Libertyville's Lees cuts back to Northwestern
The last time Riley Lees ran the 40-yard dash was at Northwestern University's football camp last summer.
The Libertyville incoming senior quarterback will be doing a lot more sprinting in Evanston next year.
Lees has de-committed to Miami (Ohio) University and instead has given a verbal commitment to Northwestern, where he likely will play wide receiver.
"I just went there and they gave me the offer," Lees said. "It's something that's hard to turn down. Obviously I loved Miami. The hardest part was the de-committing portion. I loved Coach Martin and everything. I just thought it was the best decision for me at the time."
Former Notre Dame assistant Chuck Martin coached Miami to a 2-10 record in his first season as head coach last season. Lees verbally committed to the Mid-American Conference school in early spring.
"He understood (the decision) completely, actually," Lees said of Martin.
Lees visited Miami twice. He said he also took visits to Northwestern, Ball State, Iowa and Western Michigan. Whereas Miami recruited him as an "athlete," Lees said, NU expressed interest in him as a slot receiver. He was recruited by Wildcats offensive coordinator Mick McCall.
When Lees attended Northwestern's camp last year, he said he ran the 40 dash in 4.46 seconds. He has not been clocked in the 40 since then.
Last fall, Lees enjoyed a breakout campaign in his second season on varsity. He rushed for a school-record 35 touchdowns and threw for another 10. Named all-state and captain of the Daily Herald Lake County All-Area team, he rushed for 1,799 yards and passed for 1,482 yards in helping the Wildcats reach the Class 7A state semifinals.
He said Northwestern watched him play against eventual Class 8A state champ Stevenson. Schools can still come after Lees, but his mind seems made up. He plans to study something with business at NU.
I'm pretty solid with this commitment," Lees said. "I don't know what else could make me switch. I don't think anything really could."