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Colin Goebel goes way back with a few of the Illinois football coaches.

The junior offensive lineman from Naperville (Ill.) North received a scholarship offer from Toledo early last fall, back when Illini coach Tim Beckman and recruiting coordinator/tight ends coach Alex Golesh were directing the Rockets. So it came as no surprise when Illinois recently offered the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Goebel, who is the younger brother of Ohio State defensive tackle Garrett Goebel.

“They like him a lot,” Naperville North coach Sean Drendel said. “Illinois has done a great job so far.”

Goebel’s first offers came last fall from Toledo and Northern Illinois, and since then, he’s picked up more attention after a strong junior season. In addition to Illinois, Iowa and Mississippi have offered and the likes of Ohio State and Michigan have shown interest.

Drendel knew it was only a matter of time before the bigger programs started calling.

“He’s very physical, very strong, has great leverage,” Drendel said of Goebel, who plays tackle for Naperville North but will likely slide over to guard in college. “He’s a wrestler. He loves being at the point of attack likes dominating his guy and has no problem getting down the field to go find another guy.

“He’s a special player.”

He’s also an in-state player, from the Illini’s perspective at least. Which is why he’s an important recruit. If Beckman is going to take back (at least part of) the state in recruiting, he needs to get Goebel-type players. He doesn’t have to get all of them, but he needs to get his share of them.

A good place to start would be with someone who is currently fond of Illinois and offensive lineman coach Luke Butkus. Ya know, like Goebel is.

“He was very excited,” Drendel said of Goebel’s reaction to being offered by Illinois. “Coach Butkus, being a Chicago guy and from around here, and being an offensive lineman, he piqued Colin’s interests. I think they’re starting to form a pretty good relationship.”

Goebel’s also a player who seems set on deciding sooner rather than later. He’ll probably weigh everything following the recruiting evaluation period in April and May, then make a decision later in the summer, Drendel said.

“We’ll sit down and probably try to have a decision made in July or August just because I know with our past recruits it makes the season go a lot easier,” Drendel said.