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Wednesday, December 19, 2007 11:12 PM CST
EIU lands Lemont linebacker
By BRIAN NIELSEN Sports Editor
bnielsen@jg-tc.com
LEMONT – The leading tackler from Class 6A state runner-up Lemont is headed to Eastern Illinois with some high praise from his football coach.
“He’s the toughest player I’ve ever coached in 22 years,” Lemont’s Eric Michaelsen said. “He is a tremendous athlete.”
Gordon Kickels, a 6-foot-1, 220-pounder, is the tough linebacker who has announced his verbal commitment to play for Eastern.
He was a three-year All-Suburban Conference linebacker at Lemont, which the past season finished 11-3 losing the IHSA Class 6A championship game to Joliet Catholic.
He also placed fourth in last season’s state wrestling finals in the 189-pound weight class. This season Kickels is competing at 215 pounds.
Asked to elaborate about Kickels’ toughness, Michaelsen said: “It’s the whole package. A physicalness, sideline to sideline, he never backs down, a tremendous hitter.”
Michigan State, Penn State, Northern Illinois and Central Michigan were others than expressed interest in Kickels before he chose Eastern.
“He was looked at by big schools,” Michaelsen said. “I think he liked the coaches that he dealt with (at Eastern). He’s hoping to get a look.
“I think he’s going to do a great job there. Eastern has an excellent tradition of producing winning football teams. We’ve been lucky enough to have some success here and hopefully that will carry over.”
Kickels becomes the second player from a state runner-up to verbally commit to Eastern.
Ben Olson, a two-way offensive tackle from Class 5A state Morris, early said he was joining the Panthers.
Also saying he is transferring to Eastern is Chevon Walker, a redshirt freshman from the University of Florida.
NCAA rules do not allow Eastern coaches to comment about prospects until after the signing period, which for high school players is in February.
The early signing for junior college transfers began Wednesday with no immediate announcements from Eastern.
Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com
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