A lot of college coaches were impressed with Naperville Central senior offensive tackle Grant Ellinger’s size and skill.
But what Ellinger did before committing to Virginia on June 5 left many of them stunned. Before announcing his decision, Ellinger called the coaches from every other program that had extended an offer to him — all 28 of them.
“I felt it was the right thing to do,” Ellinger said. “The coaches took their time scouting me and offered me a position on their team.”
Such courtesy is not common. Reports of his actions soon got back to Naperville Central coach Mike Ulreich.
“The coaching staff at Indiana State actually called me that day,” Ulreich said. “They were like, ‘We can’t remember the last time a kid has called us to let us know he’s committed to somewhere else, let alone a kid that’s going to a school like Virginia.’
“That’s not how everybody does it. Like with most things with kids in this generation, it’s very easy to click a button. That he took the time to call people and tell them in person spoke a lot about the type of kid he is.”
Ulreich already knew about Ellinger’s character. Others are finding out too.
“He’s an incredibly mature kid,” Ulreich said. “A lot of the coaches that were in our building last year to meet him were just impressed by the type of kid he is. He does things the right way.”
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Ellinger is exacting in his play at left tackle. Just ask star defensive end Maverick Ohle, a fellow co-captain who goes against Ellinger in practice.
The day before the Redhawks’ season-opening 14-10 victory against Hinsdale Central last week, Ohle addressed the team about what is expected from all the starters.
“I went through every single player, and I talked about what makes them a captain, and Grant was calculation,” Ohle said. “He’s the most calculated guy I’ve ever met.
“He’s not rah-rah, doesn’t put face paint on. But he knows exactly what his job is. He knows his steps and executes them perfectly.”
That was evident during senior running back Jude Sutherland’s slow-motion 4-yard touchdown run that put the Redhawks ahead to stay against Hinsdale Central. Sutherland was stood up at the line of scrimmage but kept churning his feet as the line helped moved the rugby-like pile into the end zone.
“That was pretty wild,” Ellinger said. “I was manned up on my guy, so I was blocking him a little bit to the left. Then I saw the big pile behind me, and it was funny because me and the Hinsdale Central guy went to the side of the pile. I just lowered my shoulder and pushed everybody, and we got it in. It was pretty awesome.”
Ellinger considers playing football awesome. He comes from a football family.
Ellinger’s father, Craig, played on Hersey’s 1987 state championship team, which upset unbeaten East St. Louis in the Class 6A final. A cousin, Paul Stawarz, played for Texas Tech, and another cousin, Connor Vanselow, is a senior running back at Wauconda who has been offered by Valparaiso.
Virginia has told Ellinger it plans to use him at guard or center.
“I’m excited for that,” he said. “I used to play center. I’ve kind of got a sweet spot for it.”
Ellinger said he hopes to play in the NFL one day. He knows getting that far — and playing offensive line — requires a nasty on-field disposition, but off the field he’s gentlemanly.
“That’s how he is,” Ohle said. “The only place he does any nasty is on the field.”
Ellinger is relishing every day of his final season with the Redhawks.
“Every time I close my eyes, I just think about how crazy it is,” he said. “I remember I went to a lot of Naperville Central games when I was in elementary and middle school. Now it’s senior year.
“You’ve got to keep reminding guys to play with each other. That’s why we’re out here.”
It’s working so far.
“We’ve been playing together our whole lives at this point,” Ellinger said. “We’ve got some talent, but I think it’s more impressive how we play for each other. You don’t see the talent so much that you see that we’re all one unit and play for one purpose.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.