Football: Crete-Monee’s Laquon Treadwell in no hurry to pick college

Updated: June 12, 2012 6:31PM

Though the summer is just beginning, many of the state’s top football prospects in the Class of 2013 already have finalized their college plans.

But one of the top prizes in what shapes up as one of Illinois’ top classes in years is in no hurry to make up his mind.

“I’m hearing from a lot of coaches, talking to a lot of people,” Crete-Monee receiver Laquon Treadwell said at a photo and video shoot at U.S. Cellular Field last week. “I’m just taking my time with everything.”

Treadwell’s Rivals.com recruiting page lists scholarship offers from no fewer than 20 big-time programs. His short list right now: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Michigan State, Michigan, Illinois, Notre Dame, USC and Ohio State.

Don’t expect Treadwell’s uncommitted status to change anytime soon.

“I haven’t really set up any visits,” he said. “But I’m looking to take some ... end of June, early July.”

The 6-3, 190-pounder is ranked No. 2 in Illinois and No. 30 nationally in his class by CBS College Sports recruiting analyst Tom Lemming. Rivals rates him the fifth best receiver in the country and No. 39 overall.

Rankings like those can lead to the kind of attention from media, recruiting services and fans that can drive a teenager crazy. Or at least make him want to lower his profile.

But Treadwell, an active Twitter user with more than 3,600 followers, doesn’t shy away from the hoopla surrounding big-time recruiting.

“It’s been crazy, but I’m enjoying it at the same time,” he said. “I’m having fun with it but at the same time making sure I’m taking it as serious as possible.”

Along those lines, he’s got a specific checklist of what he’s looking at from schools courting him: a compatible offensive philosophy, quarterbacks and other recruits already on board and the chance to play right away.

Is distance an issue? “It’s a factor for my mom,” Treadwell said with a smile. “But I think she’ll be fine with it (wherever he goes).”

Whatever college lands Treadwell could be getting a player even better than the one who caught 61 passes for 1,230 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Warriors last fall.

“My strength is built up,” he said. “And my route running is much better. I’ve been to a couple of camps where they’ve shown me how to do different techniques for getting off the line.”

Crete offensive coordinator John Konecki confirms that Treadwell’s stronger and more technically sound. And the coach adds: “He’s a tremendously talented athlete. What people don’t know about him is how hard he works.”

There’s no doubt Treadwell will have to work plenty hard to get open this fall against defenses geared toward stopping him. But the Warriors have some other weapons. Among them: fellow receiver Lance Lenoir, who just picked up a scholarship offer from St. Joseph’s (Ind.), and quarterback Marcus Terrell, who has grown to 6-2 and scored a 30 on his ACT.

“I think my teammates are going to help me out a lot,” Treadwell said. “They’re going to have some big roles.”

And Treadwell will be lining up all over — inside, outside, going in motion out of the backfield. So he should get plenty of touches, and plenty more chances to impress all of those college football powerhouses recruiting him.

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