When Luke Anzlovar was in third grade, the signs were there that he was going to be a quarterback.

As part of a class project, he wrote a book about Mentor graduate and current NFL QB Mitchell Trubisky.

Years later, Anzlovar is a quarterback ready to show off his talents on the college level in Lake County. He recently committed to attend play football at Lake Erie College. How he arrived at LEC — technically, he will begin his freshman season in late summer — has layers but Anzlovar believes he’s in the right place.

God had a plan through it all. Every rep, every challenge, every moment led me here. Proud to announce my commitment to Lake Erie College. Let’s get to work. @CoachTKennedy @CoachDPrice @CoachShaqWash @CoachDarden34 @LakeErieFB pic.twitter.com/87CWkOa4mL

— Luke Anzlovar (@AnzlovarLuke) April 20, 2026

First things first. The emergence of Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal at all levels of college football has greatly changed the recruiting landscape, especially at the quarterback position.

College coaches must weigh the decision to bring in a high school senior QB or use the portal to attract signal-callers with experience beyond high school. Add an injury to that QB recruit and the situation only gets murkier.

Mentor native Anzlovar knows that process well.

The former Lake Catholic QB who later transferred and was a standout at Maple Heights spent most of his senior season nursing himself back from a nagging hamstring injury. He returned late in the season and for the playoffs at less than 100 percent with a goal in his mind.

“I couldn’t miss my entire senior season,” said Anzlovar in a recent phone interview. “I needed to prove to coaches I could play. That was big for me. I knew I would find a home somewhere.”

That somewhere is at Division II LEC, where Coach David Price will be entering his third season rebuilding the Storm’s football program. Anzlovar wants to be part of that process.

“I saw a lot of potential there,” said Anzlovar. “I thought maybe we could build off that.”

At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds with a strong throwing arm and ability to run, Anzlovar could potentially be a building block for Price and offensive coordinator Tim Kennedy, a coach whom Anzlovar said was influential in getting him to commit to the Storm.

Halfway through Anzlovar’s high school career at Lake, he transferred to Maple Heights, and played QB under Mustangs coach Shaq Washington. Immediately, the QB flourished. As a junior, he threw for more than 2,759 yards and had 40 total touchdowns, and was quickly on the radar of many college programs. Eventually, he received an offer from Kent State, and other D-II programs in Ohio, most notably Ashland, and was in discussions to potentially get another offer from the University of Akron.

Before his senior season, Anzlovar injured his hamstring and spent months rehabbing it with the goal of returning at some point. He played a little more than four games, including an upset win over Chardon in the first round of the playoffs in a game in which he threw for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns.

“I had surgery before the season,” said Anzlovar of his senior campaign. “I got clearance to play the last few games, but it was nerve-wracking. I wasn’t 100 percent.”

What came after was just as nerve-wracking for Anzlovar and his family — finding a college home. The injury made it difficult. Anzlovar was hoping for more offers but said the coaches wanted to watch game film of him as a senior first.

“It definitely hurt my recruiting process,” said Anzlovar of his injury. “It’s very hard, and there’s a mental block when you’re injured.”

Enter Price and his staff, led by Kennedy. Together, they recruited Anzlovar for more than a year. They eyed him as a QB of the future.

“Tim Kennedy said from the start, ‘This is the guy we want,’ ” said Price. “He’s a guy who fits our system. We knew he had a ton of offers, and we wanted to find someone who is local, and build pieces around him.”

For Anzlovar, that interest from LEC was huge.

“They made me feel welcome,” said the QB, who’s already joining the team for morning offseason workouts and summer installs.

As for the NIL world Anzlovar and other soon-to-be and current college QBs are dealing with every day?

“I think a lot of guys are worrying too much about money, and not how much they will develop,” he said. “I want a coaching staff that will develop me. I love the game. I’d rather work than be on the sideline with money in your pocket.”

With his college destination secure, Anzlovar’s focus is clear. He’s excited for the future of LEC football, can’t wait to be a part of it, and show off his talents.

“I will put the ball in end zone. I will score touchdowns for you,” said Anzlovar. “I’ll fight through whatever. After surgery, I wasn’t supposed to play for eight months, but I was back in 10 weeks.”