OL Johnny Caspers - Glenbard West

Although Wheaton (Ill.) Warrenville-South has been enjoying the most success on the gridiron in Illinois, there’s another school that’s banging on the door and ready to break through. Glenbard West and Head Coach Chad Hetlet have it “Going On” as they say. The Hilltoppers are one of the first stops for college recruiters. Glenbard West produced Notre Dame offensive guard Chris Watt a few years ago. This year it was all about Iowa verbal commitment Jordan Walsh. The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder had a great senior season, leading his team to a state quarter final appearance and was also named all-state.

2011 could be a great year for Glenbard West as well. Not only does Coach Hetlet have some talented skill returning but he’s got two major FBS level prospects returning on the offensive and defensive line. Defensive tackle Tommy Schutt (6-3, 301) already has a boat load of offers and then there’s offensive lineman Johnny Caspers. College recruiters that have come in to check out Schutt have come away very impressed with Caspers, a versatile lineman that could play guard or center at the next level. 

Glenbard West is also fortunate to have a coach, John Sigmund, who played tight end for Barry Alvarez at Wisconsin. Coach Sigmund knows what it takes to play at the next level and he feels Caspers has all the tools to be successful.

“Johnny (Caspers) is very similar to Chris (Watt) in his run blocking ability,” Coach Sigmund said. “Johnny’s initial burst and strike are very good. He’s a special guy but a forgotten guy this year because Jordan and Tommy have somewhat stolen the spotlight. Again, Johnny gets off the ball extremely well. He’s as advanced in that part of his game as a junior as Chris Watt or Jordan Walsh. There’s not a doubt that Johnny will be highly recruited. He doesn’t have Jordan’s foot-speed but he’s got a whole lot of nasty in him.

“What coaches are going to like about Johnny Caspers is his attention to detail. He’s a quick learner and he always wants to get better. Johnny’s strike is unbelievable and his finish is as good as Chris or Jordan’s was. Johnny is athletic. He can pull, trap, he gets out to the 2^nd and 3^rd levels. He’s a lacrosse player, so he has very good stamina.

“I guess what separates Johnny Caspers from Chris Watt and Jordan Caspers is just being able to learn the game a little more. Johnny needs to learn how to get his shoulders over his knees a bit more and where Jordan and Chris ran through the 2^nd level, Johnny gets there but doesn’t explode through it but that’s going to come. He’s a big-time kid that is driven and he’s going to be a good lineman at the next level. He’d be a great Big Ten guard. Johnny’s that nasty guy on the field but he’s always watching film and he’s very popular with is classmates. He’s like a magnet. He could run for class president today and win.”

Caspers was brought up to the varsity as a sophomore and will be a three-year starter next season. He has been to Iowa and Northwestern on unofficial visits and says he’s looking at several programs right now. “I’m really open to any school that wants to recruit me,” said the 6-foot-3, 265-pounder. “If I had to name some early favorites of mine, I’d have to say that Iowa, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Stanford, Cal, Arizona and Texas would all be on that list.”

Caspers carries a 5.1 GPA in the classroom. He’d like to major in either history or mechanical engineering in college.

Coach Hetlet says 6'4, 195-pound wide receiver Mark Hiben (2011) is being overlooked.  "Had 10 plays this year over 40 yards," Coach Hetlet said. "He set a state record with 319 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns in a single game this year which just happened to be in the play-offs against a strong opponent (Lincoln-Way East). When he gets it going, nobody is going to catch him."

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN WATCHING GAME FILM OF GLENBARD WEST, HIGHLIGHTS OF TOMMY SCHUTT AND JOHNNY CASPERS AS WELL AS VIDEO FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY. CONTACT GEORGE.WIDMAN@NATIONALPREPNETWORK.COM