Coach Knows Best

Brian Lindsay, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound, free safety, from Wilmette (Ill.) Loyola Academy, has emerged as the top sleeper prospect in the Land of Lincoln. Lindsay reminds me of former (Chicago) St. Laurence and Notre Dame Star Stan Smagala.

Lindsay’s coach, John Holicek, is a former college All-American and NFL linebacker and he says the college coaches are missing the boat on his top defender.

“Brian Lindsay is a better prospect than Joe Suhey was last year.” Coach Holicek told Scout.com. “Suhey is now at Penn State. Brian has all the attributes and skills to play in the Big Ten. Brian is playing free safety right now but he could probably move forward and be an outside linebacker in college.

“Brian Lindsay is the toughest, meanest kid I’ve been involved with on the football field. He’s the best athlete on our team.

“Right now Brian (Lindsay) is 204 pounds and once he gets to a college weight-room and training table, he’ll easily be 220-225 pounds. He’s such a savvy football player.

"Brian has great speed and he’s so athletic. Looking at our first few games this year, Lindsay has made some incredible plays and we’ll get those plays out to the college coaches.”

Brian Lindsay doesn’t have a scholarship offer but as recruiting pushes towards February, there will be schools who request senior film and the offers could come soon after that. I saw Brian play this past weekend and he’s as good as advertised.

In a loss to Providence Catholic, Lindsay flattened a Celtic defensive back after an incomplete pass. He’s got that kind of “John Lynch” mentality.

"On another play, Lindsay separated the ball from a Providence ball-carrier on a vicious hit. Lindsay has the “It” factor needed to play at the next level.

On the high school level, Lindsay reminds me of former Cincinnati and current Ohio State linebacker Tyler Moeller. Brian also has a lot of former Traverse City, Michigan and current Michigan State linebacker Eric Gordon in him.

Lindsay is the same size as Moeller and Gordon and has the same athletic ability, toughness and moxy.

“Ball State has been calling me and they are talking about a scholarship offer,” Brian Lindsay said. “I’m getting a lot of calls and mail but everyone is asking about senior film. Hopefully once we get the senior film out, things will start to happen.

“I’m completely open to anyone right now. I’d like to hear more from Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Purdue, Minnesota, Georgia Tech, Michigan State or Boston College.

"I feel that I have the strength and toughness to play in the Big Ten but I also have the speed to play in the ACC.”

We’ll be loading clips from Brian Lindsay’s senior season shortly.