Schlager picking up interest
With two older brothers that have already encountered the recruiting process, McCook (Neb.) linebacker Zach Schlager knows fairly well what to expect with his. The rising class of 2018 prospect is receiving earlier interest in his recruitment than oldest brother Jake (Colorado State) and middle brother Joe (South Dakota) both did.
Colorado State, Missouri, Nebraska and Wyoming have each contacted Schlager's support system to inform them that they are interested in the youngest Schlager. Standing over 6-foot-2 and around 200-pounds, the impactful middle linebacker hopes to gain even more recruiting interest this offseason.
“I know I'm definitely going to be visiting the Rivals (Kansas City) Camp, then go to some camps in some different states,” Zach Schlager said. “I'll probably go to the Colorado State one, then a Nebraska junior day, then possibly Missouri.”
He hopes more exposure can lead to increased interest.
“I'd definitely like to start hearing from more Power Five schools. I mean, I love Colorado State and their atmosphere, and then with my brother's experience there. I'd definitely consider them. But, yeah, I'd love to go to a Power Five school. I think I have the ability to go there.”
As a sophomore, Schlager was honorable mention all-state. He broke his own school record for most tackles in a season (138 total tackles) and he broke older brother Jake's defensive points record by 30 points.
How did Jake respond to the news that his record was broken?
“He was pretty proud of me, honestly,” Zach Schlager said.
Schlager stars at middle linebacker for McCook, but is a do-everything athlete on both sides of the ball. Most recruiters project him to play on defense in college.
“I'm probably going to end up playing 'backer. I love it and my dad is the inside linebackers coach. I play offense, quarterback, running back... I kind of play everywhere on the offense. But I'm more of a defensive guy, so I'm thinking more inside linebacker.”
CSU defensive coordinator Marty English recruited Jake Schlager to the Rams and he is sure to be contacting Zach Schlager this fall when 2018 prospects are allowed to receive contact from recruiters.
“I think I'm planning on just going to their camp in July, just because we're super busy with track right now,” he said of CSU.
As is the case for most Nebraska preps, playing for the Scarlet and Cream has been a childhood dream.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I've always kind of followed the Huskers, because it's the big thing in the state. There's no professional teams or anything,” Schlager said. “It'd be great to go play there, honestly. They're a big school and they always seem to be up on top.”
Schlager likely isn't done growing, yet he is already a big-framed, chiseled linebacker. He said he currently stands at 6-2.5, 200-pounds and thinks he can weigh 220-pounds by the start of his junior season. He ran a 4.6-forty last month, has a 32.5-inch vertical, a 285 bench max and a 345 squat max.
In the classroom, Schlager sports a 4.0 grade-point average. On top of his 138 tackles in 2015, Schlager tallied 17 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles.
Ryan Krous is the publisher of GoldandGreenNews.com. You can email him at ryan.krous@gmail.com or follow him on twitter @RyanKrous for all the latest and breaking Colorado State news.