Chandler's Urlacher Heating Up On Recruiting Market

Chandler HS Class of 2024 safety Kennedy Urlacher finds his stock rising at the right time.

Eight months after he received his first high major offer from Arizona State after attending their prospects camp with his Chandler HS teammates, the blossoming recruit is indundated with offers.

Buoyed by a unique blend of physicality and ball-tracking skills, Urlacher has gathered offers from the likes of Penn State, Miami, Notre Dame, Miami, Stanford, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Cal, Kansas, Nebraska, Washington, and a variety of others.

"The recruiting process definitely popped off after my junior year," said Urlacher, who is the son of former NFL linebacker Brian Urlacher.

"I think it was a combination of my increase in numbers and role from my sophomore to junior year which contributed to the rise in recruiting. I think it's just a result of me being physical and definitely using my physicality at my position."

A hard hitter with a college ready build, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Urlacher is a four year player under Rick Garretson at Chandler.

The program has gained national notoriety over the years, albeit top-ranked Class of 2024 quarterback Dylan Raiola, who recently de-committed from Ohio State, has decided to transfer from Chandler to nearby Pinnacle HS in Phoenix for his senior year.

As of right now, Kansas appears to be recruiting Urlacher the hardest.

"I hear from Kansas the most," Urlacher said."It is basically their entire staff, I talk to them pretty much every day. We've been able to build a great relationship."

Urlacher has also been in consistent communication with Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.

"I speak with the defensive coordinator Al Golden and coach Freeman all the time," said Urlacher, adding that he will take an official visit to the South Bend, Indiana campus on April 15.

"I am actually from the mid west originally, I grew up in Chicago and lived there until I was 13. So I'm super excited for the visit."

Miami has also gained traction with Urlacher, who is slated to visit Coral Gables, Fla. on March 21.

The University of New Mexico, where Brian Urlacher thrived, is also recruiting Urlacher heavily and playing up the legacy component.

The coaching staff, however, is cognizant that Urlacher is an entirely different style of player than his father and feel he can create his own unique identity at the program.

The tight-knit culture of the Chandler program has made the game a livelihood for Kennedy, who cited a state championship as the goal every year within the program.

The team as a whole employs a steadfast, live in the moment approach with emphasis on daily goals and a schedule that includes weekly team leadership meetings and even some trips to go play paintball.

Having the freedom to travel for the first time since the pandemic hit has certainly helped build the culture.

Urlacher had seven tackles, a fumble recovery and a touchdown as Chandler trounced Cathedral Catholic in a 63-7 walloping this past season.

While the safety is known for his ferocious tackling, he added an interception and a blocked field goal this past season.