Mikey Claycombe’s blip grew brighter on the radars of many recruiting analysts last fall, but the Oswego linebacker wasn’t a surprise to high-profile teammate Carson Cooney.
The two returning seniors, along with classmate Easton Ruby, formed a strong group at the integral position that was the heart of a defense that led the Panthers back to the playoffs.
Cooney, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound middle linebacker and four-star recruit, committed in February to Iowa. And he definitely knows Mikey.
“The hardest worker I know, and I saw it coming,” Cooney said of Claycombe, who finished with a team-leading 82 tackles last season. “He works hard, and he had a terrific year.
“I’m kind of bummed out he’s gotten no offers so far. I feel like he deserves so much more than he’s gotten. It shows on the field.”
Cooney, who offensive coordinators scheme to avoid, ended up with 71 tackles in 2023.
That linebacker trio is among 18 seniors that return for the Panthers, who went 6-4 last year but slot in at No. 4 in The Beacon-News/Courier-News preseason rankings.
Claycombe, a 6-1, 205-pound weak-side linebacker, doesn’t have an offer yet. Recruiting interest has heated up, however, with Drake, Illinois State, Kent State, Northern Illinois, North Dakota State, and Toledo getting in touch.
Oswego coach Brian Cooney agreed with his son’s assessment of Claycombe.
“I don’t know why the trigger isn’t being pulled,” Brian said about scholarship offers. “Mikey does a great job and has had a great offseason.
“All three of them started all 10 games for us last year and continue to grow as a unit. Each of them has individual strengths and as a collective group they’re getting better.”
Claycombe, meanwhile, is staying patient.
“They want to see senior films,” he said of college coaches. “I’ll keep working hard, stay committed to getting better and try to gain a little more weight and muscle.”
Ruby, a 6-2, 205-pound strong-side linebacker, has heard from Central Michigan, Illinois State and North Dakota State.
“Mikey makes more tackles and I take on the blocks for him to break free and ride the rail,” Ruby said of Claycombe flowing to the ball carrier.
Ruby, who plays catcher for Oswego’s baseball team, may have other options as well. His older brother, Camden, is a junior outfielder at NCAA Division II Maryville.
Claycombe feels like he has come a long way since playing on the offensive line in junior high.
“Freshman year was my first playing linebacker,” he said. “I lost a bunch of weight and tried it. I thought I had more potential there.
“Actually, I didn’t really lose weight. I grew like a lot in a short amount of time. I shot up in that growth spurt.”
The position change helped him become an even better student of the game.
“I liked O-line when I was playing it,” Claycombe said. “But once I played linebacker, I was like, ‘This is 100 times better.’ I just felt like it was more fun.
“You get to see everything, understand what the offense is trying to do to you and what you’re trying to do to stop it. It’s more like a mental and physical game.”
While Brian Cooney said Claycombe’s first job is often stopping the run, he also brings versatility to the position.
“He is so fast, he can cover some, too,” Cooney said of pass coverage.
Claycombe also makes defensive calls on his own or by relaying signals from the coach.
“I take pride in knowing as much as I can, what the offense is doing and what we need to do,” Claycombe said.
A stronger schedule awaits Oswego this season, with nonconference foes Neuqua Valley and Joliet Catholic in the first two weeks and Bolingbrook replacing the departed West Aurora in the Southwest Prairie West.
Claycombe will be there to help for the Panthers, who finished an uncharacteristic 3-6 in 2022 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
“He’s the first one to call what we need,” Brian Cooney said. “He gets us lined up, plus he’s versatile. He’s strong, fast and does not shy away from contact.”
Team: Oswego.
2023 record: 6-4.
Offensive leaders: Cruz Castellanos, senior, offensive lineman; Jeremiah Cain, senior, wide receiver; Brett Connolly, senior, quarterback; Dylan King, senior, running back.
Defensive leaders: Carson Cooney, senior, linebacker; Christian Taylor, senior, defensive lineman; Patrick O’Toole, senior, safety; Easton Ruby, senior, linebacker.
X-factor: Michael Kelly, senior, defensive back/wide receiver.
