Sandburg’s Quinn Durkin actually developed a pretty good itinerary.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound junior running back had a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call Wednesday to participate in the South Suburban Showcase at 6 a.m. on his school’s football field in Orland Park.
“The coaches had a great plan for us,” Durkin said. “We were told hard to carb up and hydrate. Get your body loose in the morning. Stretching.”
What wasn’t in the plan was that Durkin, who’s also a baseball player for the Eagles, would suffer a minor groin injury running the bases during Monday’s 7-6 win over Homewood-Flossmoor.
Still, in front of nearly 100 college coaches, Durkin took part in the drills. Even with the injury, he came through with a 40.7-inch vertical jump. leading to high-fives from his Sandburg teammates.
Durkin confirmed his personal best is a 42, but he had the No. 1 jump among the 103 campers. He also participated in all of the other drills during the two-hour session Wednesday.
“I’m 100% happy with what I did — I feel like I did what I could with what I had,” he said. “I’m glad we have this.”
It’s the first year for the showcase at Sandburg.
The Illinois High School Association, through through the efforts of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association, sanctioned 18 showcases this spring across the state in April and May.
Close to 100 coaches representing 60 colleges signed up for the Orland Park event, although Power Four conference schools were not a part of the equation in any of the state’s combines.
“They were told ‘no’ right before they started,” Sandburg coach Sheamus Murphy said of the Power Four. “They said these showcases were not compliant, which is kind of a head-scratcher because this is an IHSA-sanctioned event.
“Hopefully, next year, that gets corrected.”
Sandburg’s combine also featured players from Homewood-Flossmoor, Lemont, Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way West and Stagg.
Lincoln-Way East’s Matthew Merlos, a junior defensive back, had the best pro agility score of 4.18 seconds, with Durkin taking second at 4.19.
Lincoln-Way East junior defensive back Michael Simonetti was first in the L drill with a 6.85, while Lincoln-Way Central junior defensive lineman Justin Langford and Sandburg junior defensive back Jake Drew had the best results in the broad jump at 9-9.
Murphy pointed out that the event was a “win-win” for athletes, high school coaches and college coaches. St. Xavier coach Mike Feminis noted his staff has been to 10 of the showcases.
“This certainly gives us all a head start,” Feminis said. “We get to watch kids run around a little bit and you can get their names. It’s a great way to get started with the recruiting cycle.”
Murphy, meanwhile, felt the combine was big for uncommitted players like Durkin.
“He’s a kid that we foresee as under the radar,” Murphy said. “This is a perfect day for someone like him.”
Durkin, who has an offer from Western Illinois, made a visit to Illinois. He has interest from Illinois State, Central Michigan and Ivy League programs, including Cornell.
He enjoyed working out in front of so many coaches on his home field.
“This is great exposure,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t get as many looks during the season. Sometimes you go to these crowded camps you may get one rep.
“This was run very well. Everyone got an equal amount of reps. And you are going up against the best players in the area.”
Durkin started playing football with the Orland Park Pioneers in first grade and was a lineman.
“I’ve started playing running back after that,” he said. “On defense, I’ve played outside linebacker and now I’m playing defensive back.
“I’m a multitool kind of guy. Punt returns. Kick returns. Wherever I’m needed.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
