During an unofficial visit this summer to Colorado, Andrew’s Michael McDonough didn’t get to meet former NFL superstar Deion Sanders, who’s been busy reviving the Buffaloes.

But he didn’t mind missing out on the man they call “Coach Prime.” McDonough ended up spending time with offensive line assistant Bill O’Boyle, and that was just fine with him.

“(Sanders) wasn’t there, but I had a great time with the O-line coach,” McDonough said. “He was a good dude. I like talking to the offensive line coaches.

“We’re always talking about technique and stuff like that.”

McDonough, a junior guard for the Thunderbolts, is making a lot of friends with offensive line coaches across the country. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound McDonough has a bunch of offers, including notables in Colorado, Illinois, Purdue and Boston College.

He has made unofficial visits to Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois, Iowa State, Michigan and Notre Dame. This weekend, he will head to Cincinnati. He’s planning on a Nov. 11 return trip to Colorado to watch a game against Arizona, so maybe he can meet Sanders then.

With a goal to major in aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering, McDonough wants to make sure he picks the right college. He has no desire to make a snap decision to commit, even though it has been tempting.

“It depends on how I feel,” McDonough said about when he might decide. “I’m taking this time now to analyze the colleges. I have liked every one of them. I’m just trying to feel where I fit best.

“I’ll wait it out a little bit — just look over everything and think through the decision.”

For now, the task at hand is to help get Andrew (3-4, 1-1) into the playoffs and win the SouthWest Suburban Red title.

The Thunderbolts (3-4, 1-1) host Lincoln-Way Central (6-1, 1-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday and close out the regular season with a road game against Lincoln-Way West (6-1, 3-0), so the road is tough.

On top of that, Andrew is coming off a 41-16 loss to Lockport. The Thunderbolts are looking to snap a three-game losing streak.

“You learn what you can from film, but you can’t be emotionally attached to it because it won’t help you get better,” McDonough said of the loss to Lockport. “Our backs are against the wall, and you just have to fight.

“I like that, and I like being in that position. You have to get after it.”

Junior quarterback Drew Silvia likes the way McDonough gets after it during games.

“We run the ball to his side the majority of the time,” Silvia said. “He makes the block every time. I love it. He’s opened some holes for me.”

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Andrew coach Adam Lewandowski, who also coaches the Tinley Park Bulldogs, has watched McDonough since he played in sixth grade. Lewandowski knew then the lineman was special.

“It’s always been about fine-tuning with him,” Lewandowski said. “It wasn’t just being a giant among boys. It was more about being a great football player among his peers, regardless of size.”

McDonough said he has been a lineman all of his career and wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Linemen don’t get a lot of respect and reward and glory, but I love it,” he said. “I love the physicality and attitude. It’s just moving dudes and forcing guys against their will. It’s awesome.”

Lewandowski is happy he will have McDonough around for at least a few more games this year and next season as well. But he also can’t wait to see his future progress.

“He’s got next level written all over him,” Lewandowski said of McDonough. “We’re really excited for him. We’re excited to see where he goes. He’s earning every bit of this.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.