Crete-Monees hidden gem

Big names like Rivals100 wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and Rivals250 to Watch list linebacker Nyles Morgan have helped lead Crete-Monee (Ill.) to the state semifinals, but the Warriors may not be where they are right now without senior wide receiver Lance Lenoir.

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Lenoir does a little bit of everything for Crete-Monee, but he makes his biggest impact - and will play his college ball - at the wide receiver position. Thus far, Lenoir has caught 52 passes for 910 yards and 15 touchdowns for a 12-0 Crete-Monee team. He also has a touchdown rushing and one via punt return.

Unlike Treadwell and Morgan, however, Lenoir has yet to add his first Division I offer, but that wait may not stretch much longer.

"UofI is staying in contact as well as Minnesota, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Indiana, Boston College and schools like that. I am hearing a little bit from Ole Miss, so that's something new. Wyoming and Arkansas State too.

"I am taking it one step at a time, waiting and being patient. I know my time is going to come, so I am focused on the playoffs right now and helping my team go win this state championship. I am pretty sure after that things will fall into place."

At this stage, Lenoir said he has the closest relationships with coaches at the in-state schools - Illinois, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois and Northern Illinois. His primary contact on Illinois' coaching staff is assistant Luke Butkus.

"I have talked to Coach [Tim] Beckman a couple times too and Coach [Billy] Gonzales, the wide receivers coach," Lenoir said. "I have been there twice, but I haven't been there for a game. They want me to come down for a game, but playoffs have been messing that up."

With less than three months until National Signing Day, Lenoir understands where he sits with the schools recruiting him at this time and is content to see how things play out.

"They are waiting to see what their other recruits are going to do," Lenoir said. "They want to offer, but I guess they are going to wait and see."

In the meantime, Lenoir will look to help Crete-Monee stay undefeated and earn a berth into the class 6A state title game when they face Lemont High School on Saturday.