280-pound offensive tackle.  Redding has prototypical size and strength that Division I teams need.  He also says WMU has a great civil engineering program, which is his major.

“Something big is growing in Kalamazoo!” he said.

Getting to Know: Justin Williams, ’17 Carmel OL

What is your birthday?

My birthday is August 2, 1999

What is your greatest memory as a high school player?

I would have to say that my greatest memory of playing was this past year, we were playing Warren and it was Senior night. It was the one night we were allowed to wear our grey jerseys, and it just meant a lot to me seeing all the seniors I grew close to get the win on their night.

What motivates you to play the game?

I’m motivated to play football for a lot of reasons, I love the everything about it. I believe that if it weren’t for football then I wouldn’t be the person I am today. It (has) taught me a lot about character and how to act when things not necessarily go your way, and it’s also taught me how to be respectful to others. I’m motivated to play because I want to prove all the people that have doubted me wrong.

Do you have any relatives or family members who have played?

I actually do not have any relatives that have ever played high school football, I’m the first to do that, and I’m also hoping to become the first to play in college.

Have you had any recruiting attention lately?

I attended the Miami of Ohio junior day in February, but other than that I haven’t had much contact with any coaches, and currently hold no offers.

What are you looking for in a college?

Ideally I would want a college that is close to home, I don’t really care how big or small it is, and that fits what I want to further my education in.

Getting to Know: ’17 Cathedral LB Kris Marshall

What has been your greatest memory as a high school player?

As of now, nothing tops winning the state championship 2 years in a row. As a freshman, putting on the gold Cathedral helmet and feeling the legacy of former players. Being challenged everyday by my coaches to achieve greatness. Having a Christian experience and working with my teammates to obtain our goal.

Do you have any relatives or family members who have played the game?

In the 80’s, my father played varsity football in Gary, IN and had opportunities to play college football. Everyone calls me the “football player” because most of my family members are basketball players. My uncle and several of my closest cousins played college basketball. I have a cousin that was a girl’s Indiana All-Star and is a college coach. My uncle’s father was an All-American at Purdue and played at Crispus Attucks HS on the team with Oscar Robertson. I have a cousin who was a player of the year in Chicago in the late 70’s.

Have you had any recruiting visits or offers over the past few weeks? If so, where? Any scheduled in the future?

I haven’t received any offers but I have had several coaches contact me. A few weeks ago, I visited Buffalo University for their Junior Day and during Spring Break I’m scheduled to visit Princeton University. In the past, I have gone to IU and Purdue for games and practices. The most contact I’ve received has come from Ivy League schools but also great D1 FBS/FCS, D2 and D3 schools have contacted me and want me to come to their camps. This summer will be very busy. I’m working out a schedule for college visits because I also have academic responsibilities.

What are you looking for in a college?

I have always been focused on my academics but I want to play football at a school with a great academic tradition. My goal after football is to be an engineer, so I’m looking at schools that offer Engineering or has a dual program with a college where I can obtain an engineering degree.

Getting to Know: 2017 RB/LB Winchester Elias Gates

What is your birthday?

My birthday is June 6, 1998.

What is your greatest memory so far as a high school player?

The greatest memory as a high school football player came from this year when we came back in the second half to beat Eastbrook to win the first sectional championship in school history.

What motivates you to play the game?

I’m motivated to make my family proud, and to use football to help pay for and open up opportunities for my college education. I play for myself, my family, and God.

Have you had any family members who have played?

I’ve had many cousins play football, but none of them pursued a collegiate career.

Have you had any recruiting attention lately?

Last month I visited Miami (OH) for junior day, and I’ve visited Trine, Ball State, and IU last season. I plan to visit Ball State and IU soon, and I will schedule other visits as well.

What are you looking for in a school?

What I’m looking for in a college is most importantly a quality education, and a good campus/social environment. When considering playing football in college, I value how the coach helps players become men and hold their players accountable. I would also want to go somewhere that I would actually play by earning a spot, and not going somewhere just to be on the team.

2017 Under the Radar: Ethan Merriweather

 

Often overshadowed by Carmel’s top receiver Jalen Walker, Ethan is the yin to Walker’s yang – an explosive football player with soft hands, burst off the line of scrimmage, and excellent run-after-the-catch ability. He can get separation downfield, and is a weapon out in space. He is effective on screens and sweeps and exhibits good vision with the ball in his hands. He also contributes on defense as a defensive back, but his college fit is likely at wide receiver. Though he lacks ideal bulk, Ethan has nice height (6’2”), a good frame, and room to grow. He currently has no college offers.

Getting to Know: FW Homestead QB Drew Keszei

What is your birthday?

January 8, 1999

What is your favorite memory so far as a high school player?

My favorite memory so far as a high school player was beating our rivals, Carroll in the sectional championship. I went 22/25 and our team came together to pull off the win!

Do you have any family members who have played?

No family that played.

Have you had any recruiting attention lately?

Illinois state, Northern Illinois, Miami of Ohio, Western Michigan, Iowa, Colombia, Brown, Northern Iowa, Toledo, and Ohio.

What motivates you to play the game?

Competition. I love to be the leader and use the whole team. I also like the pressure because a lot of it is on the quarterback. It’s a true test.

What are you looking for most in a school?

Im looking for a school that has upperclassmen quarterbacks so I have a chance to play sooner. I also would like the school to have strong academics. I don’t know what I want to major in yet.

Getting to Know: Cedric Mitchell

Birthday: January 28, 1999

What is your greatest memory as a high school player?

The greatest memory in my high school career was going undefeated in our conference after a rough season before; getting to hold the trophy and knowing me and my teammates.  That was amazing.

Do you have any family members who have played?

Yes, my uncle who currently plays for the University of Bluffton.

Have you had any recruiting attention lately?

Minnesota Gophers were my most recent contact about recruitment. Upcoming visits – Ball State, Miami of Ohio, Western Michigan, & IU

What are you looking for in a school?

I’m looking for a good education, make new friends, meet new people. I would like to adventure in new things and play the game of football, and also create a family!

Ekiyor Checks In on His Recruiting

One of the most remarkable things about Emil Ekiyor – as well as several Irish players – is that he still has more seasons to go.

He’s not halfway through high school yet already has  big-time SEC offers.  He caught up with IndyScout to discuss his recruiting recently.

The standout right tackle is blessed with great size and long arms that major Division I offensive line coaches need.  But that’s not all – he’s a nimble 325-pound young man, a quick-footed puller with a fast first step.  Along with having good instincts, he can work to the second level, as well as play long and lateral set in pass protection.

Ekiyor’s greatest memory so far was stepping on the field for the first time against Warren Central as a freshman.  He has good bloodlines – his father played at Central Florida and was an NFL player for seven years.  Ekiyor’s recent offers include Auburn, Ole Miss, Florida State and Texas A&M, and there’s surely more to come.

“I really like Michigan, Oklahoma, Florida State, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Penn State and Auburn,” Ekiyor tells IndyScout.  “My visit to Michigan State went really well and I loved it. The facilities were amazing, I love the coach, and the total vibe there was great.”

Though he’ll definitely play up front, it’s not clear which position Emil will play in college.  He plays at right tackle for the Irish but Cathedral head coach Rick Strieff thinks he projects to guard or center at the next level.

“He has tremendous upside because of his ability to move,” Streiff said. “I think colleges will move him to center and he will be a very athletic center.  Great kid and great family.”