Illini offer under the radar defender
On film, 2015 prospect Robert Windsor from Fond Du Lac (Wisc.) has the look of a kid playing his way to a higher ranking. As it is, the 6-foot-5, 260 pound defensive end is unrated and was still looking for his first D-I offer when Illinois came calling.
It's unusual to find a playmaker like Windsor flying under the radar at this point in his senior season. Illinois has done just that, however, with defensive line coach Greg Colby as the point man.
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Coby made a trip to Windsor's school during the Illini's bye week, and an offer came through shortly after. The Illinois staff liked what they saw of Windsor on film, and it was matter for checking on his academic progress.
"They checked my grades, and they were good enough for them to offer me a full ride," Windsor said. "My coach told me they had been talking back and forth with him. I was really excited to get the offer."
On the field, Windsor has put up strong numbers in helping lead the Fond Du Lac Cardinals to an 8-1 record and a No. 4 ranking in WIAA Division 1. Windsor has posted 54 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 12 tackles for loss.
It's a big turnaround for a team that has struggled in recent years. Windsor said the improvement of his team is one of the big reasons his recruitment is picking up.
"Our program was being rebuilt," Windsor said, in explaining why he wasn't widely known. "We have a totally new coaching staff the last two year."
Windsor lines up a strong-side defensive end in high school, and he has the frame to bulk up and move inside at the next level.
So far his only offers are from Illinois and North Dakota State, though he is hearing from other power conference schools in recent weeks. It's likely just a matter of time before Windsor is longer a well-kept secret.
"My coach came up to me on Monday and told me some ACC schools are looking at me," Windsor said. "I've talked to Minnesota and Nebraska. I went to a game at Minnesota. I talked to Nebraska earlier in the season and they told me we would talk again after the season."
Now that he has the offer in hand, Windsor plans to make a trip to the Illinois campus. He also wants to make another stop at Minnesota, and to NDSU.
According to Windsor, the recruiting process is new to him. He's unsure of his next step, and doesn't yet know when he will make his final college choice.
"I need to sit down with my coach and talk about it," he said. "I haven't been talking to that many colleges yet."
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