Colleges want to see Lemont quarterback Nagel play defense

Lemont's Brett Nagel, one of the best uncommitted football prospects in the Chicago area, is giving college recruiters a lot to think about as they debate whether to offer him a scholarship.

But the 6-4, 225-pound senior isn't in a hurry to make a decision.

''He's playing it smart,'' CSTV recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said. ''He will get more offers. Colleges want to see him play defense before making an offer. He is a great athlete with great range and potential. He'll probably be an outside linebacker in college.''

At the moment, Nagel is playing quarterback. He rushed 14 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns in last Friday's 27-7 victory over Sterling. But he wants to play outside linebacker in college and said Iowa, Boston College, Stanford and Northwestern are the leaders.

''I wanted to make a commitment by June, but I made a lot of visits and couldn't get set on one school,'' he said. ''It's a tougher decision than I thought it would be. No light went off. Now I don't anticipate making a decision until after the season.''

UNDER THE RADAR: Add 6-4 wide receiver Milton Colbert of Willowbrook to the list of uncommitted seniors whom college recruiters are evaluating. In two games, Colbert has caught 10 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns.

An outstanding athlete, he also plays basketball and was a state qualifier in the high jump last spring.

''Basketball was his first love,'' Willowbrook coach Mark Olson said. ''He didn't play football last year. But now he realizes he is a football player who also plays basketball. Colleges are waiting to see how he develops as a senior. When they see his tape, they will be buzzing.''

GEORGIA PEACH: Every coach dreams of seeing a transfer enroll at his school with the talent and potential of Chandler Whitmer, a 6-1, 190-pound sophomore quarterback who moved from Canton, Ga., and joined coach John Belskis' football squad at Downers Grove South this season.

Last week, Whitmer completed 10 of 23 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-21 victory over York. He also has an outstanding receiver in 6-3 junior Wes Manzer, who caught five passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-yarder.

How good is Whitmer? After choosing Downers South over Neuqua Valley and Naperville North, he beat out returning starter Sean Enright and Greg Fox, who quarterbacked a 9-0 sophomore team last season. Now Enright plays free safety and Fox plays tight end.

''For a sophomore quarterback, he is talented and has great knowledge of the position,'' Belskis said. ''His whole life is football. Honestly, I didn't think he'd pick us after seeing our facilities. In 19 years, I've only had one transfer [tailback Jamie Kyle in 1993] who has helped us.''

FINNEY REPORT: Kevin Finney, Lake Forest's 6-6 wide receiver, is another prospect whose senior tape will be scrutinized by college recruiters.

They project him as a tight end if he adds 25 to 30 pounds. He is considering Indiana, Miami (Ohio), Purdue and Iowa State.

LEO'S LIONS: Coach Mike Holmes has a stable of outstanding juniors, including at least four Division I prospects. They are running back Robert Morgan, a 6-3, 225-pounder with 4.55 speed who has rushed for 375 yards, scored six touchdowns and averaged 11 yards per carry in two games; 6-4 quarterback Darwin Rogers; 6-5, 340-pound tackle Leon Hill, and 6-3, 365-pound tackle Ajani Beckley. One senior to watch is 6-3, 330-pound center Eric Rouse Jr., son of the former Mendel and Illinois standout.