Recruiting Wrap

Gallik makes the call to Zook

Posted by: Jeremy Werner

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 8:43 PM

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       Illinois football seemingly received a blow when Homewood-Flossmoor offensive lineman Zach Fulton - the brother of former Illini and rookie Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Xavier Fulton - committed to Tennessee on Monday afternoon.

            But the Illini still received good news on Monday night when Chicago Brother Rice offensive lineman Andy Gallik called to give the coaching staff a verbal commitment.

            Brother Rice head coach Steve Nye was present when Gallik called in to Illinois co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Curt Mallory and talked to Illini head coach Ron Zook.

            "I think when the whole process started, when we sat down and talked about schools, Illinois was at the head of (Gallik's) list," Nye said. "So to see him get the opportunity to play for the school he always wanted to go to - he's always been a big fan of the Illini - I think that's a nice thing.

            The 6-foot-3, 300-pound senior plays tackle in high school but will likely play guard or center for Illinois. Gallik is the seventh Class of 2010 prospect to commit to the Illini and the second offensive lineman to pledge to Illinois, joining Niles West guard Shawn Afryl.

            Gallik made the short drive to Champaign several times in recent months, including a trip to the Nike Football Training Camp held at Memorial Field on June 6. He chose Illinois over offers from eight other schools, including Boston College, Minnesota and several Mid-American Conference programs.

            "Every time he went down there and visited he just commented on how comfortable it was," Nye said. "I know that he's had some relatives that have gone to the University of Illinois, and his family is important to him. Ultimately, it came down to playing in the Big Ten and playing in the Midwest and having all those people to be able to see him continue playing and to go to a school that's so good academically."

            Gallik helped Brother Rice finish 9-3 last season. The Crusaders fell to Hinsdale Central in the IHSA Class 8A state playoffs. With the recruiting process out of the way, Gallik now wants to focus on his high school season, Nye said.

            "It's tough for kids because the recruiting process starts earlier and earlier it seems like every year," Nye said. "He's a captain for his team and he kind of wanted to know where he was going so he could concentrate on his high school season."

            Nye said he will work with Gallik, who is an accomplished run blocker, on improving his pass blocking technique before he joins the Illini roster in the fall of 2010.

            Nye added that he is proud that Gallik could follow in the footsteps of Brother Rice alum and New York Giants starting guard David Diehl, who was a second-team All-Big Ten selection as a senior at Illinois in 2002.

            "Any time you have players that are able to continue at the next level, you're excited for him," Nye said. "(Gallik) has really worked hard over the past four years to put himself in that position. No one deserves it more than he does."

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