OL Hedstrom names his top schools list

Mount Prospect, Ill. three star ranked offensive lineman recruit Eric Hedstrom (6-foot-6, 265 pounds) is excited to get his season underway. Hedstrom and Prospect High School defeated Downers Grove North 14-7 on Friday night. Prospect is current ranked as the top team in Class 7A entering the second week of the season.

“It was good to get our first win on Friday night," Eric Hedstrom said. "We made some mistakes no doubt, but we were also able to take advantage of a few things against North for the win. They have a really good team and it was a really good game. It was great to get the season going, and I was getting tired of hitting the same kids on my own team. It was fun to hit some kids in a different uniform."

Hedstrom has also been giving his recruiting more thought, and Hedstrom has narrowed down his list of favorites.

"I've been giving my recruiting more and more thought, and I do have some early favorites. My top schools list would include Nebraska, Illinois, Purdue and Northwestern. I also am looking at Northern Illinois, because they are in-state as well as being very close to home. Those are my early favorites at this point.

Hedstrom talked about what appeals to him about each school on his early favorites list.

"Nebraska really is all about football, and that's what really stands out to me about the Cornhuskers. They have great fan support, and I also really am impressed with the coaching staff as well."

"Illinois is just a great school, especially academically, and that's an important factor for me in my recruiting. My Dad just loves the strength and conditioning coach (Jim Zielinski), and I also really get along well with the coaches at Illinois."

"Purdue to me is just a different feeling. I like the campus as well as the overall feel at Purdue. The campus isn't overwhelming and it feels very intimate. Joe Tiller has done a great job with the football program, and going to 7 bowl games in 7 years is very impressive."

"Northwestern is obviously very close to home for me. It seems like I've been around the program as well as Northwestern for a long time. I've gone to games at Northwestern, so I'm really familiar with the coaches and the football program as well. I like the beach on campus, plus I also impressed with the location being so close to Chicago. Northwestern also offers an outstanding education."

Hedstrom is also setting up a visit to see the Purdue home opener this coming Sunday.

"I'm planning on seeing the Purdue home opener against Syracuse on Sunday. The Sunday game works well for me because we play on Friday nights, and usually we have Saturday practices. I want to see a few games this fall, but it's going to be hard with my schedule to get to see too many college games this fall."