Chicago Brother Rice High School’s Charlie Stec (left) was recognized as the Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year in the Catholic League. (Photo courtesy X.com, @charlie_stec)
By Barry Bottino
The Western Illinois offense turned plenty of heads this season, racking up 31 points a game and more than 5,100 total yards.
On Wednesday’s early National Signing Day, however, it was the addition of a defensive player that made noise for the Leathernecks.
Chicago Brother Rice High School defensive lineman Charlie Stec made his commitment official as part of a nine-player class.
That led Chicago-based national recruiting guru Tom Lemming to call the signing “a stunner” on social media, hailing Stec for his “relentless motor and elite athleticism.”
At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Stec compiled 13 sacks this season to earn co-Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in the Chicago Catholic League. He was rated as the No. 78 player in Illinois by 247Sports.
Defense is the area of greatest need for the Leathernecks (4-8), who allowed more than 5,900 yards and 43.4 points a game this fall.
Stec is joined in the class by Illinois prep linebackers Joe Edwards (Downers Grove South) and Cameron Nickel (Metamora), along with 6-3 defensive back Aa’Zoriyon Bonner, an Ohio native.
The WIU offense also got some reinforcements via a pair of offensive linemen – Ryan McCombs (6-5, 280) of nearby Jacksonville, Ill., and 6-7, 295-pound Tyler Sulsberger, who hails from the western Iowa town of Hornick (population: 255).
The offensive additions included 6-5 tight end Sage Yazzie (Waukee, Iowa), 6-3 quarterback Cason Carswell (Mason, Mich.) and 6-5 wide receiver Morgan Quiri (Tucson, Ariz.).
Biggest need filled on offense: Offensive line (2).
Biggest need filled on defense: Linebacker (2).
Where they come from, by level: All nine are high school players.
Where they come from, by state: Four players are from Illinois, along with two from Iowa and one each from Ohio, Michigan and Arizona.
Player closest to campus: 67 miles (McCombs, Jacksonville, Ill.)
Player farthest from campus: 1,492 miles (Quiri, Tucson, Ariz.).
Tallest player: 6-7 (Sulsberger).
Shortest player: 6-2 (Nickel and Edwards).
Heaviest player: 295 (Sulsberger).
Lightest player: 175 (Quiri).
WIU Early Signing Day List
(Name, Position(s), Height, Weight, School, Hometown)
Aa’Zoriyon Bonner, DB, 6-3, 180, Sandusky High School, Sandusky, Ohio
Cason Carswell, QB, 6-3, 185, Mason High School, Mason, Mich.
Joe Edwards, LB, 6-2, 215, Downers Grove North High School, Downers Grove, Ill.
Ryan McCombs, OL, 6-5, 280, Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville, Ill.
Cameron Nickel, LB, 6-2, 218, Metamora High School, Metamora, Ill.
Morgan Quiri, WR, 6-5, 175, Salpointe Catholic High School, Tucson, Ariz.
Charlie Stec, DL, 6-4, 225, Brother Rice High School, Orland Park, Ill.
Tyler Sulsberger, OL, 6-7, 295, Westwood High School, Hornick, Iowa
Sage Yazzie, TE, 6-5, 215, Waukee High School, Waukee, Iowa
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.
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