When it came to navigating the college recruiting process, St. Charles East’s Austin Barrett had a perfect blueprint to follow in older brother Dylan.
Dylan ended up selecting Wisconsin, where he’s a redshirt sophomore who’s expected to be in the regular rotation on the offensive line for the Badgers.
Austin also decided to head to the Big Ten for football. Last month, the senior offensive lineman selected Indiana.
“It was a long recruiting process for me,” Austin said. “I narrowed down my schools the past month. Indiana checked all the boxes. I finally knew that was my home.
“They have all the tools I need. The coaches there are top notch and I ended up in the perfect spot.”
There’s no doubt his brother’s journey helped him.
“It gave me a look into what Big Ten football really is,” Austin said. “I know how much you have to work and sacrifice in order to make it big. It gave me a nice view of what that looks like.”
Nolan Possley is in his first season as St. Charles East’s head coach, so Barrett’s recruitment was the first time he went through the process in that role.
He came away impressed with how Barrett handled everything.
“He was such a pro,” Possley said. “To have all those schools rolling through, and right out of the gates seeing how much of a pro he was at it, it was a really cool process to go through him.
“I got to witness how mature he is and knowing he knew what he was looking for. That’s why I think Indiana is a perfect fit for him.”
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Possley, a St. Charles East graduate, had been an assistant coach throughout Barrett’s career with the Saints. He witnessed quite the transformation since freshman year.
In the age of specialization, it was actually the addition of another sport that unlocked Barrett’s potential.
“He did have a point where he was much bigger and he didn’t move as well, and then he got into wrestling,” Possley said. “I felt like that was really the game-changer for him.
“He got down to where he’s a super lean, athletic build, and he knows how to use his body. I think that was a huge adjustment for him.”
Possley plans on using Barrett across the offensive line, but he’s going to unleash him on the defensive line as well.
“I love sacking the quarterback,” Barrett said. “It’s fun. It’s also for the love of the sport.”
Barrett brings the experience of three varsity seasons. Over the first two years, the Saints won only two games. It’s a fact that gnaws at him.
However, Barrett believes Possley will help bring the culture back to where it was in the past for St. Charles East.
“I think the energy is different for sure,” Barrett said. “Everything is done here with a purpose. Coach Possley doesn’t mess around. When you come on the field, it’s strictly business.
“After that, when we’re off the field, it’s like a family out here.”
Possley has seen a resolve in the senior class to turn things around.
“They are ready and set to win,” Possley said. “The entire senior class has gone about things like, ‘Guys, we have to right the ship. We have to make sure we put our heads down and get to work.’
“They’ve been saying all along, ‘We’re going to work in silence and we’re going to show people what we’re all about.'”
Barrett even took it one step further.
“I think under coach Possley, whether it’s this year or in the future, we’re going to win a state title,” Barrett said. “I don’t know when, but we’re starting to work for it.
“The playoffs will be the norm again. It’s just a matter of when we win a state title.”
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Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
Team: St. Charles East.
2021 record: 2-7.
Offensive leaders: Austin Barrett, senior, offensive lineman; Lane Robinson, senior, quarterback; Blake Schuette, senior, wide receiver; Mason Tousignant, senior, wide receiver.
Defensive leaders: Cayman Manuel, senior, defensive back; Gavin Rabe, senior, linebacker; Parker Radler, senior, defensive end; Devean Shearer, senior, linebacker.
X-factor: Trent Matejko, senior, running back.