2017 DL talks recruiting, Illini
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Zeeland (Mich.) East strong-side defensive end Johnathan Berghorst has not wasted a second this off-season. Between several camps and weight room training, the 6-foot-1, 255-pound athlete has himself physically and mentally prepared for an extremely important junior season.
"I have been getting bigger and lifting hard in the weight room," Berghorst said. "I am now up to 255 pounds. I have been pushing my conditioning since I will be playing both ways at defensive end and h-back. I have been doing a lot of camps and just got done with our first week of practice. Next year is big for my team and me, so I have stayed focused."
Berghorst has camped at six different programs this summer, including Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern, Indiana, and Illinois. Based on the reactions he received from those camps, he is extremely pleased with his performances.
"All those camps went really well for me," Berghorst said. "Illinois actually offered me after seeing what I could do, and the other schools want to see my first two games."
Berghorst is being recruited to play somewhere on the defense line, though that could be at either defensive end or defensive tackle. Either way, he doesn't care which position he plays; he just wants to show off his skills.
"I just like to go out there and play and show people what I can do," Berghorst said. "I really like to think that when I go out there, my strength, size, and physicality jump out. But, I still have to continue to get bigger and work on pass rush."
Notre Dame, Illinois, Purdue, Indiana, MSU, Michigan, Iowa, and Northwestern are the programs coming after Berghorst the hardest. For Illinois, assistant coach Bill Cubit has been the main leader, and the two have built a very close-knit relationship.
"Coach Cubit really is an awesome coach," Berghorst said. "I am really close to him. He was the first coach I met when I was in seventh grade while he was at Western Michigan. And he was also the first coach to offer me, which is important to me."
This positive relationship has also paid huge dividends to Berghorst's view on Illinois. He understands what the Illinois football program has gone through, but firmly believes they will turn it around.
"I really like what Illinois has to offer on and off the field," Berghorst said. "As far as the football program goes, I know they are working really hard to get this program to the point they want it to be at. And I think they are making great steps to become a great program."
Although a decision is nowhere close for Berghorst, he has an idea of what he wants in a program when he ultimately makes his final decision.
"There are a few key things I will be looking at," Berghorst said. "First, I have to keep in mind my intended major, because education is the most important. Then I want them to have a strong strength and conditioning program, for my benefit and also because I want to be a strength and conditioning coach myself. And, of course, I want to go somewhere that has a strong football program."
In the meantime, Berghorst is in the process of figuring out what is destined to be a busy visit schedule.
"I know for sure I will be going to Iowa next weekend," Berghorst said. "But, I have also talked to Michigan, Michigan State, and Indiana about upcoming practice visits. And more will be added later, just have to figure everything out for sure."
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