Not that we should be focused down there, but is anybody looking around down there at all? Just read the SI article about Texas SH QBs. Something like 1/5 of all FBS schools have a QB starter from Texas. Think we ought to be able to snag a decent one down there. Instead of going to be the 3rd stringer behind McCoy or whomever, come compete for a starting job at NIU. I like our QBs, but I don’t see any of them being a transcendent QB like other MAC schools have or have found. All the best MAC teams of recent history have great QB play. LeFevour (why oh why did we miss on him) at CM, Davis at BS, and going back you had Roethlisberger at Miami.

no doubt Texas has quite a few football studs, but remember the Big 12, especially Oklahoma goes shopping for top recruits out of the Lone Star state…..not to mention, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. NOTE: down here in Big D, we have high school playoff games that draw up to 20,000 fans
I noticed where NIU has recruited some players out of San Antonio (remember Sam Hurd)
The MAC is a mid major conference, so I believe NIU’s best chances are searching for Wisc., Michigan, Indiana and Ohio athletes…….but, it’s a good question = how did they miss on Super Dan at CMU? But, also keep in mind their recruiting budget……..making it to bigger bowl games and winning the MAC championship will bring stronger recruits

Any comment on this guy, just saw this story in the Daily Herald?

Geneva’s Boenzi chooses Northern Illinois
By Dave Oberhelman | Daily Herald StaffContact writer
Published: 12/7/2009 10:58 AM
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Buzz up!
In the end, Frank Boenzi honored Northern Illinois University’s loyalty.

A horde of major college programs had been interested in Geneva’s 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive tackle. Boenzi’s academic standing deterred most all of them, but not Huskies coach Jerry Kill and Boenzi’s recruiter, former record-setting Kaneland receiver P.J. Fleck.

A three-year starter for Geneva, on Friday, Dec. 4, Boenzi committed to play football at NIU. On Dec. 3, Kill and Fleck extended a scholarship offer during an in-home visit and dinner with the Geneva student and his parents, Patrice and Frank.

“No one decided to take a chance on me except NIU,” said the younger Boenzi, who this season was credited with 20 solo tackles, 53 assists, 5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries for the 9-2 Vikings. He also saw spot duty in short-yardage situations at tight end and fullback.

“I could have gone the juco (junior college) route and maybe played somewhere else, but they (NIU) have a great football program, a great coaching staff and great academic help to go along with it,” Boenzi said. “I’m not going to go somewhere to set myself up to fail.”

Boenzi admitted to “terrible” grades as a freshman and sophomore, when he got rolling with the Geneva varsity football team and also qualified downstate in wrestling as a sophomore heavyweight. He said he’s “stepped up” academically his junior and senior years, though he said NIU granted his only offer. Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said Michigan State came on strong late.

Boenzi, who will not wrestle this winter but will try to become a three-time all-state shot putter in 2010 track and field, will rejoin former Geneva teammate Pat Schiller, a redshirt sophomore starting at linebacker for NIU. Boenzi has not yet taken his official visit.

“I know it’s kind of funny committing before visiting, but that’s the kind of confidence I have,” he said.

“Big Frank” felt affirmed by Kill’s own confidence – “to have the head coach come to your house and tell you he believes in you,” said.

“The ultimate goal is the NFL,” Boenzi said. “I’ll take my shot, and if it doesn’t happen at least I know I’ll get through college and land a good job.”