Brother Rice’s Jack McNamara is not exactly a movie star. Not yet, anyway.
It only feels like that as the 6-foot-5, 235-pound sophomore tight end has emerged as a coveted prospect for the top college football programs in the country.
“I got recruited off my freshman film, which was crazy,” McNamara said. “Now I’ve got varsity film, and I’ve been blocking really well against great opponents. It’s expanded so much more.
“Bigger schools are able to give me offers, and it feels like an honor.”
On Saturday, Notre Dame was the most recent program to offer McNamara. That expands his list of scholarship offers to 14, including Power Four programs Illinois, Ohio State and Tennessee.
“Right now, I’m just living in the moment and enjoying what’s happening,” he said.
McNamara and Kameron McGee — a fellow sophomore who’s making major recruiting noise as an athlete and edge rusher — have turned heads for the undefeated Crusaders (4-0, 1-0).
And McNamara’s profile is only likely to expand in the aftermath of the Crusaders’ dominant 28-6 victory Friday night over three-time defending Class 8A state champion Loyola.
“Jack has exceeded our expectations,” Brother Rice coach Casey Quedenfeld said. “His development as a blocker and pass catcher have been a credit to his work ethic.”
Senior quarterback CJ Gray has been impressed by McNamara’s manner and approach.
“Jack is already a great player,” Gray said. “He’s big, physical, very mobile and he catches the ball well. I saw him play basketball last year, so I knew he was very skilled and athletic.”
McNamara is, indeed, a gifted athlete who combines ideal size, power and athleticism. He plays forward and center in basketball. As a pitcher in baseball, his fastball has been timed at 85 mph.
“I’m definitely a hybrid tight end,” McNamara said. “In middle school, I was over the limit to carry the ball. I played right tackle, but I always wanted to carry the ball.
“When I got to high school, I wanted to use the blocking skills I learned and start catching the ball.”
Last year, McNamara played exclusively on the freshmen level. In football, like the movies, timing is everything. He’s commanding a bigger stage in his second season.
“There are a lot more things to learn — play calls, tempo, speed of the game — but I was able to adapt in the offseason,” McNamara said. “I like to be an option in everything.
“I always want to be on the field. I always want receptions and I want to be able to run block. I want to do whatever I can to benefit the team.”
McNamara has a friendly, outgoing personality. In his rare off moments away from playing three sports for Brother Rice, he actually prefers a round of golf with friends to calm his mind.
College recruiting is not entirely new for his family, either. His mother played NCAA Division II basketball in college, while his father was an NCAA Division III football player.
He has also drawn considerable interest for his work on the mound. He has a wicked off-speed pitch and a slider. The curveball? His recruiting obligations might force some tough choices.
“I definitely want to play basketball, but with baseball, I’m not sure because of the time I have to train and do all the visits,” McNamara said. “It gets overwhelming at that time.”
While he has the savvy and polish of a veteran, McNamara also delivers big plays with the giddy enthusiasm of a young kid trying to take in everything.
“The anticipation leading up to the big game, playing good opponents, is the best part,” he said. “The Marist game was really special. Last year, I watched it from the stands.”
As a result, McNamara plans on taking nothing for granted. Not even an offer from Notre Dame.
“It’s an honor to be recruited by these huge schools,” he said. “It’s taken my confidence up very high. As a team, we’re rolling. I think we’re ready for any team that wants to come at us.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.