Many players remain undecided as signing day arrives

It took some special players to put together the Geneva and Aurora Christian teams that advanced to play in two of last autumn's IHSA state football championship games.

A small handful of those players, as well as standouts from other local high schools, have made decisions on where they'll play next year while many others are still involved in the laborious and emotional process of identifying the right fit.

Aurora Christian quarterback Jordan Roberts, the IHSA's all-time leader in touchdown passes and passing yards, has chosen Wheaton College.

"Wheaton is not only getting one of the best quarterbacks this state has ever seen, but an even better person," Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe said. "He will be sorely missed for more than his talents; I will miss Jordan Roberts the person."

Defensive tackle Peter Kariotis and linebacker Luis Solorio recently visited Division II Chadron State. If they both commit to the Nebraska institution, they'll have the opportunity to play for the alma mater of their high school coach.

Other Eagles looking to play next fall include Lewis Gaddis, who is considering North Central and Aurora University, and wide receiver David Zielke who has shown interest in the University of St. Francis in Joliet.

Geneva running back Michael Ratay (2,859 rushing yards and 44 rushing touchdowns in 2008) helped Geneva play for a championship for the first time since 1975. Now he'll try to help Division II Grand Valley State University win its fifth championship since 2001.

"I just went out there and did a workout, took a tour of the campus and got along well with the coaches," Ratay said. "Their football program has been really good for a long time and after visiting the campus and everything it made my decision easy."

Cory Hofstetter, the 2008 Western Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Year, will make the conversion from defensive end to tight end at Western Illinois University. The 6-4, 245-pounder should be fully healed from right shoulder surgery as he expects to ready to play baseball this spring for the Vikings.

Left tackle John McNeil, Brennan Quinn (middle linebacker) and Sean Grady (safety) have put a lot of time and effort into the recruitment process.

McNeil has narrowed his list to Butler and several Division III schools, Grady is waiting to visit Butler before choosing either Drake or Butler, and Quinn ultimately decided on McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill. after considering Northern Michigan and Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., among others.

"I've had quite a few nights where I can't sleep and that's probably when I've gotten most of my thinking done," Quinn said. "You just make lists of pros and cons, talk to your parents and keep thinking about your options."

While Quinn and the rest of his Geneva teammates wore out teams last fall, the recruitment process has worn them down often this winter.

"It's a cool thing to have others to talk to and ask questions but it's a difficult process," Grady said. "You realize that you'll probably be at a school for the next five years so you really need to find out if that's where you want to spend your time and whether those kids and coaches match well."

Andrew Clausen is likely to play at a junior college next fall, while right guard Bryce Biel, right tackle Anthony Miller, defensive end Trey Hemming, fullback Drew Fagot and linebacker Trevor Hyslop are still contemplating Division III opportunities.

Aurora Central: The Chargers might have gone winless but whatever school quarterback Mike Adams chooses will be a big winner with its recruitment class.

Aurora Central coach Mike Curry doesn't know where Adams will end up playing. Curry does believe that Adams has been overlooked and the pressure for Division I programs to win year in and year out has limited his opportunities.

"Some schools don't think he's ready and schools in the Big 10 aren't going to get a kid they don't think is ready yet," Curry said. "Maybe 30 years ago these schools would be willing to take a chance on him."

As a three-sport athlete who had the disadvantage of playing on both sides of the ball last fall, Adams remains in pursuit of a good fit.

"The only three schools I know he's had contact with are Aurora University, North Central and the University of St. Francis (in Joliet)," Curry said. "I think once basketball finishes up he'll be able to make up his mind."

Batavia: Bulldogs left tackle Phil Livingston wants to pursue construction management and play football, and he'll do both at Wisconsin-Platteville starting this fall.

"Not many schools offer this program so that was a huge factor," he said. "I've heard great things about the program and I like that area."

Livingston is the only Bulldogs player to finalize his plans for this fall, but there are a good handful of players who might put on the pads later this year.

Running back J.R. Kabba, who set a school record for rushing yards in a game last fall with 321 against Sycamore, has narrowed his choices to St. Ambrose and North Central. Kabba is still considering running track in college so he's not sure how soon he'll make a decision.

Wide receiver Erich Zeddies will either play football at Augustana, North Central or join Ratay at Grand Valley State, or forgo playing and enroll at Colorado State University.

"It's tough because the perfect school isn't out there," Zeddies said. "I'm trying to find the best situation and still trying to figure out what that will be for me."

Alex Berg and Ryan Webb, both who played on both sides of the ball last fall, are keeping their options open. Berg said he's still looking at Butler, Drake, North Central, St. Ambrose and Carthage and hopes to make a decision within the next month.

