Brandon Pechloff: The Start of a New Beginning
By Matt Yanofsky
Brandon Pechloff’s recruiting process didn’t go the way he wanted it to.
The All-State QB wasn’t receiving the kind of offers he expected after passing for 3,199 yards and 43 TD’s this year while leading Montini Catholic to a 5A Illinois State Championship. The 6’5 senior, one of the best QB’s at the Top Prospect Camp, was puzzled as to why many of the players he outperformed signed to play at D-1 schools but yet, he didn’t.
“It was extremely frustrating”, said Pechloff. “I was always told (that if I do) my job on the field they’ll find you. I felt I did my job by (passing for) as many yards as best player in the country and by throwing for more TD’s than most of them. But at the end of the day, I had no offers while (other players) were getting offers by the boatload.”
Pechloff also referred to schools’ lack of interest as “humiliating”.
With a big time scholarship all but out of the picture, Pechloff committed to D-1AA Western Carolina on January 28. Although the Catamounts finished 2-9 last season, Pechloff is excited about the possibility to take over a program looking to get back on track.
“For me its an opportunity to play” “anybody can walk into a powerhouse program and win while putting up big numbers, but it takes a real QB to turn a team into a winner”.
He also cites his success in high school as one of the reasons he is confident as an incoming freshman.
“My high school team was expected to lose most games this year. We had a small team, but our hard work and dedication took us where we were. I think I can (take what I did in high school to help turn around) Western Carolina”.
With his letter of intent signed, Pechloff is now able to look into the future and envision success at the highest level. While he didn’t land a spot at Michigan State or the University of Illinois, Pechloff has little concern that playing for a small school will hurt his chances to make it to the next level.
“I have the size and style to go a long way”, Pechloff said confidently. “I think I can be a Joe Flacco type of QB (at the next level). I am 6’5, 217 at 17 years old and I think I will be 6’7, 245 (when I am done growing). Flacco was the #18 draft pick coming out of a small school and I think if I am good enough, they will find me”.
Pechloff landing at Western Carolina was far from scripted. He was planning to attend a junior college, but was contacted by head coach Dennis Wagner. Wagner, who is heading into his second year as head coach, was shocked to see a player at Pechloff’s level fly so far under the radar.
“We didn’t plan on taking a freshman”, said Wagner, who discovered Pechloff on the Rivals.com database. “But to get somebody of his caliber this late (in recruiting season) was quite impressive”
Wagner, like the NUC, sees the big time potential in Pechloff, but says the pro-style QB will have to work hard and earn his stripes before running the Catamounts offense.
“We have a returning starter (at QB) and a transfer from a UConn, so Brandon will have a chance to learn a lot and become the QB of our future.”
Looks like Western Carolina landed the sleeper of the year; Pechloff sure hopes so.
“It would be great if I won the starting job this year, but I know our incumbent QB is a terrific player and our new backup is solid as well”. “If I don’t get the opportunity this year I will redshirt so I can get the chance to play next year.”
“My goal is to star all four years revenge is the best part of it and all those schools that said I wasn’t good strong or fast enough, I hope to show them who I am. That is the feeling I am waiting for and what drives me daily”.
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