Iannotti might be ‘sleeper of year’

It’s December, and college football coaches are returning to the area to cultivate junior prospects and recruit seniors who flew under the radar last summer but made reputations for themselves during the season.

Players such as quarterbacks Anthony Iannotti of Schaumburg and Darwin Rogers of Leo; defensive end Mark Willis of Oak Park; defensive linemen Anthony Wells of North Chicago, Cody O’Neill of Marian Central and John Brewer of Lake Zurich; running backs Scottie Williams of Downers Grove South and Bobby Pettis of Argo; and linebacker Jake Juriga of St. Charles North want a chance.

Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming describes Iannotti as ‘‘the sleeper of the year.’’ The 6-5, 225-pounder, who played end as a junior, emerged as a big-time quarterback in 2008. He completed 70 percent (191-for-271) of his passes for 2,409 yards and 24 touchdowns. And he was intercepted only four times. He also rushed 175 times for 979 yards and nine touchdowns.

Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling can’t understand why there isn’t much interest except for the University of Chicago. Lemming points out that he didn’t play quarterback last year, so recruiters weren’t aware of him until this season. Now they know who he is.

‘‘Iannotti stood out on film,’’ Lemming said. ‘‘He will play in a pro-style offense in college, not a spread. A lot of people weren’t aware of him until November. But it isn’t unusual for players to be overlooked as juniors, players like Simeon Rice, Michael Turner and Dan LeFevour.’’

Rogers has offers from Western Michigan and Kansas State. He wants to play quarterback in college, but some schools project him as a receiver or defensive back. He’s lining up more visits.

‘‘Now people are looking at him again because he showed he can play in the pocket and has quarterback skills,’’ Leo coach Mike Holmes said.

Oak Park coach Jim Nudera calls Willis, a 6-4, 230-pounder, a ‘‘best-kept secret.’’ Nebraska, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, Akron, Eastern Illinois and Miami (Ohio) have expressed interest, but Nudera said his overtures ‘‘are falling on deaf ears.’’

Nudera reminds that former Oak Park star Levell Coppage, who was dubbed ‘‘too small’’ by many recruiters, is having a good career at Division III power Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Wells, a 6-3, 230-pounder, has been offered by six schools, including NIU and Ball State. But coach Darrell King said he’s waiting for an offer from a Big Ten school.

Williams, a 5-6, 170-pounder who rushed for 1,315 yards and 18 touchdowns for a 7-3 team, has no offers. NIU, New Mexico and Western Michigan, however, have expressed interest. Coach John Belskis said Williams is a Garrett Wolfe type, small but fast (4.5), strong (he benches 300 pounds and squats 500) and athletic (40-inch vertical jump).

‘‘Someone will get a good running back that others overlooked,’’ Belskis said.

Pettis also lacks size at 5-7 and 175 pounds, but he was very productive in the last two years, rushing for 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns. He has been offered by Army and EIU. Ball State and New Mexico are interested.

‘‘He’s the best pure running back I’ve had in 28 years,’’ coach Jim Innis said.

Marian Central coach Ed Brucker is surprised that O’Neill, a 6-4, 285-pounder, has no offers, only interest from Illinois and NIU.

Lake Zurich coach Bryan Stortz said Brewer, a 6-4, 240-pounder, didn’t put up the numbers he did a year ago because opponents ran away from him and triple-teamed him — but he insists Brewer has Division I ability.

Juriga, son of former Wheaton North, Illinois and NFL star Jim Juriga, also has no offers. Navy is showing interest. So is the Ivy League. But the 6-3, 210-pounder needs to put on some weight and get a step quicker.

‘‘Big schools say he lacks explosiveness,’’ coach Mark Gould said.

Finally, Aurora Central Catholic’s Mike Adams seems satisfied. He received only one offer — from St. Francis, an NAIA school. But the 6-3, 227-pounder wants to play quarterback in college, not defensive end or linebacker, so he plans to accept it.