Football recruiting is getting interesting, on both sides of the spectrum

It’s an interesting time for local football recruiting.

On the one hand, colleges are extending fewer scholarship offers to high school players. It’s not making an impact on the higher-profile recruits, but the hard times tend to trickle down.

Between extra eligibility for COVID years, the generous terms of the transfer portal and moneymaking opportunities through name, image and likeness rules, more college players are sticking around longer to reap the benefits.

Then there’s the looming uncertainty of revenue sharing with college players and the possibility of shrinking rosters. With so many unknowns, college coaches are becoming more conservative about offers.

On the other hand, we appear to be entering a “golden age” for football talent in the Daily Herald coverage area. We’ve had surges like this before … the local representation now in the NFL attests to that.

The next few classes, though, look pretty special.

This month we’ve seen two of our top players — Carmel sophomore quarterback Trae Taylor and South Elgin junior tight end Gavin Mueller — commit, respectively, to Nebraska and Colorado.

That’s merely the tip of the iceberg. In the coming weeks, months and years we’ll see an avalanche of our players committing to the nation’s top college programs.

Not too long ago, you’d rarely see the cream of the Southeastern Conference even glance at our players. Now, though, the Chicago suburbs have become essential territory for the blue bloods.

Taylor, the state’s top-rated class of 2027 quarterback, according to Rivals.com, had offers from Alabama and Georgia. Texas A&M and LSU were among his final four.

And let’s not forget about the Big Ten powers. Libertyville tight end Brock Williams, rated by On3 as the state’s top sophomore recruit, has Ohio State and Penn State among his 36 offers.

The class of 2027 in the area has a ridiculous amount of talent, especially with quarterbacks. Montini’s Israel Abrams, who made a name for himself during the Broncos’ state title run last year, has blown up this offseason. He’s considered a top-five recruit in the state’s class, already boasting offers from much of the Big Ten, including up-and-coming Indiana.

Maine South’s Jameson Purcell, who’s been a known quantity for a while, holds similar offers. He’s at 25 and counting.

That’s only scratching the surface. Line play is always strong around here, and the coming classes are no different.

Palatine’s Tony Balanganayi (Illinois), Hinsdale Central’s Gene Riordan (Iowa) and Naperville North’s Gabriel Hill (Indiana) — all juniors — are upholding the area’s trench tradition. Right behind are sophomores like Tommy Riordan, Gene’s younger brother, who already has four offers.

As we navigate this “golden age,” though, we need to keep an eye on both ends of the spectrum.

While it’s a glorious time for the top recruits, many more football players will be struggling for attention. Not to mention offers.

The interesting times show no sign of ending.