Downers Grove South senior four star ranked offensive tackle Erik Swenson (6-foot-5, 300 pounds) is still in search of a school to call home. Swenson, who suddenly decommitted from Michigan recently after the Wolverines told him to reopen his recruiting process a few weeks ago. Swenson could also very well extend his recruiting process beyond Signing Day on Feb. 3.
Swenson told Rivals.com's Midwest Recruiting Expert Josh Helmholdt, “As a recruit you are always told Signing Day is a big day. I’ve been talking to a lot of people and the coaches have said you don’t have to sign on the third. A few (spots) would close, I guess, but most would stay open."
Swenson has yet to set up an official visit this weekend and is considering several late offers and options including Virginia, Missouri, Rutgers, North Carolina and Oklahoma. Swenson last weekend made an unofficial visit to Wisconsin, however the Badgers are full and have no additional scholarships left to offer.
Chicago Phillips three star ranked defensive tackle Amir Watts (6-foot-3, 270 pounds) ended his recruiting process and gave Pitt his verbal commitment.
“I liked the Pitt coaches and everything about the school," Watts said. "I get along great with (head coach Pat) Narduzzi since he's a defensive coach. Coach (Tom) Sims and I sat down and compared all of the other schools to Pittsburgh and they just came out on top in every aspect.”
Watts' versatility on the defensive line and the chance to gain potentially early playing time at Pitt was another big factor in his decision.
“They (Pitt) want to use me in every way possible," he said. "I just have to come in, compete and show them what I’ve got."
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Bolingbrook and head coach John Ivlow once again looks to have multiple D1 level recruits in the Class of 2017. The Raiders, who last fall had 37 players on college football rosters earlier this week had both junior defensive end Izayah Green-May (6-foot-6, 210 pounds) and junior wide receiver Kendall Smith (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) add verbal scholarship offers from Bowling Green.
"Bowling Green was in school earlier in the week but I just didn't expect an offer," Green-May said. "It's pretty exciting to get my first offer. I was hoping it would come sometime later in the year but now that it has happened it's pretty exciting."
So who will come away a winner on Signing Day when it comes to landing the best class from the Land of Lincoln? You'll be hard pressed to find anyone who will ink as much quality from this class than Michigan State. The Spartans and head coach Mark Dantonio will land four standouts on the defensive side of the football including two of the Midwest top defensive tackles. The Spartans landed early verbal commitment and will sign the state's top ranked recruit in Hinsdale South four star ranked defensive end Josh King (6-foot-6, 230 pounds) plus Evanston four star ranked defensive tackle Naquan Jones (6-foot-4, 286 pounds), four star ranked defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk (6-foot-4, 300 pounds) along with Fremd four star ranked safety Kenny Lyke (6-foot-2, 185 pounds). Also Hinsdale Central two star ranked offensive center Matt Allen (6-foot-3, 272 pounds) will also sign with the Spartans and will join his older brothers Jack Allen and Brian Allen in East Lansing next fall.