‘Edgy’ Tim: Prospect’s Cichy flips to Illinois, Batavia’s Vander Luitgaren commits to Wyoming

Prospect senior wide receiver Nathan Cichy (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) had quite a week.

Cichy, who had been verbally committed to Harvard since last spring, added a last-minute offer from Illinois. A few days later Cichy gave the Fighting Illini and head coach Bret Bielema his verbal commitment.

How did Cichy go from being a Harvard pledge to earning a full scholarship from Illinois?

“It started really two weeks ago,” he said. “My coaches at school have a great relationship with the Illinois staff. My coaches at school heard that Illinois had an open roster and scholarship spot for a wide receiver. The Illinois coaches were looking hard at receivers who had committed to Ivy League schools since we don’t sign any scholarship paperwork, it’s strictly just a verbal commitment.

“The Illinois staff watched a ton of my tape and said I really stood out to them,” he said. “I had a long talk with several Illinois coaches including (Bielema). Illinois offered me a scholarship on Tuesday night. On Friday I made an official visit and then committed to Illinois. It’s been a whirlwind for sure.”

Cichy, who recently graduated from high school, is gearing up for next weekend’s IHSA state track and field finals held at Eastern Illinois University.

Vander Luitgaren commits to Wyoming

Batavia junior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren (6-2, 200 pounds) recently gave the University of Wyoming his verbal commitment.

“I really gave some serious thought towards my college options and my decision,” Vander Luitgaren said. “Wyoming was by far recruiting me harder than any other school. They made me feel wanted and needed in the program so I committed.”

Vander Luitgaren pointed toward a handful of key factors in his commitment.

“Wyoming has a great defense and they are now really focused on improving the offense,” he said. “They hired a great offensive coordinator in coach (Christian) Taylor. Coach Taylor will do great things for the Wyoming offense and also feels I will be a great fit in the offense. I made a spring visit about a month ago and loved it there. It’s great part of the country and I’m excited to go out West and make my mark.”

Vander Luitgaren said the distance from home was a consideration.

“Wyoming is just not an easy place to get to for me and my family,” he said. “I’m set and certain that I’m going to make it work and I just could not pass up the opportunity to come into a great school and program like Wyoming. It’s been a big decision but the chance to earn early playing time is another factor.”

Which other schools did Vander Luitgaren consider?

“I looked pretty hard at North Dakota State and they took a quarterback commitment over the weekend,” he said. “I also had Illinois in school last week to watch me throw. Illinois had some interest in me but also said they aren't in a rush to take a commitment for now. In the end I just did not want to miss out on a great opportunity with Wyoming. I’m thrilled and relieved to have made my decision. Now I want to get a few of my guys here at Batavia to come with me out to Wyoming and start building a Batavia pipeline.”

Waubonsie Valley’s Muralis adds offers

Waubonsie Valley sophomore offensive tackle Kajus Muralis (6-7, 255 pounds) added his first two Division I scholarship offers.

“I just added a new offer from Florida Atlantic,” Muralis said. “I also added another offer recently from Oklahoma State. Both offers are a really nice surprise.

“Oklahoma State was in school last week and was able to watch one of my workouts. The Oklahoma State coaches had been showing me a lot of interest but I just didn't expect them to offer me this early. I know that Oklahoma State plays in the Big 12 conference and that they have a lot of history and a winning tradition. The offer from Florida Atlantic pretty much came out of nowhere. I know that FAU plays in a good conference and that they also have a good staff. The coaches at both schools want me to come out and make a visit on campus this summer.”

More college coaches checked in on Murlais this month.

“We have been seeing a lot of college coaches in school this month, I would say it’s been well over 15 different coaches this month,” he said. “They all just want to stop in and see me and also invite me to camps this summer. Indiana and Iowa State invited me for a spring visit but I couldn't make it. I did visit Northwestern since it’s so close to home and that visit went well.”

Does he have any summer plans lined up?

“I’m pretty sure I'll camp at North Central College in Naperville for the first day of the camp,” he said. “I’m also looking at camping at Northwestern, Iowa State and also Purdue. I’m also making sure I don’t miss any of our team camp this summer.”