Lyons QB Bryant back on the market
Recruiting can change in an instant. Just take a look at Lyons quarterback Ben Bryant. The junior committed to Wisconsin after the Badgers offered him a scholarship during his sophomore season.
“Wisconsin was one of my first offers a year ago,” Bryant said. “I knew that day that I wanted to be a Badger.”
Bryant, who will be one of the area’s top players next season, decommitted this month and reopened his recruitment.
“My recruitment was shut down very early in December,” Bryant said. “Many coaches who visited my high school knew from both my high school coaches and from me that I was 100 percent committed to Wisconsin.”
That’s when things got interesting. Bryant continued to gain interest from schools and most recently received an offer from Georgia. It’s normal for players to add offers from schools after they’ve committed.
“I had no intention of visiting Georgia,” Bryant said. “I had no intention of committing to Georgia. However, I felt very complimented by this offer and appreciated very much the attention they were showing me.”
He has gained a lot of interest because of his arm strength and accuracy. This offseason, he’s playing seven- on- seven with Midwest Boom.
First offer for H- F’s Griffin
Homewood- Flossmoor continues to develop athletes who attract attention on the recruiting trail. The latest is junior Jeffrey Griffin, a 6- 2, 240- pound lineman who just received his first offer, from Indiana State.
“It was a great feeling, honestly,” Griffin said. “I was shocked about getting the offer, and it took me by surprise. It felt great to know that I was doing something right and finally going down the right path.”
The first offer is a special one for the player and his family.
“My family was happier than me, actually. They couldn’t stop prais- ing it and kept telling me to strive for more and keep pushing,” Griffin said. “They’ve seen me work my whole life and put everything I’ve had into this sport and were glad to see it pay off.”
There are other schools on Griffin’s recruiting radar.
“I’ll definitely be visiting Indiana State in a few weeks,” Griffin said. “I have an Iowa camp I’ll be attend- ing, Northwestern camp, Northern Illinois, North Central and the Rivals camp next weekend.”
Griffin wants to prove he’s as good as anyone in the state.
“I’m out to show everyone that I’m the best underestimated player in the state,” he said. “I didn’t have defensive film this year, but I know what I got and I know what I can do. So I’m out to prove that people need to watch for me.”
Griffin also has heard from Iowa, Missouri State, Michigan State, North Dakota State and Toledo.
“I’m a big- body player with good feet and good speed off the edge for someone my size, very strong and athletic with an attitude,” Griffin said.