Garrett Goebel, the 6-foot-5, 272-pound defensive tackle from Montini Catholic High School in Lombard (Ill.), is ranked No. 7 in the Midwest by Scout.com. The four-star prospect has around 25 scholarship offers, but denies a favorite.
Although he denies a leader, Goebel likes Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Arizona State, Illinois and Iowa. All have offered as well as Nebraska, Virginia, Iowa State, Tennessee, Florida State, North Carolina State and Wisconsin.
He still wants to make an early decision. "I'd like to commit before my season starts. I'm not gonna be able to take too many official visits anyway because I also wrestle and I don't want recruiting to get in the way. I want to be 100 percent focused on my senior season. The main factors that will go into my decision are the people, the facilities, the academics and the coaches. Distance doesn't matter to me. With gas prices as high as they are it would probably cost the same amount to drive to Ohio State, as it would be to fly to Arizona State."
Goebel already has an unofficial visit scheduled with Notre Dame on May 30. "I love all the tradition they have," he said. "Everything about them…their stadium, the Golden Dome, the coaches…it's just all great. I also know a few guys who are already committed to them and they are really excited. They can't wait to go there and it would be nice to already know some people."
He says that the Irish are recruiting him the hardest. "They text me a lot," Goebel said. "I call them pretty regularly."
Goebel is also very interested in one of Notre Dame's main rivals, Michigan. "They have a great program," Goebel said. "They go to big bowl games every year and are always a top team. I really want to check them out and see what it's like in the Big House."
One school that he has already visited and knows pretty well is Iowa. "They are a great football program," he said. "They have a pretty good history and I really like the coaches. I get along with all of them really well and they just seem to truly care about their players."
Another coaching staff that Goebel has developed a good relationship with is Ohio State's. "I like coach Jim Tressel," he said. "He really wants to know his players and knows there's more to life than football. He's just an amazing guy.
"They also have outstanding facilities and the Horseshoe is unbelievable."
Goebel reports a 2.7 core GPA and a 22 ACT. He's fully qualified and does not plan on taking the SAT or retaking the ACT.