Jan. 05--Lake Park football coach Chris Roll lowered his voice, wary of the ramifications of his upcoming words about a high-profile senior recruit at his school.
After coaching senior defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk the past couple of seasons, Roll has become accustomed to FBS coaches roaming the hallways. Panasiuk, a consensus four-star recruit, committed to Michigan State in June.
When asked to compare the senior to his younger brother, Jacub Panasiuk, a junior defensive end, Roll trod cautiously in hopes of not angering the older --and bigger -- brother.
"As hard as it might be to play and stop Mike, Jacub might be more dynamic," Roll said. "Mike will kill me for saying that, but Jacub is kind of longer and faster and I think more dangerous because he's off the edge.
"They are two very different kids in a lot of ways. Mike was all power, just an unstoppable force. He was so big and so strong. Jacub is fast and has long arms and does a lot of things coaches like, so I would put him ahead of where Mike was a year ago."
Jacub certainly is no longer dwelling in the shadows of his older brother. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Jacub recorded 56 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, four pass breakups and forced four fumbles as a junior. Mike, 6-4 and 285 pounds, finished with 68 tackles, including 19 for a loss and three sacks, in earning Tribune first-team All-State honors.
At this time last year, Mike had one offer -- -- Toledo -- but Jacub already has offers from Syracuse, Illinois, Iowa State, Florida Atlantic, Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio).
Jacub admitted that he'd rather not mention his rapid rise in the recruiting circles to Mike.
"I don't tease Mike," Jacub said. "I just let him be, for he will come out with a statement like, 'I'm Michigan State.' I don't mess with him or want to bug him."
During the first few months of 2015, Jacub joined his older brother and Roll during their numerous college visits. Roll said that early exposure to the recruiting process and meeting coaches was helpful to the younger Panasiuk.
"Last year, when I drove Mike anywhere, Jacub went with us," Roll said. "We went to Penn State, Ohio State and a lot of places. It's funny, but Jacub thought he would never get an offer. I remember telling him to relax because he was 15.
"I would say he's ahead of Mike in everything. He understands the process better. Everyone knows who he is, and a lot of coaches are looking forward to know who he is before they offer him."
Jacub said he learned the value of patience watching Mike endure a slow, then fast recruiting ordeal.
"It got my name out faster than it normally would, got me a step ahead of everybody in my class because I went with Mike on his recruiting visits," Jacub said. "I'm more ready for it after seeing what he went through. It gives me hope because at the beginning I didn't think it was possible.
"I saw him fulfill his dream, and I thought I was just going to tag along and just watch him in college. I get to go with him now, and hopefully will play against him or with him."
Roll points to Jacub's age -- he turns 17 in June -- and learning the finer points of the game from his older brother as building blocks for a solid future.
"I think Jacub is really excited to pave his own path," Roll said. "If I had to guess, he's looking to go his own direction and go his own way. He's very interested in getting to the right place for him. His grades are good, so that will give him more flexibility."
Jacub plans to continue the family tradition by bringing his younger brother, Patrick, along during his upcoming recruiting visits. Patrick is a 6-2, 260-pound freshman who might be capable of playing on the offensive line in college, Roll said.
"My mindset right now is to keep lifting, doing speed training and training for track," Jacub said. "After a week or so when the dead period ends, I'm going to start planning my visits out."
Brodner planning visits: Glenbard West senior running back Sam Brodner is experiencing life back in the crazy world of recruiting since decommitting from Vanderbilt in mid-December. Brodner enjoyed a fruitful senior season, rushing for 1,917 yards and scoring 47 total touchdowns to lead Glenbard West to an undefeated season and the Class 7A state title.
Brodner, the Chicago Tribune Player of the Year, said his recruiting is pretty much the same as when he committed to Vanderbilt in June.
"My recruiting really hasn't changed that much, just some bigger schools," he said. "Wisconsin has been expressing interest."
Brodner said he's interested in taking official visits to Syracuse, Illinois and Wisconsin in January.
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
