Reflecting on the collegiate career of senior Austin King, head football coach Randy Walker declared the departing center the team’s best offensive player over the past three years and “a big set of footprints to fill.”
While such a statement might seem intimidating to next season’s potential center, perhaps it should come as no surprise that incoming freshman Trevor Rees is excited by the opportunity to step right in — he always has had quick feet.
Rees’ quickness — he runs a 4.9-second 40-yard dash — helped propel him to all-state, first-team All-Greater Houston selection as a center for Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. During his three years on varsity he never allowed a quarterback sack, recorded 165 pancake blocks and led the way for two 2,000-plus yard rushers, and was ranked 14th nationally among centers by the Web site Rivals.com.
Next year, Rees will be one of the leading candidates competing for the Wildcats’ starting center position, a factor that helped solidify his decision to come to Northwestern.
“No kid wants to come in and red-shirt. Obviously you want to come in and play,” Rees said. “I didn’t want to go somewhere where I would have to sit on the bench two or three years to get a shot. I understand it’s the Big Ten and it’s hard for a true freshman to come in and start, no lie, but I definitely want to. I plan on doing my best to compete for the position.”
As is the case with many of Northwestern’s recruits, the combination of Big Ten exposure and strong academics served as the primary reason for Rees joining the Cats. His mother, Keli, and step-father, Drew Wall, expressed a strong desire that he choose NU because of its academics. Ultimately, they left the decision up to Rees, who also considered offers from Clemson, Pittsburgh, Kansas, Rice and Texas Christian.
“Growing up I never had a predominant school that I wanted to go to,” Rees said. “When it came to recruiting time, I never really had a true favorite. I was more open to who showed the most interest and what the school could offer me in a total package. It just seemed like Northwestern had everything I was looking for.”
In stature, Rees is a clear drop-off from the 6-foot-4, 295-pound King — he stands at 6 foot 2 and has just recently increased his weight to 275 pounds. Nevertheless, Rees’ head coach at Pearland does not see his size as a concern.
“I had four young men that signed Division I, and while I think they all will have a great career at the next level, he’ll probably be the one who contributes the fastest,” said Pearland coach Tony Heath. “He has great strength, and I’ve seen a lot of centers 6-foot-2 or less have great careers. If a kid can do it, a kid can do it.”
In preparation for the transition from high school to the Big Ten, Rees has dedicated the summer to lowering his 40 time, while still adding a few pounds of muscle. According to Heath, Rees already possesses the self-confidence and even-keeled disposition necessary to thrive at the collegiate level, the same qualities that helped make him Pearland’s 2002 team MVP.
“It’s definitely a jump, but the game’s the same,” Rees said. “You just have to speed everything up. You can’t let it take you by surprise or else you’re going to be wide-eyed and get yourself embarrassed on TV. You just have to prepare yourself for it and it won’t be that big a deal.”
