Collin Brunstein’s dad, Kevin, believed he would make a good receiver.
He nailed it on the head.
Brunstein tore up the record books this past fall at NCAA Division III Illinois College.
The 2020 Jacksonville graduate hauled in 91 catches for 2,200 yards and 31 touchdowns to lead all of NCAA as well as set Midwest Conference and school single-season records in each category.
“He saw that I was fast and could catch the ball,” Brunstein said. “That’s what you need.”
All-area defensive football team: Here is The State Journal-Register’s 2023 all-area defensive football team
All-area offensive football team: Here is The State Journal-Register’s 2023 all-area offensive football team
Winning formula
Brunstein certainly remembers his first career TD catch at IC.
He went deep and lapped up a 79-yard TD pass from Andrew Gaul as a freshman at England Stadium. But it was the only game that IC participated in that 2021 spring season — if it could be called that — due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Illinois College’s Collin Brunstein carries the ball during the NCAA Division III playoffs against Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa on Nov. 18, 2023. Photo submitted by Illinois College
Brunstein accrued 54 receptions for 1,217 yards and 17 TDs over the next two seasons before finding an entirely new gear. Then-offensive coordinator Mark Murdoch tapped into Brunstein’s deep threat potential that junior year to help set the stage for next season.
Coaching vacancy: Pawnee opens search for new football coach after Kitt Thein steps down
But Brunstein inherited a new offense for his senior year, most notably brothers and Auburn High School grads Destin and Drew Chance.
Destin returned to the team as the quarterback after appearing in eight games in the 2021 fall season. Drew, who was a quarterback himself at IC, linked up with his…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jacksonville-grad-became-leading-receiver-090347033.html
Author : The State Journal-Register
Publish date : 2024-02-22 09:03:47
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
