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LADUE — If could sleep in the weight room, he would. Or the film room. 

If it has anything to do with football, then the Ladue senior defensive lineman is probably front and center. 

"This whole offseason I've been running track just to get better at football," Huddleston said. "I'm just trying to get faster and get stronger. Every single day it's just all about football. Whether it's my nutrition, my recovery, all of it has been based around football."

Huddleston's borderline obsession with the sport puts a smile on the face of first-year Rams head coach Adam Hamilton.

An assistant coach for the last two seasons at , Hamilton was named as the program's head coach in January.

"We are changing everything we do from our vocabulary to our plays to our scheme," Hamilton said. "It's almost impossible for the kids to spend too much time in the playbook right now. I'm 100% in agreement with that, but we have structured the summer to (where they get time off). I'm lucky enough that our kids understand how to work hard when it's time to work hard."

Huddleston is the No. 21 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects.

He has verbally committed to play for Northern Illinois University, which next season will move from the Mid-American Conference to the Mountain West Conference for football.

"They showed me an unbelievable amount of love, and I knew I'll fit in," Huddleston said. "Like when I got in there (on a visit), the first thing I said is, 'I know why these guys beat Notre Dame (last season).' I like their defense. I like how I fit in the program. I like the coaches, like where I fit in."

Last season, Northern Illinois won 16-14 at Notre Dame in the second game of season for both teams before finishing 8-5 with a victory in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Huddleston also received offers from Fresno State, Kent State, Lindenwood, Miami (Ohio) and Southeast Missouri State. 

"He gives (Northern Illinois) a lot of positional versatility," Hamilton said. "His best football is ahead of him."

Huddleston's manic love of football plays a role in his versatility for Ladue's defense. 

He has been a first-team All-Suburban Conference Red Pool selection the last two seasons as a defensive lineman.

"Football has always been my escape from my problems, and it's always been there for me," Huddleston said. "I think it'll always be there for me, even when I stop playing."

Huddleston led Ladue last season with 13 tackles for loss and six sacks.

He had 87 total tackles, ranking second on the Rams — and third in the conference — behind linebacker Mason Marden.

"He's always, like, destroying blocks for me," Marden said. "He's really good at rushing the passer, and he has an unlimited motor. So it's always good playing beside him. I've been playing with him since little league, and we've been best friends ever since. Seeing him go on to play college football, I'm excited for him."

In three seasons, Huddleston has 94 total tackles, 13 sacks, 27 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.

Before heading to the college ranks, he is determined to help Ladue improve from a 4-7 record from last season.

"Our goal is the state title, and we know we're trying to install a standard here, a standard that will be left for generations," Huddleston said.