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10-20-2005, 11:20 AM
Illinois' Top Recruits by Intermat (http://www.intermatwrestle.com)
Brandon Precin
Carl Sandburg H.S., Orland Park
Projected college weight: 133/141
Background: The best wrestler on the best team in Illinois secured his first state championship last season in the always tough 125 weight class. Brandon, a three time All-Stater is a very solid wrestler who never strays far from his signature fireman’s carry. Precin clinched the Dual Team state title for Sandburg last spring with a win in the final match. Brandon is a 2x Cadet/Junior Freestyle All American.
What makes him a #1: A very quiet personality make Brandon easy to miss but his work ethic and consistency on the mat will make him a coaches dream to have. Brandon is probably the strongest wrestler pound for pound in Illinois and wrestles for the best coaching staff in Illinois.
Where he’s looking: Open
Jimmy Kennedy
Grant H.S., Fox Lake
Projected college weight: 125
Background: The most decorated national wrestler in Illinois, Jimmy was a state champ in 2004. Last season in Illinois toughest weight class (119) that featured a who’s who of Illinois best wrestlers Kennedy placed third, defeating Kyle Hutter. A 3x All State wrestler, Kennedy finished second as a freshman to Iowa State’s Nick Fanthorpe. Jimmy has been a Cadet and Junior National All American the last three years including the 112 national championship in 2004.
What makes him a top recruit: Kennedy’s technique is as close to perfect as you can get and he never beats himself. Physically very strong, Jimmy is a solid wrestler who can only get better in one of the nation’s top wrestling programs. Every big time coach knows who he is so the competition will be stiff for his services.
Where he’s looking: Columbia, Cornell, Illinois, Michigan, Northwestern, Stanford
John Dergo
Morris H.S., Morris
Projected college weight: 184
Background: The top multi sport athlete in Illinois, John is a 2x All State football running back/linebacker who bypassed many football offers to pursue wrestling. Dergo, the defending 171 state champ is a solid technician who’s on the mat wrestling is the best in Illinois. He did not do much summer wrestling because of football but make no mistake; this kid is a national level wrestler.
What makes him a top recruit: Dergo is a coach’s son who has been on the mat since he was four years old. A natural leader by example, John will be a force on the NCAA level and surprise many who are not aware of whom he is.
Where he’s looking: Illinois (committed)
Dalton Bullard
Belvedere H.S., Belvedere
Projected college weight; 125/133
Background: Dalton’s in your face, grinding style has been good enough to make him a three time placer. Getting past Nick Fanthorpe (Naperville North/Iowa State) and Brandon Precin, the last three years has proved to be Dalton’s road block to a state title. Look for more of the same as Bullard the state runner up and Precin, the state champ, project at the same senior year (130) weight. A physical wrestler Bullard has just started to explore the national scene and look for him to make a splash at Fargo next summer.
What makes him a top recruit: Being new to national tournaments makes Bullard a mid level D1 dark horse prospect. His love of the sport and gritty, pounding style makes Bullard a top school prospect for the coach willing to take the chance.
Where he’s looking: Open
Kyle Hutter
Providence Catholic H.S. New Lenox
Projected college weight: 125/133
Background: The most improved wrestler in Illinois the last three years, there is no reason to believe the same trend will not continue. Kyle became an All-stater last year and a Fargo Junior All American in the summer. Hutter’s battles with Morgan and Kennedy have become legendary in Illinois. The wrestler with the best low single in Illinois has developed into a solid technician through hours of hard work in the practice room.
What makes him a top recruit: College coaches would be smart to place this work horse on their shopping list. His always improving style along with a refuse to lose attitude, will translate into a good college wrestler.
Where he’s looking: Open
Mario Morgan
Mt. Carmel H.S., Chicago
Projected college weight: 133
Background: Mario, a three-time state quarterfinalist, has found more success on the national scene than at his own state tournament. The three time Illinois Freestyle / Greco State Champ was injured, while winning in the last seconds of the 2004 All American FS place match at the Junior Nationals. Mario’s funky mat style lead to many exciting matches for the Brute-Adidas 2005 Folkstyle All American and the 2004 AAU National Champion. Morgan has won three Chicago Catholic League championships and may become just the seventh four-time champ in 85 years with a title in ’06.
What makes him a top recruit: A tireless off season worker, Mario will continue to grow and develop in the UNO system at 133/141. Athletic and a solid technician, explosive on his feet with pinning ability Morgan always wrestles to the end and has won numerous matches in the closing seconds.
