By Bobby Narang
A month ago, Geneva High School junior wide receiver Bennett Konkey was excited about his future.
The possibilities seemed bountiful for the two-sport star.
After nursing a hamstring injury for 10 months, Konkey was finally at 100% for the Class 3A State track and field championships in Charleston.
On the blue track at Eastern Illinois University, Konkey blazed the field to win the State title in the 100 and 200-meter dash.
As a throng of reporters buzzed around Konkey after winning the 200 to complete the two-event sprint feat, Konkey talked about his future in football, his primary sport.
“It’s great not being able to run last year and to run this year,” Konkey said. “I wasn’t able to compete in 100 and 200 at State is a great comeback from last year. I’m super excited. This is my last year running track. I’m graduating early to play football. My last two races, so to be double State champs is exciting.
“I’m excited to see which schools will reach out to me now. I’m grateful for everyone in my life who has helped me along the way, including my parents with my injury.”
Now, Konkey added another memorable moment to his budding career by committing to play for Illinois football last week. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior-to-be is a rising star in the State after his injury slowed down his production last season, coupled with his new title as the “fastest person in the state.”
He picked the Illini over Iowa, Northwestern, and several other programs.
“Growing up as an Illinois kid, there’s no better school to go to than an Illinois school,” Konkey said. “All of their coaches are excited to have me and they’re all great coaches. I really didn’t think there’s a better fit for me.”
Last summer, Konkey was a unknown player with potential. He did not have a single Division I offer, but developed into a four-star recruit after catching 49 passes for 739 yards and nine touchdowns for the Geneva Vikings last season.
“I was hurting last season, so I couldn’t really show everything that I wanted to on film,” Konkey said. “A lot of coaches who were interested before started to question my speed.”
Konkey joins 2025 Geneva graduate Talyn Taylor, a wide receiver, who is a freshman at Georgia, as recent Division I recruits from the program.