Jackson Lewandowski, a junior defensive end for Lake Zurich, embodies the ideal football player profile. His father, Joe, played as an offensive lineman in the Arena League and currently works as an assistant for the Bears. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 235 pounds, with a neatly trimmed buzz cut, Jackson exudes physical presence.
“From my earliest memories, I remember playing football,” Lewandowski shared. “I was always playing catch with my dad and played every position growing up. I watched football whenever I could, and it’s the biggest thing in my life. I think about it all the time. There are so many things to think about.” Since Lake Zurich’s narrow 24-21 loss to Nazareth in the Class 6A quarterfinals last year, there has been plenty on his mind.
College coaches have shown interest, and he has attended various showcase camps to highlight his abilities. Offers have come in from schools like Toledo and Miami of Ohio. As Lake Zurich prepares to face Fremd on August 21, Lewandowski believes his speed stands out. “My speed,” he said. “I feel like for what I am, I’m pretty fast. That’s one of my most valuable things for recruiting. That’s my favorite thing to do when I go to a camp — run.”
Transitioning from the offensive line to defensive end last season has been beneficial for Lewandowski. In his first year playing varsity at the new position, he delivered with a team-high of five sacks and 27 tackles, including eight for a loss. However, he still feels there’s more potential to unlock.
Lake Zurich’s senior linebacker, Brock Rubicz, commented, “He’s the biggest guy on the field, and he’s so versatile. He makes it easy for our coaches to scheme around, especially when we go against teams that have a special player. If they have a great offensive lineman or running back, we can flip him to that side and let him blow things up.”
Adjusting to varsity play brought challenges. Facing Fremd in the season opener, Lewandowski matched up against Northwestern recruit Owen Jakubczak. “He gave me a good look, and that was a wake-up call,” Lewandowski admitted.
His perseverance paid off in the subsequent game against Antioch where, after a false start, he secured his first varsity sack, impacting the game within moments. “My false start messed up the whole thing, but I got a sack going the other way, and it totally changed the trajectory of the game,” he recounted.
In addition to his defensive contributions, Lewandowski also played tight end. His speed and strength make him a versatile player on both sides of the ball. “I was put into a spot to succeed on both sides of the ball by coaches because everything was new for me,” he said, expressing appreciation for the support he received from seniors and coaches.
Recently, the Lake Zurich football program underwent a coaching change, with Dragan Teonic taking over from Ron Planz. Teonic brings a wealth of experience from coaching at various institutions. “It’s an honor and a privilege to lead this program because I have a lot of respect for the school and the community,” said Teonic.
With the departure of all offensive starters, Lake Zurich’s defense will be key this season. Notably, standout players like Rubicz and Arturo Zarinana, along with Lewandowski, are back.
“He’s long and has a great first and second step,” Teonic noted about Lewandowski. “He’s a really explosive kid who always finds a way to get to the football.”
Looking ahead, Lewandowski’s potential for growth is evident. “He’s going to get bigger, stronger and faster, and seems to have a pretty good football IQ,” his father, Joe Lewandowski, stated.
As Jackson Lewandowski continues to develop, there is excitement about his future in college football and beyond.