Running back Seth Glatz (45) was one of the state’s top rushers as a high school senior. This fall, he will be a lead back for Western Illinois. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
Third in a series; Next: Southern Illinois
By Barry Bottino
Seth Glatz rushed for 3,246 yards and 46 touchdowns as a high school senior in 2021.
But the 78 yards he gained in November against Illinois State could propel the redshirt freshman running back from Morton High School near Peoria into a big season at Western Illinois.
“Being able to get that experience and to produce definitely built my confidence,” Glatz said. “(It helped me) know I’ve still got it, and I can compete at that level.”
Glatz is one of four Fresh Faces at Western Illinois this fall. The annual Prairie State Pigskin series introduces readers to newcomers to the roster and returnees who will play expanded roles.
Though Western’s biggest success while rushing for 232 yards in November at ISU was between the tackles, Glatz said he prefers a different strategy.
“I’m definitely more of an elusive back,” he said. “I’ll still lower my shoulder, but I try to avoid people. I like running behind my O-linemen.”
Western (0-11) is coming off its first winless season since 1944 and massive roster turnover amid the arrival of new head coach Myers Hendrickson.
Now in the second year of Hendrickson’s tenure, Western’s players are enjoying a higher level of understanding of the playbook.
“I’m feeling a lot more comfortable in the offense, knowing the plays and knowing where to go and what to do,” said Glatz, who has changed back to the jersey number he wore in high school, No. 20.
The Leathernecks are in dire need of an offensive turnaround.
Last season, Western ranked in the bottom 10 nationally in rushing yards per game (88.5), total offense (272.6) and scoring offense (13.6). WIU was one of only six teams in the country to average fewer than 14 points a game in 2022.
The coaching staff brought in several new faces on the offensive line and two transfer quarterbacks – Illinois native Matt Morrissey (Northern Iowa) and Nathan Lamb, who threw for more than 4,600 yards in his California juco career.
“We’re a lot closer as a group, and we know how each other plays,” Glatz said. “The whole offense has evolved. I feel like our passing game has been a lot better.”
The Leathernecks lost three games by seven points or fewer last season, including the 20-13 overtime defeat against Illinois State in November. So Glatz said his goals – and those of the team – are clear in the program’s final season in the Missouri Valley Football Conference before joining Eastern Illinois in the Ohio Valley Conference.
“Team success is No. 1,” he said. ‘We have a bunch of winnable games this season. I think we can have a winning record.”
As for himself, Glatz does have one goal in mind.
“I’d like to be the Missouri Valley Freshman of the Year,” he said.
WIU’s other Fresh Faces include:
Offense
Ryan Merklinger, OL, Junior
Helping pave the way for Glatz will be FCS Valparaiso transfer Ryan Merklinger, who started at right guard as a redshirt freshman at Valpo last season and at tackle in high school in Georgia. He was coached at Valpo by new WIU offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Patrick Denecke.
“I may not be the strongest guy on the field,” Merklinger said. “My strength is my brain. I try to be in the right fits and work on the little things technique-wise. That way, I can move people and get them where they need to go.”
The 6-4, 315-pound Merklinger will be key to Western reviving its running game, which averaged 88.5 yards a game last season. That total ranked 115th nationally among 123 FCS teams. Valpo, by contrast, ranked 88th with 125.7 yards a game.
Defense
KaRon “KJ” Coleman, S, Grad Student
Coleman’s four-year career at FBS Arkansas State began with his recruitment as a quarterback before shifting to defense, where he played cornerback and safety.
WIU plans to use him at safety, a place where he played in five games last season, including one start.
“He is a high-level football IQ guy,” Western defensive coordinator Todd Drury said. “He practices like a pro and is a great leader.”
Willie Jones, CB, Sophomore
A transfer from FBS Bowling Green, Jones is expected to team with WIU senior J.J. Ross at cornerback.
Jones played prep football at Phillips High School in Chicago, and at 6-2, provides length at the position, according to Drury, and excels in man-to-man coverage.
“We are excited about his cover ability playing opposite J.J.,” Drury said. “He has had a really good fall camp and we have high expectations for him.”
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
Find us on social media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Prairie State Pigskin 
Leave a comment