Vitale is Purple

Wheaton (Ill.) South junior outside linebacker recruit Tommy Vitale (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) added a Northwestern offer this morning and gave the Wildcats a verbal commitment just moments ago.

"I'm just excited and pumped right now," Vitale said. "I was offered this morning by Coach Fitz. I just got off the phone with my Dad and told him the great news. I'm a solid commitment to Northwestern and I couldn't be more excited."

Vitale, who is the younger brother of current Northwestern Superback Dan Vitale talked about why he decided to pledge to the Wildcats.

"I was offered this morning and the more I saw and experienced at Northwestern the more I fell in love with the place. I already felt very comfortable on campus and around the team. I just knew that once I gave it some thought this afternoon I was ready to make my decision. I was hoping that Northwestern would offer me and I wanted to treat them as equals with everyone else. In the end I just can't pass up a chance to play with Northwestern and earn a great education. Northwestern is 40 minutes from home and my family can see both of us play in college."

So was Vitale's older brother Dan a big factor in his decision?

"Not really to be honest. He told me to make my own decision and never really influenced me at all. He wanted me to find a school that's the best fit and Northwestern is the best fit."

Tommy Vitale is verbally committed to Northwestern.