by Chris Johnson (@chrisjohnsonn)
Leading up to the season Inside Northwestern will give you a preview of each of Northwestern’s 2012 recruits. Click here for previous entries.
Hometown: Lakewood, Ohio
Position: Defensive tackle
Star Rating: 3-star, No. 51 DT
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 260 pounds
Other offers: Iowa, Michigan, Syracuse, Toledo, West Virginia, Boston College, Vanderbilt, Syracuse
What’s to like:
The Wildcats have lacked a truly dominant run-stuffing tackle in recent seasons and their defense has suffered mightily as a result. Kuhar, an abundantly talented, high-motor player, has good size and speed for his position and is poised to make an impact early on.
This isn’t the first time NU has plucked a recruit from St. Edwards high school. Redshirt freshmen Deonte Gibson and Geoff Mogus arrived on campus a year earlier from the school and both could make an impact as early as this season. Kuhar may be the most talented of the three, and he fills an immediate area of need for the Wildcats.
Beating out several other top programs to land the Lakewood native shows that NU is now, more than ever, attracting quality talent in the trenches, where it has often been overwhelmed against other Big Ten opponents in recent years.
Prospects for next season:
There’s no shortage of young talent at defensive end on this year’s roster, but tackle remains a major question mark. While Brian Arnfelt, Chance Carter and Will Hampton will get the majority of first-team reps, a severe lack of depth could be devastating for the line as a whole.
It’s highly unlikely that Kuhar emerges as a starter this season, but he has the size, talent and potential to do so as early as next season. This year, expect him to compete for a reserve role as he adds weight, learns the defense and lays the foundation for a successful future in Evanston.
What he’s saying:
“The first time I visited NU, I loved the school. Coach Fitzgerald and all coaches are fantastic,” Kuhar told PurpleWildcats.com last August. “It’s a place I think I’ll be able to succeed. They’re going the right direction, so I want to go there and help them out.”
What they’re saying:
“Greg Kuhar comes to NU from St. Edward High School in Ohio, which has become a pipeline for the Wildcats recently. Greg was highly recruited for the reason that he has the potential to start on a Big Ten defensive line. This was without a doubt a big addition for Northwestern.”—Chris Emma, PurpleWildcats.com
Check out PurpleWildcats.com and Fox Sports Next/Scout.com for the latest in Northwestern recruiting.