Where he’s looking: Nebraska-Omaha (committed)
Brian Martin
Montini H.S. Lombard
Projected college weight: 133/141
Background: Brian, a two time state champ in class A (small) has defeated many AA wrestlers as his school wrestles a national schedule including an appearance in the Clash. Tall and lanky, Martin’s style is athletic and constant. His run to back to back titles has been virtually unchallenged and he is definitely a big school wrestler.
What makes him a top recruit: Not being on the national scene may hurt Martin but college recruiters that take a chance will find a gem.
Where he is looking; Open
Steve Dwyer
Rockton H.S., Honenegah
Projected college weight: 174
Background: A pure power wrestler, Steve broke through on the state level last year with a runner up (152) finish to Illinois-bound Sean Reynolds, last years top Illinois wrestler, losing a close match 3-2. The states top ranked wrestler this year at 171, Dwyer should dominate with his physical style.
What makes him a top recruit: Steve seems to have the knack of winning close matches and dominating matches he should dominate. In the right program and with potential to continue growing Dwyer could become an NCAA beast.
Where he is looking: Open
Caitlyn Chase
Glenbard North H.S., Carol Stream
Projected international weight: 106.5
Background: Caitlyn is not your everyday female wrestler. In 2004-05 she had a banner junior season, winning two matches at the Olympic trials, becoming the first female to qualify for the boys state, pulled off a surprise win to send the 2x defending state champs to defeat at the dual state, took the 103 state champ to his back for a near pin and won a second Junior National championship in the female divison at Junior Nationals in Fargo. Chase’s in your face style and no holes barred attitude translate to potential future Olympian.
What makes her a top recruit: There is just something about her that says this is a wrestler. Her work ethic and willingness to do whatever to succeed means she is a college wrestler and someone will take a chance.
Where she is looking: Olympic Training Center
Nate Everhart
Andrew H.S. Tinley Park
Projected college weight: 197
Background: Nate burst on to the Illinois state wrestling scene midway through last season, becoming top ranked, qualified for the state tournament and All State by placing fifth. Everhart’s big frame and natural strength means lots of potential for the future. Everhart, one of the top baseball players in the state has decided to purse wrestling in college.
What makes him a top recruit: Potential. Every D1 coach is looking for it and Everhart has loads of it. All Nate needs is plenty of coaching and mat time and his future is bright.
Where he is looking: Open
Brandon Precin
Carl Sandburg H.S., Orland Park
Projected college weight: 133/141
Background: The best wrestler on the best team in Illinois secured his first state championship last season in the always tough 125 weight class. Brandon, a three time All-Stater is a very solid wrestler who never strays far from his signature fireman’s carry. Precin clinched the Dual Team state title for Sandburg last spring with a win in the final match. Brandon is a 2x Cadet/Junior Freestyle All American.
What makes him a #1: A very quiet personality make Brandon easy to miss but his work ethic and consistency on the mat will make him a coaches dream to have. Brandon is probably the strongest wrestler pound for pound in Illinois and wrestles for the best coaching staff in Illinois.
Where he’s looking: Open
Jimmy Kennedy
Grant H.S., Fox Lake
Projected college weight: 125
Background: The most decorated national wrestler in Illinois, Jimmy was a state champ in 2004. Last season in Illinois toughest weight class (119) that featured a who’s who of Illinois best wrestlers Kennedy placed third, defeating Kyle Hutter. A 3x All State wrestler, Kennedy finished second as a freshman to Iowa State’s Nick Fanthorpe. Jimmy has been a Cadet and Junior National All American the last three years including the 112 national championship in 2004.
What makes him a top recruit: Kennedy’s technique is as close to perfect as you can get and he never beats himself. Physically very strong, Jimmy is a solid wrestler who can only get better in one of the nation’s top wrestling programs. Every big time coach knows who he is so the competition will be stiff for his services.
Where he’s looking: Columbia, Cornell, Illinois, Michigan, Northwestern, Stanford
John Dergo
Morris H.S., Morris
Projected college weight: 184
Background: The top multi sport athlete in Illinois, John is a 2x All State football running back/linebacker who bypassed many football offers to pursue wrestling. Dergo, the defending 171 state champ is a solid technician who’s on the mat wrestling is the best in Illinois. He did not do much summer wrestling because of football but make no mistake; this kid is a national level wrestler.
What makes him a top recruit: Dergo is a coach’s son who has been on the mat since he was four years old. A natural leader by example, John will be a force on the NCAA level and surprise many who are not aware of whom he is.
