Notre Dame senior Chris James is the next running back from Illinois to watch on the recruiting trail.
After Mount Carmel’s Matt Domer orally committed to Illinois and De La Salle’s Mikale Wilbon committed to Vanderbilt, the 5-foot-9, 212-pound James has garnered the attention of the recruiting world.
He has been focusing on Iowa, Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Tennessee — all four have offered – and is also considering Illinois and Wisconsin. He said he has not closed the door on other options either.
James, who will visit Iowa later this summer before the start of his senior season, doesn’t seem to be in any rush to make his college choice.
“I want to wait and take some official visits,” James said. “I was thinking about getting it done soon, but my grandma talked about it, and we decided to wait and take some visits before I make my final decision.”
Nagel goes to camp: Marist junior wide receiver Flynn Nagel has early offers from Illinois and Indiana. The 5-11, 180-pound Nagel was one of a handful of Illinois prospects who took part in the Rivals Underclassmen Challenge on Sunday in DeSoto, Texas.
Bolingbrook junior defensive end Micah Dew-Treadway, Champaign Centennial junior quarterback Jimmy Fitzgerald and O’Fallon sophomore Kentrail Moran also competed against underclassmen from across the country.
Nagel said the 120-degree temperature on the field Sunday was as tough as any competitor.
“I’m not gonna lie. It was hot out there on Sunday,” Nagel said. “It was 120 degrees on the turf, and guys were dropping out of drills and complaining about their feet burning. I was in Florida last month with Core 6 for a 7-on-7, so I think I was used to it a bit better than a lot of other kids.”
Dawson’s leader: St. Rita senior defensive back Lamar Dawson said Syracuse is his leader, and he could be close to making his oral commitment.
“I really get along great with the coaches at Syracuse,” Dawson said. “They offer a great education; plus they are a big-time school and program. I feel good about Syracuse and I’ve been doing a lot of research on them, and it’s all good.”
But Dawson plans to check out two more schools in July.
“Both Minnesota and Kansas State have shown some interest, and they both want me to camp,” Dawson said. “I’m heading to Minnesota on July 19 and then to Kansas State on July 21. If either school offers me at the camp, that could make me rethink a few things.”
Other offers: Western Illinois held a recent one-day camp at the indoor McCook Athletic and Exposition Center, and St. Charles North senior wide receiver Brannon Barry and Joliet Catholic senior offensive lineman J.B. Butler received offers.
Oswego sophomore quarterback Steven Frank has been a big hit on the summer one-day camp circuit and added his first offer from Illinois State last week.
“The Illinois State coaches watched me quite a bit, and they said they are impressed with me and wanted to offer me a scholarship,” Frank said.
