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In-state DE hoping for Illini offer

Illinois has had success recruiting Bolingbrook (Ill.) in recent years, with Aaron Bailey and Robbie Bain being the most recent alums to sign with the Illini. Coach Beckman and the staff have found another Bolingbrook prospect to track in Micah Dew-Treadway, a 2015 strong-side defensive end.
Dew-Treadway (6-foot-3, 276 pounds) has been gearing up for his junior season. After much hard work and dedication during the summer, he is ready to come out with a bang.
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"Well we want to come out and give our school something to talk about with a win against Hinsdale Central," Dew-Treadway said. "We have worked hard studying film, doing the little things, and we should show on the field. We have our first home game against Romeoville--which is senior night--and we hope to take of them and get the season started the right way and carry the momentum from
there. It should be exciting."
A factor often overlooked by high school athletes, Dew-Treadway knows the importance in studying film on himself and future opponents. He sets aside time every couple nights to review film from last season in preparation of making himself a better player for the upcoming game.
"I probably spend one hour looking at our defense from last year and another hour looking at our opponents," Dew-Treadway said. "I do it for mental reps. The more you see it, the easier it is to dissect. You want to be ahead of the game on defense; the offense already knows the snap count and the play."
Dew-Treadway offers much more than just a positive work ethic. On the field, he aims to cause havoc and be a constant worry for the lineman lining up across from him. While he knows he has a great skill set for a player his size, he also knows he has plenty to work on before hitting the collegiate level.
"My coaches tell me, and believe for the most part, that I have great physical attributes that I use very well," Dew-Treadway said. "My game is meant to pound the guy across from me until he tires out. Playing defensive end and defensive tackle is all about having a very high motor-coming off the ball hard and killing the guy across from you.
"I need to work on my motor a little; sprinting when the ball is away, chasing ball carriers down; and sacking the QB. I have to work on foot speed a little, but for the most part I'm up there with the best of them. I can't say I have a playing style like any one now, but my defensive coach-who coached at Lincoln Way East-told me he wanted to model my game after D.J. Pirkle, now at Northern Illinois, who is a high motor, get-in-your-pads type of guy. He brings the wood every time he fires off the ball. He's got a great 'no prisoners, no mercy' strategy."
Although Dew-Treadway's only offer at this point comes from Mississippi State, there are a handful of programs that continue to show him interest. And if Illinois were to pull the trigger and offer, it would tough for Dew-Treadway to turn down the in-state program.
"Illinois, Cincinnati, Michigan, Michigan State, Kansas, Ole Miss, and Nebraska are the schools that have taken the most interest," Dew-Treadway said. "I really want an offer from Illinois and Michigan, but definitely Illinois. I would probably commit if they offered. But I still have to show that I have what it
takes to be Division One ready and I hope to do that with my film."
There is a reason behind Dew-Treadway's love for the Illini.
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"Illinois is my home state school first of all," Dew-Treadway said. "Most of the big names from my high school went there. Also, my aunt and uncle are alumni and they show me a lot of love with recruiting. I would love to go there and play with Robbie Bain and Aaron Bailey, two guys who have hung out with a couple guys from our school. It would be a blessing."
Another factor that has influenced Dew-Treadway's opinion is the Illinois coaching staff. His main recruiters are assistant coaches Alex Golesh and Mike Ward. He also met defensive line coach Greg Colby when he attended an Illinois camp over the summer. Dew-Treadway is very impressed with the entire staff.
"Those three guys and the whole Illinois staff in general are great coaches on a mission to get better," Dew-Treadway said. "They have a fire in them that makes me appreciate Illinois football and I hope to get to know them even better."
Besides the Illinois camp, Dew-Treadway also attended the Rivals 250 Underclassman Challenge in Desoto, Texas, where he had an opportunity to showcase his skills and learn from some of the best players across the country.
"It was a lot fun of at that camp and a great experience," Dew-Treadway said. "I learned a lot at the camp and I have a much better idea of the things I need to improve on because of that. All the kids in the camp were wise above their years and I learned a lot watching them."
Dew-Treadway has no dates set for upcoming visits, but he says he would like to try to get a look at most of the schools recruiting him.
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