Brennon Zeng is quickly becoming a significant figure among Batavia High School’s senior receivers. While he might have been considered the quiet member of the talented trio, his impact is now undeniable. This summer, Zeng, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 190 pounds, secured his Division I scholarship by committing to Northern Illinois University. This achievement places him among his teammates Darin Ashiru and Thomas Prescott, who committed to Western Michigan and Wyoming, respectively.
Batavia’s offensive coach, Sean Anderson, praises Zeng for his hard work and understated talent. “Brennon has worked so hard and he’s the most underrated of the guys. It’s great that he’s getting recognized now,” Anderson noted. He also commended Zeng’s performances at camps and his consistent skill on the field, which speak volumes more than his words.
Zeng, Ashiru, and Prescott form a dynamic group within the Bulldogs’ arsenal, ranked No. 2 in the Beacon-News/Courier-News preseason rankings. The talented trio will be primary targets for senior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren, who has been a three-year starter. Last season, Vander Luitgaren led the team to the Class 7A state semifinals, achieving a record of 10-3. By May, Vander Luitgaren himself committed to Wyoming, setting Batavia’s recruiting journey in motion.
Last season, Vander Luitgaren threw for 2,708 yards and 31 touchdowns. His prominent completion tally included 61 passes to Brett Berggren, who graduated this year, and notable numbers with Ashiru, Zeng, and Prescott, strengthening the team’s offensive strategy.
Zeng’s football roots trace back to his father Brian, who played at Glenbard West and Butler before injuries truncated his college career. Zeng made his varsity debut against his father’s alma mater, marking a significant learning phase filled with physical challenges and growth.
Batavia’s coach, Dennis Piron, highlighted Zeng’s commitment to improving his physique, gaining nearly 20 pounds of muscle since his junior year. His impressive camp numbers did wonders for his recruitment prospects. “He was always quiet and kind of did his thing,” said Piron, who stepped down from his educational duties in 2025 after an extensive coaching career.
At a camp at North Central College, Zeng caught the attention of recruiters with his standout performance, running a 40-yard dash in approximately 4.4 seconds. This led to an invitation and subsequent offer from NIU.
As a center fielder in baseball, Zeng has a soft spot for NIU, viewing it as familiar territory, having played there before and attended games. With a remarkable 4.91 GPA, Zeng, like his senior colleagues, plans early graduation despite pondering missing out on his final baseball season.
Batavia aims for a stellar season, targeting an average of 40 points per game and claiming another state title. This goal aligns with Zeng’s aims to contribute significantly. “We’re confident and definitely shooting for the stars when it comes to goals and trying to exceed them,” Zeng shared, with a focus on helping the team achieve their championship aspirations.
Brennon’s reliability and skill make him a valuable asset. Offensive Coordinator Anderson is eager to exploit Zeng’s ability to handle challenging passes and make critical catches with defenders pressing close.
Quick hits
- Team: Batavia.
- 2025 record: 10-3.
- Offensive leaders: Michael Vander Luitgaren, Darin Ashiru, Dane Trowbridge, Thomas Prescott, Brennon Zeng.
- Defensive leaders: Jack Brown, Luke Gardner, Gavin McKelvie, Giovanni Colamatteo, Amaree Daniels.
- X-factor: Charlie Rosengren.
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