2018 WR Nick Calcagno and his Naperville North Huskies are on a mission to win a state title. Nick also spoke how his recruiting is going, his underrated teammates and training against some of the best DBs in the state.

You can find Nick on Twitter @NickCalcagno.

Nick Calcagno

Wide Receiver
Naperville North
Naperville, IL

Ht: 6’3″
Wt: 195 lbs
Class: 2018

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?

NC: One of the most important things I did this offseason was getting work in with my trainers Kevin Kasper and JT Taylor at Xtreme Speed to work on getting faster and stronger for the season. Also running routes with my teammates to work on timing with our QB Luke Cegles. Lifting and conditioning as a team during the offseason with Coach Kirkland is also a big part of our teams success, not only because it develops us physically, but also because the bonding factor with all of the guys bringing everybody closer on the team. Also attending a fair amount of college camps and getting reps against some of the top DB’s in the state such as Tyrik Henderson and a few other guys got me a lot better and got me ready to compete in the DVC.

LPI: You currently don’t have any offers, but are trying to prove to schools you have what it takes to play at the next level. What are your greatest strengths or why should a school offer you?

NC: I feel like the best part of my game is running crisp routes and knowing the coverages and my assignments as a receiver. I try to know every receiver spot in the spread so I can move around and play different spots and also be able to help out my teammates with the offense. Also I believe that I can stay cool under pressure and not crack when our team needs to make a big play.

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

NC: I’ve been in brief contact with the coaches from NIU, SIU, and CMU, exchanging messages every so often but hopefully recruiting will start to pick up a little more after the high school and college seasons are over.

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

NC: I was able to get out to Iowa to see my brother who plays for Miami of Ohio play at Kinnick which was pretty cool. I also got out to the NIU game when they played WIU. I’m going to try to get out to see a game at CMU and SIU before the seasons over as well.

LPI: Your only loss this year came against a very tough Neuqua Valley team. The Huskies are now 7-1 and look to have a high playoff seed. What are your team goals for the rest of the season and what are you guys doing as a team to achieve them?

NC: Now that we won a close game against a great Waubonsie Valley team, we’re just looking to get this last win in the regular season against Wheaton Warrenville South and end at 8-1 with a chance to get a home game for the first round of the playoffs. Our team goal since the start of the season has of course been state, but as of now we’re just taking it one game at a time and trying to keep everybody healthy and make a run in the playoffs.

LPI: Yourself, Mitch Lewis, Evan Hecimovich and Grant Ericksen are all good players that have been receiving looks from college coaches. 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?

NC: Junior wide receiver who could play is Ryan Laurenzo. Our entire D-line that consists of Cole Jacobs, Isaac Velasco, Alex Iaccino, and Malik Wells all have the talent to play at the next level. Our running back duo of Cross Robinson and Eric Wright could definitely play along with Cam Hardy, Kiser Floyd, Julian Collins, and our kicker Matt Malan.