Kickels Makes His Pick

Lemont, Ill., native Gordon Kickels picked up three offers this summer and hoped that camp performances and a solid senior season would help him to pick up more opportunities when it came to playing at the next level. As it turns out that was not the case, so the linebacker prospect simply chose the best fit out of the three offers he did have.

Gordon Kickels, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound weak side linebacker from Lemont Township High School recently made a verbal commitment to Eastern Illinois after considering scholarship offers from Army and Air Force as well. Kickels spoke to us a bit about his decision recently.

“We had a great season this year and ended up in the state championship game, but came up a little short, losing to Joliet Catholic,” Kickels said. “I was happy to make second-team All-State and All-Area in two newspapers and led the team in tackles with 140 and also had eight sacks.”

“As far as recruiting goes I committed to Eastern Illinois,” Kickels added. “As the season went on I started losing contact with most of the school recruiting me. I stayed in touch mostly with Illinois and Central Michigan and I think Illinois would have offered me if they hadn’t had as much success as they did this season. As for the service academies, I just didn’t feel that was for me, so I picked the school which fit me best in Eastern. Not only is it pretty close to my home, but they have a very good program with a lot to offer. I’m very happy with my decision.”

Kickels joined teammates Brett Nagel and Graham Pocic as Lemont Township players who are already set to play at the next level with his commitment.