This is still a work in progress I will remoive this posting when the story is completed!

Here is my breakdown of the Best of the Best award winners by position selected by a group of coaches and media from the event. The amount of names listed was dependent on the total amount of campers by position (more kids=more awarded). Look for even more breakdowns here all this week.

The Wide Receiver position group at this showcase? The wide receiver group is always oen of the biggest positional numbers along with also having some very good players and talent on hand. While a few of the ultra high level names didn't show here. several others took advantage of the showcase to get some work in along with getting some additional looks and recruiting attention.

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Offensive Linemen

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Defensive Linemen

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top RB/TE

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Quarterbacks

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Linebckers

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Defensive Backs

The Wide Receivers

347 Isaiah Wright Fertile Beltrami 2025- Had no idea where this kid came from or the school he attends (think North of Minneapolis) but Isaiah had a very good overall showing here. Has good size, hands and just worked hard here.

356 Jack Grigus Lyons Township 2025- Jack is more of an athlete/tweener positonally but ended uo working more with the receivers here. Jack always is solid at these various events, has good size and strength and is just a well rounded/versatile player and athlete capable of playing several different positions

308 Jaquan Duckett Corliss 2025- Corliss had a few kids here who I felt sis pretty werll and that includes Jaquan. Duckett showed really good speed and quickness in positional work and showed good hands in one on ones. Duckett has the frame to add more good weight and size down the line and should draw more looks this spring andf summer.

318 Jordan Bostick Palatine 2026- Younger brother of former Palatine and now Iowa WR Jacob Bostick, Jordan has sprinters speed and was also fearless in one on ones. Has good hands, some quick feet and smooth change of direction who will draw recruiting attention as a slot back type of receiver.

370 Laron Baker East St. Louis 2027- The March of Speedy and impressive East St. Louis skill position kids continues here. Baker measured in at 5-foot-11, 151 pounds and was able to use his quick feet and explosiveness along with good hands well in one on ones.

288 Royce Searcy East St. Louis 2025- Another slot back type here who just caught everything near him at this event.


398 Jamiir Sloan Kirkwood (Missouri) 2026- Twitchy athlete type who was very hard to catch in the open field and who also has good hands and the ability to just make opposing defenders miss

406 Talan White-Hatch Lincoln Way East 2025 Inside slot back type physically runs really well and showed to have great body control, hands and ball skills in one on ones.

206 Amiel Clark Plainfield North 2025- Ran really good routes, and also has a nice combination of good size, length and strength. Measured in at 6-foot-0, 175 pounds and was a very solid all around receiver here. Showed really well in one on ones and has great body control.

338 Quinn Morris Plainfield East 2025- I've been watching Quinn since he was a freshman and his overall game, physical tools and ability is all starting to come together. Morris has really good size, runs strong routes and has always had good hands, ball awareness and body control. Morris has now added more good weight and strength (and still has room to grow as well) and his overall confidence matched with his strong fundamentals.

242 Dario Milivojevic St Francis 2026- The younger brother of Alessio, Dario is also a very strong receiver from an overall technique standpoint who ran really well here. Dario also has really good hands and ball skills and his overall quickness and explosiveness was much better than I expected.

300 Jaylan Szlachetka St. Viator 2025- Had a very strong overall showing here. Didn't know much about Jaylan until this event but I liked his overall hands and he just made play after play in one on ones.

389 Travis Stamm Lyons Towmship 2025- Very versatile athlete who can and will play at multiple positions at the higher college level. Stamm has really good size (6-foot-2. 165 pounds) and is coming off a strong 2023 season for the Lions. Stamm was able to run well, made some nice catches and plays and he's just a name I really like in this class.

309 James Penley Nazareth Academy 2025- Penley was also spectacular in 2023 for the state champion Road Runners as was one of the top targets in 2023. Penley is a discipline route runner with very consistent hands. Penlley was just able to always find his way open and once the ball was anywhere in his neighborhood he made the catch.

312 Zachary Washington St Francis 2026- Zach is yet another top level receiver and athlete from St Francis who is coming off a very strong 2023 season. Washington has good length and reach and will continue to add more strength and sixe over the next year plus. Washington also has strong hands, knows how to make the tough catch in teraffic along with winning more than his share of deep balls and jump balls as well. I can see this kid drawing more and more attention and eventual offers later this winter and spring.

400 Ian Willis St Francis 2025- Another really impressive receiver who was at times explosive in one on ones and who was just a grinder in positional drill work. Willis already has a few early FBS offers and he has some real quick twitch ability, ran strong rouytes and caught everything.

Here is my breakdown of the Best of the Best award winners by position selected by a group of coaches and media from the event. The amount of names listed was dependent on the total amount of campers by position (more kids=more awarded). Look for even more breakdowns here all this week.

