Central Michigan, Montana State and Youngstown State arrived late to the Brandon Beitzel recruiting sweepstakes, trying over two weeks to compete with a school that had courted Geneva's senior quarterback for two years.
Expected to sign with NCAA Division II Grand Valley State as part of a ceremony at Geneva at 2 p.m. today, Beitzel will join a loyal program, a former teammate and a familiar scheme.
"A lot of play action, a lot of rolling out – what they do fits him," Vikings coach Rob Wicinski said. "He's not going to get back in that shotgun and become a sprinter."
Grand Valley State, the defending national runner-up from Allendale, Mich., favors a running attack that could include a heavier dose of 2009 Geneva graduate Michael Ratay going forward.
The Lakers experimented with the 5-foot-8 Ratay at cornerback last season but are graduating some of their key runners.
Geneva knows what that's about.
Senior Michael Santacaterina took Ratay's Superman undershirt and most of the Vikings' carries in 2009, but he is set to join Division I Northern Illinois as a preferred walk-on at outside linebacker or nickel back. Santacaterina – 5-10 and 220 pounds – collected 70 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries while garnering preferred walk-on attention from Illinois.
Still, Wicinski observed more consistent overtures from NIU. He said Santacaterina's recent meeting with folksy Huskies coach Jerry Kill cemented the decision.
"Northern thought about him, cared about him, they saw him in their future," Wicinski said. "He wasn't just another add-on."
Along with Beitzel (88-for-166, 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns last season), Santacaterina is keeping with a reunion theme with his college choice. Santacaterina workout partner and Geneva graduate Pat Pat Schiller started at linebacker for the 2009 Huskies, who lost to South Florida in the International Bowl.
In other recruiting news, 6-5, 290-pound Marmion offensive tackle Ryan Lovelace is set to join Wyoming as a preferred walk-on. Lovelace missed seven of the Cadets' games as a senior with various ailments and continues to work toward gaining size and flexibility.
"He's got the size, but he's gotten bit by the injury bug, and that's just so unfortunate," Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said. "Ryan's best football is ahead of him, though. I'm excited for him."
Teammate Bobby Winkel, meanwhile, said Monday he plans to take his time with his decision and may wait until the end of the month. A new batch of schools, including Lake Forest and Southeast Minnesota, have wowed the fullback-linebacker from Batavia in addition to those he already was considering.
