Blake Holley remained committed to his long-held belief until it was time to commit.
The Barrington senior linebacker had been adamant that he didn’t want to play college football for one of the Division I service academies — Navy, Army or Air Force.
"I always grew up Onbahis saying I would never serve in the military. It just wasn’t for me," Holley said. "I didn’t want to risk my life."
His teammate, senior defensive end Jackson Perkins, had a similar attitude, and that view became even more solidified upon an in-school visit by a Navy assistant coach Chris Culton last spring. Perkins, a Barrington resident, had his sights set on playing in the SEC, arguably the best football conference in the country.
"When Coach Culton gave us the whole spiel and the benefits about going to Navy, I’m like, ‘All right, I’m not going to Navy, whatever,’" Perkins said.
Time and research soon changed Holley and Perkins’ perceptions of playing for a service academy. Holley said he became more intrigued after receiving his offer from Navy and by following the career of Keenan Reynolds, a former Navy quarterback who now plays wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens.
After taking an unofficial visit of the Annapolis, Md., campus in July, Holley and Perkins committed to Navy later that same day.
"Navy kept sending me stuff, called and offered me and I became really intrigued about it," Perkins said. "Once you scratch more into the surface, it shows you how much of a great opportunity it is. Once I visited (Navy), it was no-brainer."
Throughout the Chicago area, football players from the Class of 2017 have been saying yes in higher-than-usual numbers to playing college football for one of the three Division I service academies.
In all, six players from the Chicago area have committed to Army, four to Navy and two to Air Force, according to the EdgyTim.com recruiting website. Among the Army recruits are Maine South kicker Sean McNulty and Libertyville defensive tackle Ryan O’Malley.
The Midshipmen, like Army and Air Force, don’t limit themselves geographically in recruiting. Navy’s 2016 roster included players from 29 states, but not a single player from Illinois.
Army had five players from Illinois on its 2016 roster. Air Force had three Illinois players on its roster.
"For me, the No. 1 reason for going to Army was the coaching staff, atmosphere at the football games and I loved the campus," said New Trier senior quarterback Clay Czyzynski, a Winnetka resident. "The football is very good, and you get to play some of the best competition."
"Edgy" Tim O’Halloran, in his 22nd year running the eponymous website, which is part of the Rivals network, said the many Class of 2017 recruits from the Chicago area fit the demanding requirements to play for a military academy this year.
"They are looking for academic kids, kids with good character and who can play football," O’Halloran said. "They got that this year. It’s definitely been an up year in that regard."
The appeal of playing for one of the service academies is high for potential recruits, partly because all three programs are coming off strong seasons.
Air Force (10-3) defeated Colorado State and Boise State during the regular season before beating South Alabama in the Arizona Bowl. Navy (9-5) knocked off Houston, Memphis, Notre Dame and Tulsa during the regular season before losing to Louisiana Tech in the Armed Forces Bowl. Army, which ended a 14-year series losing streak against Navy this season and played in its first bowl game since 2010, beat Temple and Wake Forest during the regular season and North Texas in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Army finished 8-5.
The schools also offer a top-tier education and a career after college.
St. Viator senior linebacker Austin Ruetsche committed to Air Force in July. He fell in love with the campus, scenic location just north of Colorado Springs, Colo., and the idea of setting in motion a plan for his after-school life. Due to strict academic entry guidelines, Ruetsche plans to attend and play football for the Air Force Academy Prep School for a year. After the 2017-18 academic year, he plans to enroll in the Air Force Academy. His commitment, though, will be for 10 years. After attending school for five years, Ruetsche is obligated to serve for five more years.
"Obviously, it’s going to be an experience," he said. "I’m basically signing away 10 years of my life. I don’t mind because it really sets a plan for me ahead and nice knowing what I’m getting myself into even though I know it’s going to be tough."
Not an ordinary football commitment
Aside from recruits agreeing to active military service after college and the potential to serve in a war-time situation, the service academies have strict guidelines and procedures for admission. Many local recruits talked extensively of the grueling paperwork that is required — including a congressional nomination and written recommendations from multiple teachers — and maintaining a conditioning regimen in order to survive basic training and boot camps upon arrival.
Also, a strenuous six-part fitness test must be completed in high school. The assessment includes a basketball throw, pull-ups/flexed arm hang, a shuttle run, modified situps (crunches), pushups and a one-mile run.
Ruetsche, who is 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, admitted he’s not much of a long-distance runner, but said he was told he should be able to run six miles before he arrives for basic training.
"You have to train for the physical part," Czyzynski said. "You also have to get your grades in shape and ACT scores up and get your paperwork ready for the application process because it’s a long one."
Numerous player indicated the potential drawbacks — 24/7 military lifestyle with a structured schedule, early morning wake-up calls, basic training and mandatory summer service — were far outweighed by the positives.
"I’m blessed to have the opportunity to serve my country and play alongside some of the best men in the country," Perkins said. "It’s going to be a fun ride."
Holley reflected on how much his views on the service academies have changed.
"Once I learned more about Navy and what it had to offer and benefits, it was a simple choice for me," Holley said. "It’s a special place that’s not for everyone. The military academies are a big brotherhood, the camaraderie is really special and serving in the military is something I’m looking forward to."
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
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