Recruiting picks up for junior tight end

St. Charles (Ill.) North tight end Griffin Hammer has three offers and with his 6-5, 225-pound build is a prospect to watch at the collegiate level.

“Miami Ohio was my first offer so I was very excited, especially to get it from such a good program. It was Christmas Eve too which made it even better,” Hammer said. Plus I have (offers from) Ohio and Western Michigan, which is pretty exciting.”

Hammer posted over 500 yards receiving as a junior. A good all-around athlete, he also suits up for St. Charles North on the basketball court this winter.

A long list of school have shown interest. Hammer has heard from Ohio State, Wisconsin, Duke, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Boston College, Indiana, Toledo, Miami Ohio, Wake Forest and others.

“I’ve been to Wisconsin a few times and I would like to get back for another visit. I plan on going to Duke, Ohio State, Miami-Ohio, Western Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa State,” Hammer said.

Hammer has a good relationship with Illinois, but his primary recruiter, Alex Golesh, departed after the season so he is starting new and building relationships with the current staff.

“I haven’t heard as much from them after Coach Golesh took the job at Iowa State,” Hammer said. “But when I am looking at programs I’ll be looking at the coaching staff, the academics, facilities and the proximity to home.”

Proximity to home is a positive factor for the Illini, but that’s not all Hammer is looking for in a college. He plans to get out and see some schools soon.

“With the recruiting process I am looking forward to seeing how different all the programs are,” he said. “Recruiting is going pretty well overall; it’s really been picking up lately. Tons of schools have been in contact with me and want me to come out to their junior days.”