Baltimore Commits to Northern Illinois

Baltimore will be one of the SL's elite
defensive forces in the 2011 season.

Olathe East's Matthew Baltimore made a verbal commitment to play at Northern Illinois this past week.  The talented 6-foot-4, 230 pound defensive end will play the same position for the Huskies when he arrives on campus in 2012.

Baltimore was one of the top juniors in the Sunflower League last season, raking in 17.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, and nine pass deflections. 

Baltimore joins SM East's Elliot Faerber as the second player from the class of 2012 to commit to play football at a division one program.  Faerber has committed to play wide receiver at Illinois.

2011 Player Spotlights: Matthew Baltimore

Matthew Baltimore
Olathe East

Position: Defensive End
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 230 lbs.
Year: Senior

Stat to Note
As a junior, Baltimore was a Second Team All-Sunflower League selection as a defensive end.

Scouting Report
Baltimore is a pass rushing nightmare for opposing head coaches and coordinators.  Not only does he have great length for shedding blockers, but he's also a gifted athlete with speed to burn around the end.  There won't be many, if any defensive ends as athletic as Baltimore in the Sunflower League in the upcoming season.

Last season Baltimore recorded 17.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two forced fumbles, and nine pass deflections.  His nine sacks were two less than that of Olathe North's Tanner Gentry--which further fuels the question as to which of the two players will be the more dominant defensive end in 2011? 

For now, let the debate rage on.  Much of that discussion will be played out as the season goes along and the one thing that is for sure is that Baltimore's motor won't stop going, so long as he's on the field for Olathe East.  Baltimore has had concussion issues in the past and hopefully those won't be an issue for the talented senior this season.

Photo courtesy oehawksfootball.com