Batavia's Trey Urwiler commits to Northern Illinois

Batavia junior Trey Urwiler will one day play college football at the same stadium his Bulldogs won a state title in 2017.

The wide receiver announced via Twitter on Wednesday that he is continuing his academic and football career at Northern Illinois University. Urwiler had nine total collegiate offers, and five of them came from within the Mid-American Conference.

Urwiler also had offers from Eastern Illinois, Indiana State, Illinois State and North Dakota – where his older brother and Kane County Chronicle Football Player of the Year, Quinn, is headed.

"Growing up, I always wanted to be close to home," Urwiler said Wednesday. "I wasn't going to let that pull me [or] make my decision if I liked a place and it was far; and, if it was good for me. I would've gone."

"NIU," Urwiler continued. "Was just the perfect opportunity for me."

Urwiler ultimately was sold "early on" regarding the program and vision that Northern Illinois head football coach Thomas Hammock and his staff have for the Huskies moving forward.

"Coach Hammock and his staff [did] a great job recruiting me. They recruit the right way, and they’re building something special up there. I want to be a part of it," Urwiler said.

"What they're building up there is truly special," Urwiler continued. "And, I don't think a lot of people actually know it. They recruited me the hardest out of any school...just a great, great fit for me."

While Urwiler has another prep season of football to play, for now, Urwiler expects to remain a slot wide receiver once he gets to the college level.

Urwiler proved to be one of the top deep threats in the DuKane Conference last season for the Bulldogs (9-3, 6-1), who made it to the Class 7A quarterfinals before falling to Nazareth.

Urwiler, a Kane County Chronicle All-Area selection, led Batavia with a team-high 56 receptions and 880 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. The 5-foot-9 Urwiler averaged 73.3 receiving yards per game. He also finished with 1,044 all-purpose yards.

Urwiler received the NIU offer in January after a campus visit in October.

"I would like to thank my family for everything they have ever done for me," Urwiler wrote in the statement posted to Twitter. "Mom and Dad, thank-you for putting me in the best possible position to succeed."

Urwiler also wrote a small tribute to Quinn.

"Q, I will forever cherish the memories we shared on the football field. Thanks for being my best friend. Brothers for life."