A reminder that football is just around the corner
As Mike Panasiuk loomed front and center on Lake Park's sun-drenched stadium field surrounded by teammates, coaches and well-wishers, it quickly became clear that football season never really ends.
Especially not in DuPage County, where the annual feeding frenzy on area recruits is in full swing.
After Monday morning's summer camp workout with the Lancers, Panasiuk stood before a crowd of people to announce his college choice. Peeling off a layer of shirts, he unveiled a black T-shirt with a giant Michigan State University logo.
Sparty Nation immediately rejoiced on social media. It's what you do when one of Illinois' top defensive linemen chooses your school over Wisconsin and Penn State, the runners-up in his top three.
Honestly, though, the contest ended as soon as Michigan State offered Panasiuk a scholarship at the end of his Wednesday trip to East Lansing. He committed privately to the coaches the next day but waited until Monday to make the news public.
And thus continued Michigan State's recruiting romp through the Chicago suburbs.
It began in February in DuPage County when Hinsdale Central's Matt Allen shocked no one by committing to the Spartans. He'll continue a family tradition with older brothers and fellow Hinsdale Central grads Jack and Brian on Michigan State's offensive line.
Last week Hinsdale South defensive lineman Josh King - rated by Rivals.com as the state's top player from the Class of 2016 - also committed to Michigan State to help the Spartans vault a notch in the national rankings of recruiting classes. Combined with Panasiuk, Evanston's Naquan Jones and Indiana's Auston Robertson, folks already are referring to the Spartans' 2016 class of defensive linemen as the "Fearsome Four."
But back to DuPage County. With Downers Grove South offensive lineman Erik Swenson long ago committed to the University of Michigan, only a few key pieces remain in the area recruiting puzzle for the Class of 2016.
Naperville Central wide receiver Emmanuel Rugamba is balancing offers among many including Boston College, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Illinois. Glenbard West running back Sam Brodner is considering offers from Illinois, Vanderbilt, Wyoming, Ball State, Bowling Green and Nevada.
We also wait on decisions from standouts Brett Borske, a tight end from Neuqua Valley, Hinsdale Central offensive lineman Doug Kramer and Montini receiver Tyler Millikan, among others.
It won't be long until we start talking seriously about the Class of 2017 and guys like Neuqua Valley receiver Isaiah Robertson, who already holds offers from Iowa, Illinois, Western Michigan and Toledo. Naperville Central offensive lineman Trevor Campbell also has a Toledo offer.
Like every year, many more names will emerge over the next several months.
As Panasiuk, King and all the other recruits come off the board, the cycle of top-notch football continues in DuPage County.
Follow Kevin on Twitter @kevin_schmit