Naperville North lineman Goebel has exciting week
BY BLAKE BAUMGARTNER For Sun-Times Media February 7, 2013 5:34PM
Naperville North's offensive lineman Colin Goebel (66) signed his national letter this week to play football for Iowa. | Patrick Gleason ~ For Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 7, 2013 6:32PM
When he was named the DuPage Valley Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year as a junior in 2011, Naperville North offensive lineman Colin Goebel starting getting some attention on the recruiting front.
Accomplishing a four-year goal in April when he committed to play at Iowa, Goebel earned both all-state and all-DVC honors for a second straight year in 2012. Goebel helped the Huskies find success in the rushing game with several running backs combining for 2,919 yards.
Following the season, he became the second Naperville North player in three years, along with former linebacker Nick Lifka, to be named to USA Football’s U.S. Under-19 National Team. The fourth annual International Bowl was held Tuesday in Austin, Texas.
Two years ago, Lifka, who is now at Boston College, broke his hand in practice during the week of the game and wasn’t able to play.
“The whole week was fun. It was really good to represent your school down at the All-American Game,” Goebel said on Thursday morning.
As one of two players from Illinois to play in the International Bowl game Tuesday, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Goebel signed his National Letter of Intent while in Texas and joins an Iowa recruiting class that includes the other Illinois representative at the bowl — Derrick Willies, a wide receiver from Rock Island.
“(Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz) brought in a lot of good guys,” Goebel said.
He elaborated on his decision to commit to Iowa early by saying that Ferentz’s coaching staff was a big draw, along with the fact the “whole team is centered around the offensive line.”
He mentioned the ability to work Chris Doyle, who he believes is one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the country. He said Doyle does a tremendous job in getting Iowa recruits prepared to play within the rigors of the Big Ten, along with the rest of the staff.
Shortly after making the news official on Wednesday morning that he had faxed his letter of intent to Iowa, Goebel tweeted the following: “Been a long four years playing football at NNHS, but now I’m ready to take my work to Iowa. Hawkeyes!!! Let’s Go!!!”
While admitting he’s “just glad I got that goal” of playing in the Big Ten, Goebel was quick to bring up his feelings for Huskies’ coach Sean Drendel and his staff.
“Can’t thank my coaches enough for what they’ve done for me,” Goebel said.
