‘Edgy’ Tim: Football recruiting updates from Montini, Lake Park and Lake Zurich

Montini Catholic sophomore defensive lineman Blake Pohlman (6-foot-5, 255 pounds) has been on recruiting radar screens since starting as a freshman on the Broncos' 2025 Class 4A state championship team.

Pohlman breaks down his season, latest recruiting news and game-day visit plans.

“I have offers so far from both Miami of Ohio and Purdue,” he said. “I was able to make some spring practices and spring game visits to Miami of Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Michigan State. I’ve also been invited to several game-day visits so far. I made a game-day visit to Iowa on Saturday. I’ve also set game-day visits to Illinois (this Saturday), Indiana (Sept. 19), Northwestern (Oct. 3) and Michigan State (Oct. 17).”

So what is he looking for when he makes game-day visits?

“I’m looking for a school that has a good, solid coaching staff and a school that plays in a strong conference,” he said. “Getting to know the coaching staff including the defensive line coach at each school is also important. I want to play for a school and coaches who have a great bond and family feel. Development is also very important to me. I want to play for a program that can help me reach my potential and play at the highest level.”

Pohlman has made serious gains in his game as well as on the scale this season.

“Last season I played at 215 pounds and now I’m at 255 pounds,” he said. “I’m an inch taller now and also added good weight and strength. I can feel a big difference in my gains this season. I’m stronger and also was able to keep my overall speed up. I spent six days a week in the gym along with eating like an animal. I’m also bigger and a lot faster now and my goal is to just be more consistent on every down. I also worked on my hand fighting and my overall balance.”

Lancers’ Booker drawing college attention

Lake Park junior offensive tackle Charles Booker (6-8, 295 pounds) continues to draw recruiting attention from major programs across the Midwest. Booker checks in and discusses his upcoming college game-day visit plans.

“I've never been to a college football game before so I'm very excited to see and experience it all in person,” he said. “I'm visiting Indiana this weekend (last Saturday). I'm also all set to make game-day visits to Minnesota (this Saturday), Kansas State (Nov. 7) and Cincinnati (Nov. 21). I have gotten a lot of game-day invites from several schools, but I'm trying to make sure I'm focused on my team and the season overall.”

What does Booker want to see or learn on his game-day travels?

“I just want to soak it all in to be honest,” he said. “I want to see if I can fit in at each school and if I can see myself playing football and going to school there. I'm excited to get to talk with the coaches and get to know them better.”

Bears’ Lewandowski returns from Indiana

Lake Zurich junior edge Jackson Lewandowski (6-4, 240 pounds) continues to see his recruiting stock soar. Lewandowski made a game-day visit Saturday to Indiana for the defending national champion’s home opener.

“I was very impressed,” he said. “From watching warmups to game play, everything was crisp and intentional. Indiana is a very well-coached football team. The atmosphere was awesome as well. The stadium was packed and engaged. And in the end they took care of business.”

Lewandowski added his latest offer last week from Nebraska. He is planning to make additional game-day visits this season to Nebraska, Kansas State, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa State, Iowa, Wisconsin and Toledo.