Whether or not he's throwing spirals, sliders or both seems to be the biggest question for Batavia quarterback Jordan Coffey. The Daily Herald All-Area selection is currently sidelined from the basketball team rehabbing his throwing shoulder.

"He's had a lot of interest and is still hanging onto the possibly of playing Division I baseball," Batavia coach Mike Gaspari said. "So he's kind of waiting to see how baseball goes. Either way, he's got a lot of great opportunities."

Kaneland: There aren't any Kaneland seniors who expect to continue their football careers next fall, but keep an eye out next year, and certainly two years from now when quarterback Joe Camiliere likely finishes his career as a three-year starter.

Marmion: All-Suburban Catholic Conference selection Juan Avila is the most-prized recruit coming out of Marmion this year. Avila wasn't interested in Navy, West Point or even Eastern Illinois where he was offered a full scholarship. After enjoying his recent visit to Carbondale, Ill., Avila has decided to be a preferred walk-on for the Salukis.

All 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds of offensive tackle Taylor Baron is looking for a place to play this fall and apparently several Division II schools have shown some interest. Baron is still considering all of his options.

While Avila and Baron might have generated the most interest out of the Marmion camp, there are several other Cadets who are still looking for a place to play. Wide receiver/free safety Sean Fichtel, offensive guard/linebacker Joe Weber, offensive tackle/defensive end Kurt Peterson, linebacker John Koechley and quarterback Ricky Bird are still mulling over their options.

St. Charles East: After rushing for 1,976 yards and 29 touchdowns last fall and being named the Upstate Eight Conference's Offensive MVP and to the 7A All-State team, Wes Allen has become a prized commodity.

Allen will sign a letter of intent on Wednesday to continue his career at Division II Truman State.

"In Wes Allen, Truman State is getting a very talented football player," St. Charles East's coach last year Ted Monken said. "But most importantly they are getting a great young man who is a workhorse, a fierce competitor and a person who will make all those around him better."

The past two years, St. Charles East linebacker Pat Friel, an All-Area Daily Herald selection both seasons, has had a great deal to do with the Saints dominant play on defense.

"He's got one of the things you can't coach and that's a nose for the football," Monken said. "He avoids blockers and is always around the football."

This fall, he'll be around the center of New York as Friel (97 tackles last year) has committed to play football in the Patriot League at Colgate University.

Cornerback Eian O'Brien will be joining Allen at Truman State, which is located in Kirksville, Mo.

Peter Chacon has decided to play at St. Ambrose, Blake Griffiths is going to attend Harper Junior College and Brennan Walls expects to play this fall, but isn't certain where, although he appears to be leaning heavily toward Drake University.

Wide receiver Paul DeBord (28 catches, 353 yards) won't play football, but will continue his athletic career as a member of the Towson University lacrosse team.

St. Charles North: Class 7A all-state middle linebacker Jake Juriga led the North Stars with 105 tackles last season. He'll continue his career at Navy, where he's projected to move to inside linebacker.

"It was probably just the best fit for the level of football and academics," Juriga said.

St. Charles North left guard Chris Nelson will play at North Park University in Chicago later this year, while a handful of other North Stars are expected to continue their careers.

According to St. Charles North coach Mark Gould, defensive end Kasey Ro is considering Lehigh and left tackle Josh Forni is taking a serious look at Augustana, North Central and Elmhurst.

"A lot of kids won't know until after the signing date, especially since there's always some kids who back out," Gould said.

Quarterback Sean McGushin will give up football and play Division I lacrosse at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. Gould said wide receiver/quarterback Nick Neari and wide receiver Jonathan DeMoss have the opportunity to play somewhere, even if they wish to play both basketball and football.

West Aurora: The ability to score from just about anywhere on the field has schools trying to woo West Aurora's Markus Cocroft. The three-year starter at wide receiver and defensive back for the Blackhawks is in the midst of the basketball season, but has schools, including Northern Illinois, Western Illinois and Ball State, in the back of his mind, as all three have shown a lot of interest in his playmaking abilities.

Linebacker/tight end Kevin Costin competed on both sides of the ball for 4 years for the Blackhawks and also excelled in the classroom where he's ranked among the top 50 students in his graduating class of more than 700. Costin hasn't finalized his plans but is giving a lot of consideration to Wisconsin-Platteville.

According to West Aurora coach Buck Drach, linebacker/fullback Garrett Rivers, offensive guard/tackle Jayson Eddy and offensive lineman Donnquell Davis are looking at a variety of different Division III schools but haven't come close to making a final decision, although Davis has been impressed by North Park University. Drach also noted that defensive end Kendall Velarde is looking to play somewhere, but isn't sure where he may end up.

Editor's note: Coming Thursday, a look at some of the area athletes headed to college in other sports.