Beth Long’s football recruiting notebook

Lyons junior quarterback Ben Bryant will play his collegiate ball at Wisconsin.

“I’ve been to three games there and i just love it there,” Bryant said. “I feel like I would be a really good fit in their offense and so do the coaches there.

To say he’s excited might be an understatement.

“It feels great,” Bryant said. “I don’t have to worry about recruiting anymore I can just focus on getting better for next year.”

Mike O’Laughlin on the move

For the area’s top juniors, recruiting is starting to heat up as they head into the offseason.

Take Fenwick junior Mike O’Laughlin, a 6-5, 210-pound wide receiver who had a big junior season for the Friars. He’s received interest from schools all over the area.

“Recently I went to a Wisconsin game,” O’Laughlin said. “I’ve also been to see Illinois, Northwestern, and Central Michigan as well.

O’Laughlin enjoyed the visit to Madison

“It was awesome,” O’Laughlin said. “The school is great, it’s a beautiful area around the school and the atmosphere around the stadium was second to none. I was very impressed with the stadium size and how many people attended the game. Overall it was a great visit.”

As for O’Laughlin’s other visits, he’s been getting a feel for schools of all sizes and locations.

“Central Michigan was also a great trip, very friendly group over there,” O’Laughlin said. “I was impressed with the atmosphere in the stadium. Illinois was also super fun, my father played at Illinois for some of his career so it was cool to go back and see his college. Northwestern was pretty good.”

“Basically, recruiting is going pretty well. On top of the schools that I’ve visited, I’ve heard from Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas State and Purdue. I’ve had a little interest from Duke recently.”

O’Laughlin is currently playing basketball but is planning to attend the US Army All-American combine.

Northern Illinois offers

Several area juniors added offers from Northern Illinois in the last several weeks, including Glenbard North defensive back Tyrik Henderson. He’s one of the most dynamic defensive backs in the area.

The Huskies also offered fellow Glenbard North defensive back Gregory Newsome who helped lead one of the staunchest defensives in the area. Marist defensive lineman Gavin McCabe, a long athletic prospect, also picked up an offer from NIU.

Lake Zurich junior linebacker Jack Sanborn, a 6-2, 210-pound prospect notched an offers from Northern Illinois and Bowling Green recently.