Lincoln-Way East High School Griffins quarterback Tom Fuessel orally committed to Northwestern University on Saturday afternoon, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune.

“I couldn’t pass that opportunity up,” Fuessel told the Tribune. “It’s a great school and coach (Pat) Fitzgerald is a great guy.”

Fuessel committed to play for Northern Illinois University during the summer, the Tribune reports. However, he recently re-opened his recruitment due to concerns that Northern coach Dave Doeren might leave NIU after the Huskies’ successful 12-1 season, according to an earlier report from Sun-Time Media.

Doeren announced on Saturday that he will be leaving NIU effective immediately to take a head coaching position at North Carolina State University.

Fuessel told the Tribune that he doesn’t yet know what position he’ll be playing at Northwestern, but that there has been some discussion of wide receiver.

At 6 feet, 3 inches and 180 pounds, Fuessel rushed for 1,502 yards and 21 touchdowns, and passed for 1,141 yards and eight scores for East, according to Sun-Times Media.

Fuessel’s athleticism and speed mean that he could play several positions at Northwestern, the Tribune reports.

The Griffins ended the 2012-13 season with a loss to Glenbard West in the Class 7A state championships.

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