Sports
Fuessel Orally Commits to Northwestern
The Lincoln-Way East quarterback, who committed to NIU earlier in the year, will now play for Northwestern.
Lincoln-Way East High School Griffins quarterback Tom Fuessel orally committed to Northwestern University on Saturday afternoon, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune.
“I couldn’t pass that opportunity up,” Fuessel told the Tribune. “It’s a great school and coach (Pat) Fitzgerald is a great guy.”
Fuessel committed to play for Northern Illinois University during the summer, the Tribune reports. However, he recently re-opened his recruitment due to concerns that Northern coach Dave Doeren might leave NIU after the Huskies’ successful 12-1 season, according to an earlier report from Sun-Time Media.
Find out what's happening in Frankfortwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Doeren announced on Saturday that he will be leaving NIU effective immediately to take a head coaching position at North Carolina State University.
Fuessel told the Tribune that he doesn’t yet know what position he’ll be playing at Northwestern, but that there has been some discussion of wide receiver.
Find out what's happening in Frankfortwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
At 6 feet, 3 inches and 180 pounds, Fuessel rushed for 1,502 yards and 21 touchdowns, and passed for 1,141 yards and eight scores for East, according to Sun-Times Media.
Fuessel’s athleticism and speed mean that he could play several positions at Northwestern, the Tribune reports.
The Griffins ended the 2012-13 season with a loss to Glenbard West in the Class 7A state championships.
Get news alerts and Facebook updates from these Lincoln-Way Patch sites:
- New Lenox newsletter and New Lenox Patch Facebook
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
