Fiedorowicz’s Illinois commitment shaky

Johnsburg senior C.J. Fiedorowicz stands for photos Tuesday during a presentation of the All-American Bowl jersey by the U.S. Army at Johnsburg High School. Fiedorowicz will be playing with elite football players from around the country Jan. 9 in San Antonio.

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JOHNSBURG – In what has become an annual rite, players in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl each January grab a cap from their future college football team at different points during the game.

Johnsburg’s C.J. Fiedoro-wicz will be on the East squad Jan. 9 in San Antonio, but which cap he will pick – Illinois or Iowa – remains a question.

Fiedorowicz, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound wide receiver-linebacker, was honored Tuesday afternoon at Johnsburg High School with a pep rally. The gym was filled with students, a pep band and U.S. Army representatives who handed Fiedorowicz a jersey.

The jersey had No. 10 on it, although Fiedorowicz will wear his usual No. 88 in the game. He is the second area player selected to play in the game. Marian Central defensive end Sean Cwynar, who now plays at Notre Dame, played in the 2008 game.

Fiedorowicz committed to Illinois in July, but the Fighting Illini’s recent struggles, along with Iowa’s rise in national stature, caused Fiedorowicz to have second thoughts.

Last week, he was set to attend Iowa’s homecoming game with Michigan, but Illinois assistant coach Joe Gilbert called him Oct. 6 and convinced him to come to Champaign instead.

“I’m still with U of I for now,” Fiedorowicz said. “I’m probably going to keep my options open with Illinois and Iowa.

“Coach Gilbert was a little upset because he wanted me to come to Illinois first and see what it’s like. It was a lot of fun. I went tailgating with [other recruits committed to the Illini] and they’re all a bunch of good people. I could see myself with them; I get along with them so well.”

Fiedorowicz has an official visit set up with Illinois for Dec. 12. In the meantime, he plans on making an official visit to Iowa for a game within the next month. The Hawkeyes host Northwestern on Oct. 31 and host Indiana on Nov. 7. He had considered going to the Iowa game at Wisconsin this Saturday but was talked out of it.

The four schools topping his list before Illinois came into the picture were Iowa, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Wisconsin.

“The Iowa coach said he didn’t want me near Wisconsin [because] it might put me back in the picture with [Wisconsin],” Fiedorowicz said.

On Tuesday, Fiedorowicz’s parents, Gary and LeeAnn, joined him on the west end of the gym floor. Skyhawks football coach Barry Creviston also was there, and principal Kevin Shelton started the short ceremony.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Ramiro Soza handed Fiedorowicz his jersey, which he slipped on before saying a few words to the crowd. Fiedorowicz started by thanking recruiting guru Tom Lemming, who nominated Fiedorowicz for the game. He continued by thanking his family, his coaches, his friends, and finally, his team, for all their support.

“It’s spectacular to honor a guy who’s put in all the hard work,” Creviston said. “He deserves everything he gets. He’s the hardest-working guy in the weight room. He’s honed his craft in all the camps and during the season.”

Creviston and his wife Valerie will travel to San Antonio for four days. Creviston will attend some coaching clinics while Fiedorowicz is practicing for the game.

Fiedorowicz is a two-time Northwest Herald All-Area first-team selection and will finish his high school career with 12 varsity letters (four in football, four in basketball, two in baseball and two in track).

“[The U.S. Army All-American Bowl] means a lot to me,” Fiedorowicz said. “Ever since my freshman year I really got interested in football. I really love football.”