Where he’s looking: Illinois (committed)
Dalton Bullard
Belvedere H.S., Belvedere
Projected college weight; 125/133
Background: Dalton’s in your face, grinding style has been good enough to make him a three time placer. Getting past Nick Fanthorpe (Naperville North/Iowa State) and Brandon Precin, the last three years has proved to be Dalton’s road block to a state title. Look for more of the same as Bullard the state runner up and Precin, the state champ, project at the same senior year (130) weight. A physical wrestler Bullard has just started to explore the national scene and look for him to make a splash at Fargo next summer.
What makes him a top recruit: Being new to national tournaments makes Bullard a mid level D1 dark horse prospect. His love of the sport and gritty, pounding style makes Bullard a top school prospect for the coach willing to take the chance.
Where he’s looking: Open
Kyle Hutter
Providence Catholic H.S. New Lenox
Projected college weight: 125/133
Background: The most improved wrestler in Illinois the last three years, there is no reason to believe the same trend will not continue. Kyle became an All-stater last year and a Fargo Junior All American in the summer. Hutter’s battles with Morgan and Kennedy have become legendary in Illinois. The wrestler with the best low single in Illinois has developed into a solid technician through hours of hard work in the practice room.
What makes him a top recruit: College coaches would be smart to place this work horse on their shopping list. His always improving style along with a refuse to lose attitude, will translate into a good college wrestler.
Where he’s looking: Open
Mario Morgan
Mt. Carmel H.S., Chicago
Projected college weight: 133
Background: Mario, a three-time state quarterfinalist, has found more success on the national scene than at his own state tournament. The three time Illinois Freestyle / Greco State Champ was injured, while winning in the last seconds of the 2004 All American FS place match at the Junior Nationals. Mario’s funky mat style lead to many exciting matches for the Brute-Adidas 2005 Folkstyle All American and the 2004 AAU National Champion. Morgan has won three Chicago Catholic League championships and may become just the seventh four-time champ in 85 years with a title in ’06.
What makes him a top recruit: A tireless off season worker, Mario will continue to grow and develop in the UNO system at 133/141. Athletic and a solid technician, explosive on his feet with pinning ability Morgan always wrestles to the end and has won numerous matches in the closing seconds.
Where he’s looking: Nebraska-Omaha (committed)
Brian Martin
Montini H.S. Lombard
Projected college weight: 133/141
Background: Brian, a two time state champ in class A (small) has defeated many AA wrestlers as his school wrestles a national schedule including an appearance in the Clash. Tall and lanky, Martin’s style is athletic and constant. His run to back to back titles has been virtually unchallenged and he is definitely a big school wrestler.
What makes him a top recruit: Not being on the national scene may hurt Martin but college recruiters that take a chance will find a gem.
Where he is looking; Open
Steve Dwyer
Rockton H.S., Honenegah
Projected college weight: 174
Background: A pure power wrestler, Steve broke through on the state level last year with a runner up (152) finish to Illinois-bound Sean Reynolds, last years top Illinois wrestler, losing a close match 3-2. The states top ranked wrestler this year at 171, Dwyer should dominate with his physical style.
What makes him a top recruit: Steve seems to have the knack of winning close matches and dominating matches he should dominate. In the right program and with potential to continue growing Dwyer could become an NCAA beast.
Where he is looking: Open
Caitlyn Chase
Glenbard North H.S., Carol Stream
Projected international weight: 106.5
Background: Caitlyn is not your everyday female wrestler. In 2004-05 she had a banner junior season, winning two matches at the Olympic trials, becoming the first female to qualify for the boys state, pulled off a surprise win to send the 2x defending state champs to defeat at the dual state, took the 103 state champ to his back for a near pin and won a second Junior National championship in the female divison at Junior Nationals in Fargo. Chase’s in your face style and no holes barred attitude translate to potential future Olympian.
What makes her a top recruit: There is just something about her that says this is a wrestler. Her work ethic and willingness to do whatever to succeed means she is a college wrestler and someone will take a chance.
Where she is looking: Olympic Training Center
Nate Everhart
Andrew H.S. Tinley Park
Projected college weight: 197
Background: Nate burst on to the Illinois state wrestling scene midway through last season, becoming top ranked, qualified for the state tournament and All State by placing fifth. Everhart’s big frame and natural strength means lots of potential for the future. Everhart, one of the top baseball players in the state has decided to purse wrestling in college.
What makes him a top recruit: Potential. Every D1 coach is looking for it and Everhart has loads of it. All Nate needs is plenty of coaching and mat time and his future is bright.
Where he is looking: Open