USA Football

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - - Garrett Wolfe got the notion the NFL could be in his future after a record-setting high school football career.

After a record-setting collegiate career, Wolfe could be well on his way to his ultimate dream.

Wolfe became the 12th player in NCAA Division 1-A history to rush for more than 5,000 yards when he compiled 5,164 yards in three years at Northern Illinois University. He’s now in his rookie season with the Chicago Bears.

“Things are going well,” he said prior to the season’s start. “But I don’t feel fulfilled since I haven’t done anything this season yet. What’s in the past is in the past.

“I’ve always wanted to play on the professional level. I always felt if I had the opportunity, it was something I wanted to attain.”

Now that he’s in the NFL, Wolfe is hoping for a long and prosperous career. He set a personal benchmark Sunday in the Bears’ 37-34 come-from-behind victory over the Denver Broncos. He tied a career high with three carries and ran for a career-best 29 yards in the win.

And he’s living his dream in his hometown. He was an all-stater at Holy Cross High School, an all-boys’ school, where he set 11 team records. He was named team offensive MVP as a junior and senior. He picked up first-team Catholic League All-Red Metro Division and league MVP honors both seasons.

Wolfe led his high school team to the state Class A playoffs in 2001. He ran for 2,041 yards and 24 touchdowns in his senior year. That enabled him to finish his prep career with 4,311 rushing yards and 56 touchdowns.

In 2000, Wolfe led the Chicago area in rushing with 2,270 yards and 32 touchdowns on 272 carries. He also returned nine kickoffs for 378 yards for a 42.0 average and three scores. He returned four punts for 146 yards and a 36.5 average, plus one touchdown.

Wolfe played his sophomore season at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, before transferring to Holy Cross as a junior. At Fenwick, he lettered in track as a freshman, when he stood 4 feet, 10 inches and weighed 85 pounds. He caught eight touchdown passes while earning the Chicago Park District League’s Rookie of the Year honors.

On defense, Wolfe played free safety. But running back was his offensive position since his sophomore year in high school.

“I always wanted the ball in my hands,” he said. “The opportunity just came up.”

But after high school, Wolfe was able to see the dedication that was needed to advance to the next level.

“High school football is totally different. Everything I learned in high school, I just had to carry on into college,” he said. “It’s a different environment in high school. In high school, they try to teach you lessons that will help you for the rest of your life.”

At Northern Illinois, Wolfe gained enough yards to rank fourth all-time in Division I-A with career rushing yardage of 156.5 yards per game. Only Ed Marinaro, O.J. Simpson and Herschel Walker averaged more yards per game in their college careers.

Wolfe ranks seventh in NCAA history in career points per game with 10.4 and seventh in career all-purpose yards per game at 181.3. His career average of 6.4 yards per rushing attempt set an NCAA Division I-A record. He also set school records for career touchdown runs (52), and total touchdowns (57), plus 100-yard rushing performances (22) and 200-yard rushing performances (10). He ranks second in all-purpose yards nationally with 5,983 and in points scored with 344. He became the first player in Mid-American Conference history to lead the league in rushing, scoring and all-purpose yards in three straight seasons.

Wolfe said he advises all high school players to work hard in pursuing their dreams.

“Everything you want in life won’t necessarily come easy,” he said. “Work hard and be dedicated and things will work out.”

Wolfe tries to keep in contact with memories from his high school days.

“My old high school is closed,” he said. “My old coach is at another high school doing some coaching and I speak to his team every now and then.”

==