Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Will Mettee, Loyola Academy football

Will Mettee is a senior linebacker for the Ramblers. Mettee, an Evanston resident, was the team’s leading tackler in 2025 and is committed to Boston College.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

Usually before games, I usually go out alone in the hallway and do a couple stretches of the hamstrings and kind of get myself in mindset. I’m usually pretty quiet. So I guess that’s my ritual; I stay pretty calm until we get out there. Being alone sometimes, in my own space, helps me play my best.

2. Why is Boston College a good fit for you?

I started to get to know them more in the winter and I ended up visiting in late March and I had a really good time. I went to a couple other schools, but feel like the coaches were really transparent the whole time and I really liked the facilities and overall it’s a really good school. The atmosphere of it was really appealing to me when I went. I was really surprised to see these Harry Potter-ish type of buildings. That really stood out to me. And the coaches were really among the best people I’ve been around in the football world. They were super close and seemed like they had a good thing going over there.

3. What are your first memories of football?

If you want to go way back, I was a flag football kid and I would always want to play quarterback and just throw bombs. … I always thought it was like baseball. I just remember zipping the ball at kids for no reason. Then it was like maybe you shouldn’t play quarterback. Maybe play running back or linebacker.

4. What’s been your favorite highlight on a football field?

Probably last year against Merrillville, when I got an interception to close out the game. It was our opening game. I feel like that was my first big moment on the varsity stage. That got me pumped and felt way more confident throughout the season. It was such a good moment.

5. What would be your dream job?

Maybe own a business and be able to employ myself and do what I want. I’m saying I’d want to run a company and teach a lot of people, maybe business stuff or sports, football. Owning a business would be cool. Another job that would be cool would be, starting out young as a sports analyst, especially in football. I feel like if got to ESPN level and talk about that on a wide scale that would be super cool.

6. If you could try another sport, what would it be?

I’ve almost been persuaded every year to do (lacrosse). I did one practice when I was a kid, and I stuck with baseball. Just watching it and seeing how similar it is to football. Your hitting still, your making plays, there’s an offense and defense, running up and down the field. … Obviously I am focused on football right now, but I might consider playing baseball or lacrosse. Every time I watch a New Trier-Loyola game, it’s so cool.

7. What’s your favorite thing to do off the field?

I like to golf a lot, lift. I like to hang out with my buddies. I like to go out to eat, watch a game. Watching movies, shows on your own is kind of fun. I’m pretty casual I’d say. Oh, and actually, I like to do mobility a lot, like two or three sessions a week for my body, my joints. It’s something a lot of people overlook.

8. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I’ll go with like a Core Power protein shake. I’ll probably get some honey roasted almonds and also like a Milky Way. That’s my kind of candy. And if I wanted some hydration, I’d go with a Gatorade.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

When I was kid, I never watched TV or slept in a crib. I would push a wagon full of bricks around. That was like my thing. My mom actually said that the other day… that I was doing workouts as a kid.

10. What’s it going to take to reach your team’s goals this year of a state championship?

Us playing to our full potential. … I think the team getting fully into it. When we won a couple years ago, I feel like everyone was involved, everyone was super close and always doing their best for what the team needs. … Able to be steady and we could face adversity the next couple of weeks so see how we react to that. … We have to stay steady, make sure we’re staying healthy.

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