It’s easy to see why South Elgin’s Gavin Mueller, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end, has garnered so much attention since he decided to switch from basketball to football over a year ago.
Mueller saw limited playing time last fall at Wheaton St. Francis, but he transferred to South Elgin for his senior year and picked up a commitment this summer to Deion Sanders and Colorado.
There aren’t many mysteries with social media, so Mueller coming home to South Elgin and then an intense recruiting race for his services at the next level? It was out there for everyone to see.
Mueller, however, is anxious to put it all together on the football field this fall — finally.
“I feel like I have a lot to prove,” he said, nodding. “I open my phone, and you know, I get a lot of hate. It’s just nice to be able to put it away and be a kid with the guys I love. I’m just doing my job.
“I’ve always been a do-your-job guy. Obviously, this year, I have more of a job than I’ve ever had.”
South Elgin coach Pat Pistorio has heard all of the chatter as well. Most of the videos of Mueller circulating on social media are with no pads on in 7-on-7settings but they are explosive.
That helped Mueller land like a rocket on the national recruiting scene. And Pistorio is hoping to put Mueller in the best spot to have a huge senior season at South Elgin, which checks in at No. 9 in the Beacon-News/Courier-News preseason rankings.
“He’s somebody that’s looking forward to the opportunity to prove the doubters wrong,” Pistorio said of Mueller. “We’re hoping to put him in the best position to showcase some of his talent.
“I’m excited about what Friday nights can be for him.”
A big part of that will come from Mueller’s chemistry with junior quarterback Carter McDonald.
The two grew up playing lacrosse together before drifting apart when Mueller went to Wheaton St. Francis and McDonald went to Wheaton Academy. Now, with the Storm, they’re reunited.
“He hasn’t played a lot of games,” McDonald said. “Playing with us for the first time, it feels great. He’s already committed. I can’t wait to see what it’s like to play with one of those guys.”
Junior tight end Gavin Mueller, a transfer from Wheaton St. Francis, gets ready for an offseason weight training session at South Elgin on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (Paul Johnson / The Beacon-News)
Mueller also sees the potential in having McDonald under center.
“We didn’t just start working in June,” Mueller said. “We got going the minute I got on campus on Jan. 5. We built it fast. We hang out outside of football.
“That’s the biggest thing for chemistry — building the relationship off the field.”
Mueller’s presence has already elevated the other Storm players in recruiting circles. Typically, South Elgin is an under-recruited school. That changed when Mueller arrived.
“I know when we were lifting we had a couple Big Ten schools there and they were all watching me,” Mueller said. “At the same squat rack was our lineman, Charlie Watt, and after that he started getting texts from them. That honestly brings me more joy than getting recruited.
“It’s hard. They get overlooked here. I’m happy I can bring some attention to them.”
Pistorio also is happy to see that scenario develop because he knows that several quality players through the years have fallen through the cracks.
“A lot of our kids are excited and want to understand it,” Pistorio said of recruiting. “Well, they had it front and center for the last year. Let’s be honest, we’ve had some great football players come through South Elgin. I can’t think of anybody in U-46 that has received the attention he has.
“There’s a reason why people are coming to see him. Hopefully, I can deliver as a coach and give him the opportunities he wants and needs.”
Mueller knows Friday nights have always been a big deal at South Elgin. He’s just looking forward to being a part of that.
“Honestly, this place had a crazy football atmosphere even before I got here,” Mueller said. “I don’t need anything more. I hope it can be the same. I’m excited to be doing this.”
South Elgin quarterback Carter McDonald (10) looks for an open receiver against Batavia during a nonconference game in South Elgin on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Quick hits
Team: South Elgin.
2024 record: 6-4.
Offensive leaders: Jeremiah Carrera, senior, wide receiver; Nico Mastropieri, senior, center; Carter McDonald, junior, quarterback; Gavin Norcross, senior, offensive lineman; Darrion Thurman, senior, running back.
Defensive leaders: Netrick Belk, senior, linebacker; Dane Henson, senior, safety; Frankie Macaluso, senior, defensive end; Hunter Prus, junior, defensive lineman; Larry Smith III, senior, cornerback.
X-factor: Gavin Mueller, senior, tight end.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.