Berner verbals to SIU
<span>The speculation is over, Jordan Berner has picked his college destination.</span>
<span>The Chester senior tight end/linebacker verbally committed to the Southern Illinois University Salukis on Tuesday. According to family sources, SIU officially offered Berner a full-ride athletic scholarship on Saturday and he was invited to attend the Salukis' game against No. 10 Liberty.</span>
<span>"There's a lot of things I like about it," Berner said of SIU. "I like the coaches, the players, the fast-paced offense and how close it is."</span>
<span>The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Berner is reigning Black Diamond Conference MVP, an IHSA Class 2A All-State selection and one of the leaders of a 5-0 Chester team ranked seventh in the state in Class 2A by the Associated Press.</span>
<span>"Just very excited for his opportunity and couldn't have happened to a better kid," said Yellow Jackets co-offensive coordinator Jake Cowan. "He has always been about the team first and that is something you can only wish for.</span>
<span>"He treats everyone on the team with respect and he is looked up to by everyone."</span>
<span>Berner's top five schools had been SIU, Northern Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Penn State and he attended a Nittany Lions Elite Camp in late July. </span>
<span>"I had a really good experience," Berner told Scout.com about his Penn State visit. "The coaches didn't offer me, but told me they would contact me in a few weeks."</span>
<span>As for SIU, Berner told the Herald Tribune that the Salukis haven't yet told him their plans for him.</span>
<span>"I'm not sure if they're doing offense or defense," he said. "I don't know if they're going to leave that up to me. We'll just see how that goes."</span>
<span>According to Yellow Jacket Radio, Berner is the first Chester athlete to play Division I football since Scott Lamb signed to play at Illinois State in 1998.</span>
<span>Family sources confirmed that while Berner was receiving daily interest from college coaches, SIU was the only one thus far to extend a scholarship offer.</span>
<span>"It's a relief," Berner said on getting his decision out of the way. "It's kinda nice to get that off of my shoulders now. Now, I can just play."</span>
<span>Due to NCAA rules, SIU coach Dale Lennon cannot comment on recruits until they sign their national letter-of-intent, with the initial signing date being Feb. 3.</span>
<span>"Really, it's all about Jordan," said Chester head coach Jeremy Blechle. "I think it's a great accomplishment. Jordan worked hard for four years and became the player that landed him a full-ride scholarship at a Division I school.</span>
<span>"It's a big deal and a big deal for Jordan."</span>
<span>Chester is making full use of Berner this season, even using him part-time in the Wildcat formation. He has 150 yards and four touchdowns rushing, 108 yards and a touchdown receiving and is 1-for-3 passing through five games.</span>
<span>Defensively, he is second on the Yellow Jackets in tackles with 33 - only one tackle behind team leader Jacob Golding.</span>
<span>As a junior, Berner led Chester with 113 tackles (46 solo) and seven interceptions in helping the Yellow Jackets advance to the Class 2A Elite Eight.</span>
<span>He also had 617 yards and seven touchdowns receiving.</span>
<span>"He's a good kid and he's worked hard for what he's got," said Chester co-offensive coordinator Billy Belton. "He's a big-time player and a big-time playmaker. I wish him the best."</span>
<span>For his Yellow Jacket career, Berner has 265 tackles and nine interceptions heading into Friday's Homecoming game against Carmi-White County at W.O. Smith Field.</span>