Ortmann takes in Midwest camp stops

Klein, Texas, offensive tackle Mark Ortmann stormed the Midwest in June, visiting Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Notre Dame.

“I ran a 4.9 in the 40-yard dash at Michigan and had a great camp,” he said. “And I was happy with benching 225 pounds 21 times at Northwestern. We were up in the Chicagoland area for over a week visiting family, also. I got to meet with all the coaches from the different schools and enjoyed it.

“I’m pretty wide open right now. I don’t have to go back home to the Midwest and I don’t really have to play in Texas. I just want to see how this all plays out over the next several months and see what my options are."

Ortmann (6-foot-6, 270 pounds) has offers from Kansas, Northwestern and Duke and is receiving interest from several other major programs. He will attend Texas A&M and LSU for one-day camps in July. He is participating in Klein’s strength and conditioning camp and played for his school’s seven-on-seven squad.

“I think about half of the schools looking at Mark want him at tight end and the other half like him on the offensive line,” Klein coach Stan Labay said. “I think he’s OK with either. He has a great work ethic and a big frame and is a great prospect for someone.”

Ortmann opens holes for his teammate, running back Jared Hawkins, who is receiving interest from Vanderbilt and has been offered by The Citadel.

Klein has a junior offensive lineman prospect who is also serving pancakes to the Bearkats’ opponents. Chris Stewart (6-5, 310-pounds) will be Labay’s prize recruit next season.

“Chris is a terrific student and is very athletic for his size,” Labay said. “Everyone that comes through here is very impressed with him. He still plays basketball, which makes him very flexible and agile at that size. His brother is 6-10, 390-pounds and starts at center for Texas Southern University’s basketball team, so Chris still has room to grow.”