Junior Brian Kaiser, a star player on the varsity boys football team, shines both on and off the field.

As a 6-foot 7-inch player, who runs a 4.84-second 40-yard dash, Kaiser immediately stands out.

He also plays on the varsity boys volleyball team, has height, speed, strength, and agility.

From middle school through his second year of high school on the sophomore team, Kaiser played quarterback.

When he made varsity, however, senior Clay Czyzynski had occupied the position of starting quarterback for two years, so the coaches moved Kaiser to wide receiver.

“Going from quarterback to wide receiver my first year, I was really comfortable because I knew all of the routes since I had to throw them before, but now I just had to catch them,” Kaiser explained.

Although this was his first year as a wide receiver, Kaiser immediately excelled due to his height and speed.

“His natural ability, and his desire and willingness to help the team [enabled him] to have a good year playing a new position,” Head Coach Brian Doll said.

In the 2016-17 season alone, Kaiser posted 20 receptions for 432 yards and scored six touchdowns, and earned all-conference and all-league honors. As a senior, Kaiser played at quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end.

Kaiser explained his success in simple terms. “You have to have the drive. You have to be passionate. If you’re passionate about the position you’re playing and you’re fast, then you’re gonna get a lot of completions.”

Kaiser works hard to play at such a level. “During the season, including practices, [I spend] seven hours a day training. [We have] practice in the morning, lifting, practice afterwards, and then lifting [again]. Off-season, [I spend] two to four hours a day training,” he said.

Kaiser takes his role as a student equally as seriously. “He’s kept all of the doors open for himself. There’s not a school right now that has football that he doesn’t qualify for,” Doll said.

Kaiser has received offers from a variety of schools, including Vanderbilt, Michigan State, Princeton, and Wyoming.

“He is probably the most recruited football player that New Trier has seen in I don’t even know how many years. It’s been a long time since someone has been recruited this heavily, and has had this many Division I offers,” observed Doll.

Kaiser does not take such an opportunity for granted.

“College football is something I’ve been working hard for my entire life. I never thought it was going to come, but when the first school called me, my world stopped. Later, when Northwestern offered, my mom started crying. It was the best feeling in the world,” he said.

Kaiser has since committed to Northwestern University.

Junior Jacob Levy, a teammate and longtime friend, recounted, “When we were little, we’d play in his backyard, and he’d always say, ‘I want to win the Rose Bowl one day at Northwestern.’”

Kaiser has maintained a grateful and humble attitude despite such accomplishments.

“Some of these major colleges, like Notre Dame and Iowa have come to see him, and he treats them all the same. It can be a small school that he has no interest in, and he still treats them the same way,” Doll said.

According to his coaches and teammates, the respect and kindness that Kaiser shows to others makes him a remarkable leader wherever he goes.

The coaches especially value Kaiser, who often leads by example, as a mentor for younger players.

“He’s a great role model for our freshmen and sophomores. He’s somebody I hope they emulate, and I hope they take some of the lessons he has taught them,” said Doll.

Although Kaiser has proved himself to be an extraordinary athlete, he above all values the work and success of his team.