Analysis and Evaluation of 2022 TE Recruit Chris Petrucci
Chris Petrucci was offered a football scholarship from some of the most prestigious universities in the country, including Colombia and Yale in mid-February, and Harvard in March. Despite the academic reputation of the Ivy League schools that had offered him, he remained open-minded and patient in his decision-making process.
That changed when he was officially offered a scholarship from Northwestern on April 13. He accepted the offer the next day.
Excited for the next chapter!💜🤍🐾 #GOCATS @coachfitz51 pic.twitter.com/Q2fd45KqGj
— Chris Petrucci (@ChrisPetrucci19) April 14, 2021
In an interview with our Lauren Withrow, Petrucci explained his quick decision, saying, "Once I finally got that offer, I already knew a lot about the campus, the type of school, and the people that are involved with the program. It was a no brainer ... so that’s why I ended up taking it right after they offered.”
Another key factor in the Illinois native’s decision was forging strong relationships within the program. “What mattered to me was the type of people who are there and what they have to offer—football and academics,” Petrucci said. “With all that combined, it really just seemed like Northwestern was the perfect place for me.”
Petrucci was the second commit of Northwestern’s 2022 class.
Below are his highlights from his junior season along with an analysis of his strengths and weaknesses.
Analysis:
The one thing that immediately pops out in Petrucci’s tape is his size. At 6'5 he is just so much bigger than his high school counterparts. He uses that size and wingspan to maximize his catch radius and make some pretty impressive catches. He is adept at making catches with one or two hands, and is able to make plays in the air.
Petrucci is a strong route runner who uses his body to create passing angles for his quarterback. He also has a knack for finding open space when a play breaks down, making him the ideal receiver for those moments. The three-star tight end has smooth hands and is capable of tracking and catching the ball over his shoulder.
He's shown he has solid speed for someone his size, but his primary strength is without a doubt his height and physicality. He should be able to use those physical tools and abilities to become a key player during his time at Northwestern.
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Jonathan Fernandez is a reporter and writer for Wildcats Daily Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Fernandez is also pursuing his master's degree in sports media at Northwestern Medill.