Van Dyne ready for a busy January
Stilwell (KS) Blue Valley wide receiver Harry Van Dyne is the top unsigned prospects in the Sunflower State for the class of 2017. The 6-foot-5, 185-pound senior holds nine Division I offers, adding four scholarships in a seven-day span last month. After coming on the scene as a relative unknown at the start of the season, the Tigers standout has enjoyed the surge of attention from college coaches.
“Everyone who’s offered me has been calling me and telling me how much they want to get me on campus,” Van Dyne said of his recruitment. “There are a few that are standing out more than the others. Wyoming, I took an official visit, and I really enjoyed it up there. Definitely KU. They are one of those Power 5, great offers.”
Kansas had been showing interest in the First Team All-Eastern Kansas League and All-State honoree for several months. When the Jayhawks made the call to Van Dyne in December, the big receiver was excited about the opportunity to help head coach David Beaty turn the program around.
“I talked to them all throughout the season,” he said of the Kansas coaching staff. “I took an unofficial up there for the TCU game. They lost by a field goal, but it was still a great game. They showed me their facilities and everything.”
“They are definitely on the rise,” Van Dye said of the Jayhawks. “To be part of a rebuilding effort would be an honor for me, to be a building block. But being able to go somewhere and compete is important for me.”
With 67 receptions for 1,096 yards and 12 touchdowns, Van Dyne averaged more than 16 yards per catch in 2016. He was one of four finalists for the Otis Taylor Award, honoring the most outstanding receiver in Kansas City. After leading the Tigers in receiving as a senior, the chance to play in Beaty’s air raid offense has his attention.
“When I went up there on my unofficial, he took me in his office,” Van Dyne said of the second-year head coach. “We had a great conversation. We’ve been chatting on Twitter a little bit, too.”
“It’s been great,” he continued, describing of his relationship with the Jayhawks. “I’ve enjoyed KU. Most of my friends are KU fans, but I’m mostly a Michigan fan, since my dad played football there.”
After tripping to Wyoming in December, Van Dyne has an official visit to Minnesota scheduled for January 20th. He said he could make an official to Lawrence over the next few weeks, and possibly Iowa as well. He knows what he’s looking for from his suitors, and his education will come first.
“Definitely the academics of the school. I’m not just going there to play football, I’m going there to get an education as well. And definitely a program that is going to bring me in as one of their own. A real family environment.”