After a whirlwind recruiting process that can best be described as hectic and exhausting, the wait is finally over.
Garrett Goebel, the Montini senior lineman who is regarded as one of the top players in the state of Illinois, recently gave his commitment to Ohio State University, opting for the silver and red of the Buckeyes over the maize and blue of Michigan.
“Ohio State and Michigan were my two favorites,” said Goebel, who received close to 30 scholarship offers from various schools around the country. “There wasn’t really anything negative about either school; both are great schools. I just felt Ohio State was a better fit for me and I felt like that was where I wanted to spend my next four years.”
When Goebel arrives on the campus of Ohio State in 2008, he will take his place as a member of the defensive line, more specifically the defensive tackle position.
“I like defense better,” Goebel said, who visited the school twice, including in late March to watch a spring practice. “Most schools said I could play defense or offense, but I wanted to play defense all along. It didn’t play much a part in my decision.”
Chris Andriano, the legendary Montini head coach entering his 29th year at the helm, knows what the Buckeyes are getting with his star player, who was the Suburban Catholic Conference lineman of the year last fall along with the Class AA individual wrestling champion in the heavyweight division.
“He is relentless and has that motor that never stops,” Andriano said. “He is strong and big enough to fill gaps up front. He has great leverage and because of his wrestling skills, you can't block him 1-on-1. He is just a force; a lean, strong 270-pound kid. And he is a good young man.
“I am really excited and very proud of him. It is a great accomplishment by him and gives a favorable view of our program.”
Now, with his college choice firmly in place, Goebel can set his sights squarely on his final year at the Lombard school, something the senior is certainly looking forward to.
“I am really glad it is over,” the senior said, when asked about the entire recruiting process. “It is nice to be able to focus on my senior year. It (the recruiting process) was fun at first but towards the end it got kind of annoying and hectic.”
“I just want to help my team win a state championship,” said Goebel. “Individually, probably my speed and agility (are the two biggest areas to work on). But I am always looking to improve on everything. I am not really satisfied with anything.”
Goebel will once again be a mainstay on both sides of the ball this fall for the Broncos, with only an occasional rest in sight. That is certainly bad news for his opponents in the trenches, who can expect an even bigger and stronger Goebel to line up opposite them.
“Obviously we expect very consistent performances on the field,” Andriano said of Goebel. “But more than that, leadership and just an attitude that raises everybody else. He has to be the guy everybody looks up to.”
