Batavia’s Brennon Zeng Steps into the Spotlight

Brennon Zeng, once considered the quieter member among Batavia’s standout senior receivers, is now stepping into the limelight. This season, fans and opponents alike are likely to hear his name more often. Over the summer, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound athlete earned a Division I scholarship, committing to Northern Illinois University (NIU). He now joins teammates Darin Ashiru and Thomas Prescott, who have committed to Western Michigan and Wyoming, respectively.

Brennon’s dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed by his coaches. Sean Anderson, Batavia’s offensive coordinator, praised Zeng for his perseverance. “Brennon has worked so hard and he’s the most underrated of the guys,” Anderson stated. “It’s great that he’s getting recognized now. He just goes to camps and shows out. He doesn’t say much, but he’s so solid and good.”

Zeng, along with Ashiru and Prescott, forms part of a skilled group for the Bulldogs. They will support senior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren, a seasoned player who guided the Bulldogs (10-3) to the Class 7A state semifinals last year. In May, Vander Luitgaren led the team’s recruiting wave by opting for Wyoming. Last season, he threw for 2,708 yards and 31 touchdowns, finding Zeng on 28 occasions and Ashiru on 55.

Brennon inherited his athletic prowess from his father, Brian, who played at Glenbard West in high school before a brief stint at Butler College. Brennon’s varsity debut occurred against Glenbard West, where his father once played. “That team was real physical,” Zeng reminisced. “It was a big wake-up call. This year will be a major step up.”

Batavia head coach Dennis Piron notes that Zeng’s progress is apparent. Since junior year, Brennon has added about 20 pounds of muscle, bolstering his performance in camp. “He was always quiet and kind of did his thing,” Piron shared, reflecting on his impending retirement in his 38th season.

One significant moment for Zeng was at North Central College. “It was silent until I clocked a 4.4-second 40-yard dash,” Zeng mentioned. An invite to NIU’s camp followed and led to a scholarship offer. Outside of football, Zeng also plays baseball, serving as a center fielder for Batavia. His familiarity with NIU comes from playing on its baseball field and attending games. Despite holding a 4.91 GPA, Zeng plans to graduate early to focus on football.

Though missing his senior baseball season weighs heavily on him, Zeng prioritizes football. “I think football is a bit more important,” he said. The coaches at NIU see early graduation as beneficial. Before collegiate plans commence, Batavia’s football goals remain clear. Their ambition is to average 40 points per game this season, aiming to secure a third state title as a send-off for Coach Piron. “My goal is to help contribute as much as I can,” Zeng states. “The title is what matters.”

Sean Anderson has confidence in Zeng’s abilities. “I’ll be more comfortable making possession throws to Brennon,” Anderson mentioned. Zeng’s hands are reliable, allowing him to make contested catches effectively. The season ahead holds great promise for Brennon Zeng and the entire Batavia team.