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QUICK HITS
POSITION: Tight end
HEIGHT: 6-5
WEIGHT: 225
HOMETOWN: Wilmette, IL
HIGH SCHOOL: Loyola Academy
247 COMPOSITE RATING: ★★★ (.8450)
NATIONAL RANK: 966
POSITION RANK: 49
STATE RANK: 28
OTHER OFFERS: Ball State, Bowling Green, Cornell, Harvard, Illinois, Nevada, North Dakota State, South Dakota, Southern Illinois, Wyoming
MORE: 247 Profile | Hudl | Twitter
BACKGROUND
Eshoo was the 14th commit for Pat Fitzgerald in the Class of 2016 and officially committed on June 23 during an unofficial visit to Evanston. This came just three days after Eshoo visited the University of Illinois. In an interview with Jake Bartelson of ChicagoFootball.com, Eshoo said: "I knew Northwestern was a great school, but to be able to match their academics with a Big Ten football career, it’s unbeatable." He added that Pat Fitzgerald preached about family and seemed sincere and genuine during their conversation.
He led the Loyola Academy Ramblers to an Illinois Class 8A State Championship in his senior season and played both tight end and wide receiver during his two seasons on the varsity squad. He previously played tackle for the Loyola Academy sophomore team but told Bartelson he'd be willing to play anywhere for Northwestern: "When I get there, wherever they put me, I’ll be happy to play. I don’t care if I end up on defense, actually. Either way, playing at Northwestern is an honor."
OUTLOOK
Eshoo, in all likelihood, will be transitioning to the superback position for the Wildcats. His role in the Ramblers’ offense was extremely similar to what Fitzgerald and superbacks coach Bob Heffner will expect him to fill in Evanston as his versatility, size, and athleticism make him a great fit for the Wildcats' scheme. With three returning superbacks in Garrett Dickerson, Jamye Taylor, and Eric Lutzen, though, Eshoo might redshirt his freshman season.
With three incoming freshmen expected to play wide receiver for the Wildcats but no other superbacks, Eshoo won’t have much competition in his own class at the position. But, he did play some wide receiver in high school, so it's possible he gets some snaps there considering the Wildcats' relative dearth at the position.