Football recruiting notebook: Phillips star Fabian McCray is in demand

This fall all the buzz around Phillips junior Fabian McCray started quickly. It hasn’t stopped gaining momentum.

He’s racked up 20 scholarship offers, including Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa State, Northern Illinois and Purdue.

McCray turned heads on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats last season. He was a key part of Phillips’ drive to the Class 5A state title. His ability to read the field and play the ball helped the junior stand out on both offense and defense.

“I think we have a chance at winning another state title,” McCray said.

He’s been busy in the meantime though, with recruiting.

“Everything’s been going pretty good with recruiting so far,” McCray said.

It isn’t only the 20 schools that offered that McCray is dealing with. Plenty of other schools have been in contact over the last several months.

“I’ve been talking to Minnesota, Michigan and Rutgers,” McCray said. “Plus, I plan on going to Kentucky sometime this spring or summer.”

McCray wants to build his knowledge base about the schools that have expressed interest in him.

“When I take visits I am looking for the facilities, environment and the just the people that I will be around of course mainly the players,” McCray said.

The 6-2, 180-pound junior is focused on honing his own game.

“I want to get bigger and faster,” McCray said. “That focus has been going great, I can see the growth in my size and speed.”

McCray has the speed and skill to play several positions on the field, but right now he spends most of his time at defensive back and receiver.

“I am bigger than most defensive backs and I think that will help take my game to the next level,” McCray said. “With my size I can be a problem for all wide receivers.”

McCray is hoping to add slot receiver to his resume this fall, which will show schools that are extending offers to him that he’s versatile.

“I’d like to be able to show colleges that I can play any receiver position,” McCray said. “I hear my strength as a receiver is my route running and ability to high point the ball.”

Phillips will be loaded again this coming season. There are several players that McCray expects to step up and make names for themselves.

“Look for Leonard Smith,” McCray said. “He plays quarterback and defensive back. He came from Hubbard and he will definitely open some eyes this season.

“Also Richard Price. He may be undersized but he plays like he is six-foot tall. I’m sure he’ll attract some schools too.”

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McCray’s teammate Dominic Bass might only be a freshman but he’s adding offers quickly. The defensive lineman already has offers from From Florida, Iowa State, Michigan and Michigan State.

Another athlete adding offers is Lake Zurich junior Luke Dwyer. The 6-3, 200-pound linebacker is impressing schools with his size. Colgate has offered.

Lake Park junior Patrick Panasiuk, the younger brother of Michigan State’s Jacub Panasiuk, picked up an offer from Holy Cross. And Buffalo Grove linebacker Tom Trieb has added an offer from Northern Illinois.