Football: Minooka’s Blake King headed to Northwestern

Updated: May 1, 2012 7:24PM

At 6-5 and 270 pounds, Blake King clearly has the size to play major-college football.

According to Bert Kooi, his coach at Minooka last season, King also has the work ethic. That combination has landed him a scholarship offer from Northwestern, which the junior has accepted.

“I was excited for Blake,” said Kooi, who stepped down after the 2011 season. “He’s put in a heck of a lot of work both in the classroom and the weight room.

“Going into the year, he worked his tail off to earn a starting spot at the (offensive) tackle position. As soon as the season ended, he was back in the weight room. ... He was just a man that’s possessed.”

That King didn’t simply rely on his size is something Kooi appreciated. “A lot of times those guys who are blessed with ability and talent don’t make the most of it. He’s a great character kid, too.”

King also had offers from Toledo and Western Michigan, according to Rivals.com, and drew interest from a variety of other major colleges.

“He made himself into a Big Ten football player,” Kooi said.

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