‘Edgy’ Tim: Saints’ Barrett lands first Power Four football offer
St. Charles East sophomore offensive tackle Liam Barrett (6-foot-7, 250 pounds) landed his first Power Four football scholarship offer on Thursday while visiting Iowa State University.
“The offer from Iowa State means the world to me,” Barrett said. “The fact that they are giving me an opportunity is all I ever wanted.”
Barrett talked about his connection to the Iowa State football program along with his recent spring visit.
“Both of my older brothers (Dylan and Austin) played for Iowa State and Austin is still playing for them,” he said. “I spent a few days at Iowa State earlier this week to watch a few spring practices. I just enjoyed getting to learn more about everything that Iowa State has to offer. The visit to Iowa State was nothing but amazing. I feel just truly blessed and very excited about the offer and opportunity from Iowa State.”
He has remained close with his older brothers and stressed the importance they both have had in his development.
“Both of my brothers have been huge influences for me in a lot of ways,” he said. “They both would help me with various workouts including working on my overall footwork and technique. They have me doing college level workouts now. I can always ask them questions about football, college and pretty much anything else.”
He also broke down his latest recruiting suitors so far this spring.
“I’ve been getting more recruiting looks and attention from schools like Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan State and obviously now Iowa State,” he said. “I had a visit planned to Purdue but we got snowed out and couldn't make that visit. I also had the same issue when I tried to get to a Minnesota game last season. I’m still hoping to make visits this spring or summer to North Dakota State, Purdue and Minnesota.”
Barrington’s Switski taking visits
Barrington junior rush edge Kane Switski (6-5, 225 pounds) has been very busy the last few weeks making in-person college visits.
“I’ve been on the road all this week long making college visits and it's been a great experience,” Switski said. “I really wanted to see some schools in person and start to get a better handle on my college options before things get really busy this spring and summer.
“I was able to make visits the past two weeks to NIU, Northern Iowa, Missouri, Miami of Ohio, SIU, Tulsa, Kansas and Lindenwood,” he said. “I added offers from Miami of Ohio, SIU, Lindenwood and also Northern Iowa. I want to use this week to just get a better idea on what these schools look like and what they have to offer. The spring and the summer is going to be very busy between camps and getting ready for the season. I feel like I have a good head start with my recruiting process by seeing these schools in person and getting to know the coaches better at each program.”
Carmel’s VanBoening on the rise
Carmel Catholic sophomore four-star ranked offensive tackle Wyatt VanBoening (6-7, 285 pounds) is quickly becoming one of the most sought after names in the state’s Class of 2028. VanBoening has been making college visits and is adding offers in bunches.
VanBoening made a Saturday spring practice visit and added his latest offer from the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers. He also made visits to and added offers from Notre Dame, Northwestern and Iowa State while also adding offers from Missouri and Tennessee.
What is VanBoening looking for with his college visits this spring?
“I just like to go and look around at each school and try to see everything they have to offer,” he said. “Getting to meet and know the coaches better at each school is also important. It’s still pretty early in my recruiting, so for now I’m just starting to look into more schools and getting to know them better. I’m looking for a school that has a good culture along with a strong business school. I also want to go to a school with a strong tradition and a program that can develop me into the best player and person I can become over the next four years.”