RECRUITING: Scholarships out there for qualified players

Thirty-five high school football players from the area have made oral commitments to Division I colleges, and recruiting analyst Tom Lemming predicts at least 30 more will receive full-ride scholarships between now and the national signing date in February.

So Lemming's message to uncommitted prospects is: ''There still are scholarships available. Some kids are de-committing. There are three months to go. If you are good enough, there is a college out there for you. But you must make them aware who you are and what you have done.''

It isn't easy. Because so many players committed early, colleges lost interest in the Chicago area and began to look elsewhere, especially in the South where so many top prospects remain uncommitted. Now, when colleges visit the city and suburbs, they are evaluating juniors, not seniors.

Wauconda coach Glen Kozlowski, the former Bears receiver, can't understand why fullback Brad Wisniewski has no offers. Lemming describes the 6-2, 235-pounder as ''the best fullback in the state.'' Kozlowski believes he could play fullback or inside linebacker in Division I.

''Because of family reasons, he didn't go to camps in the summer so he didn't get a lot of exposure,'' Kozlowski said. ''I'm sending film and calling colleges from the Big Ten to the MAC to the Mountain West. Twenty-five schools have expressed interest. He's starting to get on everybody's radar.''

Wisniewski has rushed for 1,611 yards, but hasn't received much attention from colleges because many don't employ fullbacks in their offenses. Wauconda hasn't produced any Division I players in the past, so recruiters don't make a habit of stopping there.

Loyola coach John Holecek, another former NFL player, can't understand why quarterback Peter Badovinac and wide receiver/safety Brian Lindsay haven't attracted more interest from Division I schools. But the good news is they are beginning to request tape.

Badovinac, the Catholic League Blue's offensive player of the year, has completed 60 percent of his passes (114-of-195) for 1,630 yards and 17 touchdowns. Holecek said the 6-3, 210-pounder ''is a pure quarterback, not somebody to be moved to another position because of his athleticism.''

While Badovinac got a lot of exposure last summer, Holecek is concerned that Lindsay is being overlooked. He said the 6-2, 205-pounder ''is consistently the most athletic guy on the field. He is a can't-miss, high Division 1 player. I think he can gain 20 pounds in two years and can be an outstanding outside linebacker with great [4.6] speed.''

Going into the quarterfinals of the state playoffs this weekend, there are several other uncommitted seniors who have opportunities to boost their stock and attract the attention of college recruiters. The list is headed by Richards, quarterback-defensive back Tommie Thomas and Lemont quarterback-linebacker Brett Nagel.

Other Division I prospects who are floating under the radar and haven't created much interest are wide receiver Kevin Finney of Lake Forest, tight end Devin Henderson and defensive end Sean Progar of Glenbrook South, wide receiver Ty Kirk and linebacker Joe Okon of Rolling Meadows, quarterbacks Mark Tolzien of Fremd and Eddie Valiunas of Lyons and defensive back Brendan Murray of Notre Dame.