As we noted in a recent article, things have started to pick up on the recruiting front for Mount Si (Snoqualmie, Wa.) OT Chris Schlichting. Things came to a head recently with Montana and the Grizzlies decided to become the first program to offer the emerging offensive lineman from the Cascade foothills.
“Montana just offered me,” an excited Schlichting told Northwest Elite Index Tuesday evening. “I was in class and coach (Charlie) Kinune told me that I had some coaches that wanted to speak with me. I went down to the weight room and they said they really liked my size and how I move for a guy my size and that they were offering me.
“They said they really liked how I fit into their philosphy. They are a pro-style team, so they liked how I can be physical, but also how I can pass-protect and with my feet and the way I move they said I was a perfect fit at tackle for them.
“They want to get me out to the school to check it all out and I’m going to sit down with my parents to make sure I can do that. I might not be able to make it out for their camp, but I will definitely get out there this summer to meet with the coaches and to see the school and the facilities.”
The offer is Schlichting’s first, but more could be on the way soon as several schools, including Boise State, Portland State, San Diego State, Washington State, Utah State, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington among others.
As far as his camp schedule is concerned, aside from the possible Montana visit, Schichting has set up an itinerary that will keep him buys for most of the month of June.
“It’s going to be busy for sure,” Schlichting said. “I’m going to go to the Northwest Elite camp at Starfire (athletic complex in Renton) on June 6th and I’m also looking at the Montana State camp, the Eastern Washington camp and Washington State and Idaho.
“There’s a good chance I will get out to Boise State’s camp too, but I just have to see how things go as far as my schedule because it’s going to be really busy for me.”
Because he’s played mostly left tackle since his freshman season, Schlichting feels very comfortable handling pass-protection duties, but make no mistake, he’s a pretty good run-blocker as well.
“I think I’m probably at my best as a pass-blocker,” Schlichting acknowledged. “We’ve been a pretty pass-heavy team the past couple of years with (Oregon State-bound QB) Nick (Mitchell) back there, but we also ran it. I like to be aggressive, so it wasn’t like I was bad at run-blocking. I think I will improve a lot on that front too.”
With his size, natural leadership abilities and the fact he is a polished pass-blocker, Schlichting is a player who is very intriguing to college football coaches and now that he’s received his first offer, he could see the floodgates open and have more than just a handful by the start of his senior season.
