Illinois kicker draws first offer

Chicago (Ill.) St. Rita junior kicker/punter prospect Ryan Donahue (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) has without question one of the strongest legs in the Midwest, and Donahue has also landed an early scholarship offer from the University of Akron.

"The University of Akron has offered me a scholarship," Donahue said. "They offered me about a week ago. I'm excited to get an offer from Akron, because I know that kickers generally don't get too many early offers."

"The coaches from Akron called my head coach (Todd Kuska) at school and told him that they were going to offer me. I called the coaches back from Akron and they confirmed that they were offering me a scholarship. I know that Akron plays in the MAC, and that I'm definitely going to check them out and do some research on them soon."

Donahue, who head coach Todd Kuska calls "an athlete who happens to kick and punt really, really well" has been getting recruiting interest from a handful of schools this spring.

"Besides Akron, I've been getting hand-written mail recently from Iowa, Northwestern, Georgia Tech and a few smaller schools. I've been to junior day events at both Iowa and Northwestern a few months back. I've been invited to a bunch of spring games and practices, but I play volleyball in the spring, so I haven't been able to get out to many schools."

Donahue, who possesses 60 yard plus range on field goals and who also made game attempts of 54 and 56 yards in 2004, is planning to hit the road this summer.

"I'm not sure just yet where I'm camping this summer, but I'm planning to hit several camps and combines all summer long."