Fremd's Lombard named Gatorade player of year

Christian Lombard is apparently continuing a trend of offensive linemen receiving recognition for major awards.

The Fremd senior was named Thursday as the 2009-10 Gatorade Illinois Football Player of the Year. Lombard also became the second straight Notre Dame-bound offensive line winner as Glenbard West's Chris Watt received the award last year.

The Gatorade award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence as well as high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character on and off the field. Lombard is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year Award to be announced in mid-December.

Lombard had 48 pancake blocks this season as Fremd went 11-1 and reached the Class 8A state quarterfinals. He was also selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 9, 2010, in San Antonio.

"The best offensive lineman I've ever been around," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci.

Lombard, a two-time Daily Herald All-Area selection, was also a significant contributor on defense and competes in track and field. He carries a 3.03 GPA, is a member of the school's leadership council and has done volunteer work at a Chicago homeless shelter and a local nursing home.

"He's an extremely coachable kid and that's something that doesn't happen that often," said Donatucci, "when you get kids like that with that much acclaim.

"That's the type of person he is. He deflected everything away."

And Lombard remains committed to Notre Dame even after the firing of head coach Charlie Weis on Monday. Lombard made his verbal commitment at the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

"His maturity at (age) 16-17 through the whole process, that's the true mark of a champion," Donatucci said. "He's staying the course (with Notre Dame). That's what he feels is best for his future, not only as a football player but as a person."

Miles to go on first visit: Prospect senior quarterback and two-time all-area pick Miles Osei will make his first official visit to Northern Illinois this weekend.

Osei said the Huskies have "recruited me hard" and he went to their game with Western Michigan and their junior day.

"The coaches are really good and just really genuine and seem like they really care about the players," Osei said. "That's what I'm looking for."

Osei said he doesn't have any other visits set up yet but also has scholarship offers from Central Michigan, Ball State, Buffalo, Illinois State and Eastern Illinois. He said Illinois and Wyoming have also showed interest.

"I feel like I have a lot of offers and options," Osei said. "It's awesome to have all the schools that have offered. I'm definitely more than satisfied with all the options I have right now."

Garoppolo grapples with options: Rolling Meadows coach Doug Millsaps said senior quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's scholarship offers include Illinois State, Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois and Montana State.

Millsaps said interest in Garoppolo has also picked up from Iowa, Iowa State, Ohio, Akron, Northern Illinois and New Mexico, where former Meadows standout Ty Kirk was the leading receiver as a redshirt freshman.

"I still think something big is going to pop for him," Millsaps said. "He's too good. He's got it all."