Redshirt sophomore Daniel Sobkowicz has proven to be a big-play receiver for the Illinois State Redbirds. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Dan Verdun
During Illinois State’s fall camp, Redbirds offensive coordinator Tony Petersen stated that Daniel Sobkowicz “is going to be a better player at receiver than we saw a year ago.”
Two months later, Petersen’s words are proving prophetic.
Sobkowicz, a former two-sport athlete at Rolling Meadows High School, has evolved into the most dependable receiver for the Redbirds.
“We knew coming in that he was a very skilled athlete,” ISU head coach Brock Spack said.
Sobkowicz’s high school basketball team was among the state’s best and included Max Christie, who later played at Michigan State and is now with the Los Angeles Lakers.
As a two-year starter in prep football, Sobkowicz racked up 615 yards receiving with seven touchdowns in the shortened COVID spring season.
As a team captain, he tallied more than 800 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns his junior year.
After redshirting as an ISU freshman in 2021, Sobkowicz burst onto the scene last fall. He led team in both receiving yards and touchdowns, establishing the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder as the Redbirds’ go-to wideout.
The Arlington Heights native came up with a crucial catch-and-run to dig ISU out of a deep hole with a clutch third-down play at rival Western Illinois.
Two weeks later, Sobkowicz reeled in a 62-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Zack Annexstad to ignite the Redbirds to a one-sided win against Lindenwood.
“I definitely knew something like that was going to happen because we put in so much work,” Sobkowicz told Prairie State Pigskin. “Zack and I went to indoor facilities in the offseason. That included all of our skill group of receivers, tight ends, running backs.
“In the summer, we worked 7-on-7. What you put into it, you get out.”
In this week’s Moving the Chains Q&A, Sobkowicz discusses his development into a top receiver, his athletic family and the thrill and disappointment of his high school basketball career.
What have you improved on the most since you arrived at Illinois State?
My speed. Freshman year I feel like I was pretty slow. I worked on speed drills with our strength and conditioning coach (Matt Nicholson). In the winter and summer, that’s what we worked on.
I also trained back home with TNT (Tom Nelson Training in Mount Prospect operated by the former ISU defensive back). I focused on my speed and route running.
You changed your uniform number from 12 to 2 this season. Is there a particular reason why?
Not really. I’ve always liked a single-digit number.
Is that a number you wore in high school?
No, I had a different number then. I was just looking to switch it up. Two and eight have always been my top numbers. (No. 2) was a number that became available (at ISU this season).
You come from a very athletic family. Who’s the best athlete of the bunch?
I’d for sure say me. If you asked anyone, they’d probably say me. But there may have been some who had more potential than me, maybe my twin. My older brothers David and Kevin were good athletes. David played defensive end. Kevin played linebacker if I remember right. David ended up going to Winona State to play football.
You attended Rolling Meadows High School. How familiar are you with fellow alum Jimmy Garoppolo?
I think my (older) brothers were friends and teammates with him. They always said he was a cool guy. Jimmy played linebacker up until junior year. It’s cool that he went to our high school. He played at Eastern Illinois and now, of course, is in the NFL.
You were an all-conference high school basketball player. Did you favor one sport over another back then?
I’m going to say I liked football more, but (laughs) I might not always be telling the truth (laughs). As of right now, it’s football because I’ve grown into it. I’m dedicated to this.
What’s the highlight of your hoops career?
Probably when we went 15-0 our senior year. We ended up not even going to the playoffs because of COVID, which really was disappointing. I think we probably could have won state that year, which is something I regret.
Here’s a scenario: the Illinois State basketball coaching staff comes to the football team in need of some depth off the bench because of injuries. Who do they pick?
Probably (6-foot-3 redshirt freshman receiver) David Connors. He always talks about basketball. He loves it. You can just tell, he’s got the build for it. We would sometimes play basketball in the summer, and he was always looking like a hooper out there.
Which ISU uniform combination do you like the best?
For me, the red helmets with the white-on-white (jersey-pants) combination like we did against North Dakota State last year.
What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
It’s always when we go to Florida. I love fishing; it’s one of my favorite hobbies other than football. We’ve been to Cape Coral and Key West. Those are always fun places to go fishing.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
Find us on social media!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PSPigskin
Facebook: Prairie State Pigskin
Prairie State Pigskin 
Leave a comment