School is out for the summer and state track is coming up this weekend but for Washington junior Nate Gerry, it's probably difficult to focus entirely on one sport. The Warrior is a stud in the 100 and 200 meter dash but he's also getting a lot of attention from major college football programs. In fact, track practice has become a who's who of recruiters.
At 6' 2", 208 pounds, it's easy to see what schools such as Iowa and Nebraska see in Nate Gerry.
"He's strong, he's fast. He's one of the top 100-meter-dash kids in the state. He's got the school record in the 200. I believe going into the state meet he's the fastest, or second fastest 200-meter kid in the state," Washington football coach Brian Hermanson said.
Scholarship offers are already on the table from the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers as well as Minnesota, Iowa State and Arizona State, with more to come. In fact, former Augustana head football coach, now Michigan State recruiting coordinator Brad Salem got his first glimpse Monday morning.
"I know the teams that I've been looking at are in the Big Ten and Big 12. I'm just going to stay open to everything. I'm not going to rank any schools. I'm just going to be open to all the schools and see which one fits me best," Gerry said.
Gerry's planning on making a decision before his senior football season like many other Warriors have done in the past. When it comes time, he will have plenty of options.
"You know, it's things that he's worked for and he knows it. It's going to be decision time for him in the near future. Hopefully he'll make the right decision that fits him," Hermanson said.
The list of suitors should grow after the Washington safety and wide receiver hits up an elite Nike football training camp in June down in Memphis. Gerry says he's looking forward to the competition he'll find there and showing off what the state can offer on the gridiron.
"There's going to be a lot of big-time athletes down there. I'll try to show them how South Dakota plays football up here so we can get our names out," Gerry said.
UPDATE: Gerry has received a scholarship offer from Michigan State.
