South Dakota OL Navarro Schunke talks new offer from Auburn, hopes to visit soon

Offensive lineman Navarro Schunke added an offer from Auburn football last week.

Schunke, who is from Brandon Valley, S.D., learned of the news on Monday during a conversation with Auburn offensive line coach Jake Thornton.

“I was surprised,” he said. “I was on the phone with Coach Thornton and he told me. It felt great. I was excited.”

Auburn is one of the many recent offers for Schunke. Several schools had been recruiting the 6-foot-6, 300-pound lineman, but most believed he would wrestle in college. Understandably so, considering Schunke has won four straight state championships in wrestling, as well as the 16U national championship in heavyweight division.

Schunke, however, recently made the decision that he will play football. It was all Thornton, and other college coaches, needed to hear.

“I called and told Coach Thornton that I was going to play football in college,” he said. “After that, we talked for a little bit and then he offered. We had been talking for a bit. He’d been recruiting me. He just hadn’t offered me because he didn’t know if I was going to play football or wrestle.

“After I told him I was going to play football, he immediately offered. It was really cool.”

More offers roll in for Schunke

Auburn isn’t the only school to offer. Tennessee joined the list on Aug. 1. Schunke now holds several offers, including Auburn, Tennessee, Pitt, Kansas, Kansas State, Illinois and Nebraska, among others.

“Ever since I made the decision, college coaches have been talking to me more,” he said.

Schunke now plans to take more visits. He visited both Kansas and Kansas State in April. He’s also visited Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota. He has yet to get to the South, but that could change soon.

“I know a little bit about Auburn, but not too much,” he said. “I would like to go on a visit there. I haven’t talked to them about it, but I hope I will soon.”

Schunke is ranked the No. 2 overall recruit in South Dakota, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks the No. 43 interior offensive lineman in the country and No. 530 overall recruit.

“Schunke’s skills on the (wrestling) mat transfer over to the field,” Charles Power, On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings, said. “He’s a lean, natural mover who excels as a run blocker at the second level.”

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