Spoke with Palatine’s very smart and athletic 2017 WR Jack Grochowksi on his upcoming visits out east, his personal goals this season and some of his under-recruited teammates. Kid is a great athlete and can dunk a basketball with ease.

You can find Jack on Twitter @jgrochow12.

Jack Grochowski

Wide Receiver/Tight End
Palatine
Palatine, IL

Ht: 6’4″
Wt: 210 lbs
Class: 2017

Commitment status: Undecided

LPI: What were the most important things you did this offseason and are now doing in practice so you can improve this season?

JG: During the off season, when I was not on a baseball field, I worked with a personal trainer to improve my speed, strength and agility to help prepare me for the season. I also attended a few camps where I felt I took away so much confidence. I also played on a 7on7 team with some great players. I feel 7 on 7 helps improve route running and one on one coverage since it is more man based.

LPI: You currently have offers from Dartmouth, Dayton, Cornell and Columbia. What are your greatest strengths or why should a school offer you?

JG: Yes, I have had some offers from some amazing schools and am honored to have been given these opportunities. On a football field, I feel my greatest strength is my size and strength. I catch well in traffic and do a good job at fighting for yardage after a catch. Because of my size and long reach I can beat DBs on jump balls. I have a good vertical on those jump balls which was also key when I played basketball and just fun for dunking. Although I’m a large receiver, I have good speed too. Schools should offer me because I put in the work and make a difference on the field. Physically and athletically I have the attributes they are looking for. The characteristic of academics should play a role too. I’m a very good student and know how to maintain good grades with the rigorous demands of athletics.

LPI: Offer or not, which schools have you kept in contact with the most?

JG: I talk to Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia, Dayton and Yale just about weekly. All of these coaches and recruiters have been great. I also have had some talks with the University of San Diego and Butler.

LPI: Where have you visited most recently and do you have any visits coming up?

JG: Over the summer I went to Columbia, Harvard and Yale. So far this fall, I have plans to visit Dayton and Dartmouth where I’ll be getting to see a game at each so I’m really looking forward to that.

LPI: What’re your personal goals for this season?

JG: Having come from a junior year where I was sidelined as the result of an injury I felt I had a lot to prove this season. I’ve always been the kind of person who expects perfection in my performances, but no matter how disciplined and no matter how much you practice, sometimes plays don’t go how you want. So a main goal was to not get down on myself, but instead to just learn and make the adjustment to improve for the next play. Since I’m being recruited as a TE, one other personal goal would be to be a better blocker. Lastly, I’d have to say my main personal goal is to win-take every play one play at a time and win that play.

LPI: You guys are doing well so far this year at 5-0. What have you guys been doing more now than ever so you can make a deep run in the playoffs?

JG: We are really playing as a team and playing as a family. We play for each other. We’ve been emphasizing not trying to do too much but to do your job, do your part to the best of your ability for those 6 seconds at a time. Everyone has a role and every role is as important as the rest so we are genuinely happy in sharing in one another’s glory. We are all extremely proud and excited to be part of this program together.

LPI: Palatine has two quality players in yourself and Zach Oles that have been getting some recruiting attention. Who are some of your other teammates that you believe have a chance to play at the next level, but may be getting overlooked by college coaches?

JG: Athletically we have an enormous amount of talent. I’d be writing for pages if I went on about all the players, their attributes and why I feel they could play beyond a high school level. So many Players come to mind; Josh Turner, Cortland Cornelius, Mackenzie Balanganayi, then there are some really talented juniors such as Johnny O’Shea, Jake Moertl and Carson Walker. But to pinpoint one player, I’d have to say Dylan Tapia. Dylan does his job effortlessly, and is the first to bail out a teammate with his great ability to see the field. He’s just so good at coverage. His tackling form may be one of the best technically on D. Overall, he’s just about as reliable as a player can be at safety.