The Linebacker position group at this showcase? Again as I mentioned during the running back breakdown....linebackers also have a limited amount you can truly evaluate so I'm looking for things like size. frame and just how well they move in space. The pass defendive side of this is also a bit hard to judge when running backs take a back peddling linebacker say 50 yard downfield.....again that won't happen in live game ll. situations so I don't get too in the weeds regarding defending the deep ball.

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Offensive Linemen

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Defensive Linemen

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top RB/TE

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Quarterbacks

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Linebckers

The Defensive Backs

141 Edwin McClain Nazareth Academy 2025- Impressive speedy and twitchy athlete here who was really impressive here all day. Has really good read/react skills, can back peddle flip his hips and can get up to a sprint in a few steps and is just incredibly fluid. A multi-positional player here for sure and the only real knock is hid height for the high level schools.

232 Camren Williams Homewood Flossmoor 2025- Great size/frame )6-foot-0, 202 pounds) and no question passes the eyeball test in person. Cam runs well has the ability to play as a big corner or as an OLB/S type as well.

361 Quinn Kirby East St. Louis 2025- One of several nice playmakers here for East St. Louis. Kirby has really strong ball skills and feel. will read and react well and just seems to close on an opposing receiver better than most at this event. I was impressed with Kirby in one on ones and he alwauys was searching to take on the best opposing receivers.

349 Randy Johnson East St. Louis 2027- A younger guy who still has some growing and development ahead of him....but from an overall playing the position standpoint this kid has some upside. Speedy, quick and twitchy player who has a chance to make some noise down the line.

392 Raheem Floyd East St. Louis 2027- Yet another young dude here who has a bigger frame and will get bigger and stronger from here on out. Was very sticky in coverage here and just seemed to be a major pain for all opposing receivers.

354 Luke Gormsen Jacobs 2025- Was pointed out by the positional coaches for his work ethic and abiilty to make quick fixes and adjustments on the fly. Showed up and showed out in one on ones and was also very strong all day in positional drill work. Smart and very instinctive player here who might not have ideal high D1 level size but does have a very high level game this winter.

235 Frank Luckett East St. Louis 2027- Again it's crazy the amount of East St. Louis young talent here and add Frank Luckett to that listing. Luckett is also speedy with some twitch who made really good breaks on the football and who has the speed and quickness close on the football really well.

316 Seth Valeri St Francos 2025- Just seems like a very good overall football player and talent. Played in Wisconsin last season and has transferred into St Francis. Measured in at nearly 5-foot-11, 175 pounds and has nice speed and also good size and strength who looks to be a plus defender in both pass defense along with being a factor in run support as well.

307 Erimus Wright Hillcrest 2025- Has all the physical tools to develop into a high level athlete and that includes playing either at corner or safety. Measured in at 5-foot-11. 185 pounds and is pretty close to anyone here at being as close to college ready as the can. Wright was strong in one on ones, used his strenght and quickness to just at times smother an opposing defender and his upside and potential is really high here. Erimus is already adding FBS offers and expect several more to follow this winter and spring.

266 Myles Green DeLaSalle 2025- Another name that's already adding offers this winter and for good reason. Green also checked in at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds and has a great combination of speed and sizxe and showed to have great cover skills and ball awareness. Greens; video from 2023 also shows a big time hitter and closer who just does a ton of things well on the field. Has a chance to become a higher level D1 name in this class.

255 Tremayne Cheers DeLaSalle 2025- Speedy athletic player who runs well and made some nice plays in one on ones.

394 Zachary Weatherspoon Homewood Flossmoor 2025- Another kid who looks like he can play multiple positions if asked. Overall just liked his athletic ability and showed really well in positional work.

220 Joseph Neal Homewood Flossmoor 2025- The Vikings also seems to have an abundance of skills kids with speed and explosiveness who can play several positions if needed. Neal is also a quick athlete ansd some higher level tools.

378 Kaiser Williams Naperville North 2025- I've been a fan of Kaiser since last season. Williams has great size and passes the all important eyeball test. Williams I feel is a bit of a tweener positionally and I can see him playing say at safety or even as a rush defensive end. Williams moves well. is a very fluid athlete who continues to get bigger and stronger each time I see him live. Williams was strong in positional work and again just showeed really well here .

Next: Wide Receivers

Here is a first

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Here is my breakdown of the Best of the Best award winners by position selected by a group of coaches and media from the event. The amount of names listed was dependent on the total amount of campers by position (more kids=more awarded). Look for even more breakdowns here all this week.

The Quarterback position group? We have been filtering in two separate groups of quarterbacks at my camps for the last handful of seasons. Why? Quarterbacks remain the biggest position in need on the camp/showcase circuit....and you always will need to lock in a certain number of QB's otherwise you can end up with say 100 plus quarterbacks and also say 70 receivers and like 20 DBs....so just managing the overall number of QB's is always a challenge. I really like this quarterback group for 2025 and also 2026 and this camp also reflected the overall talent level and depth at this position over the next few classes.

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Offensive Linemen

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Defensive Linemen

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top RB/TE

Quarterbacks (Session 2)

371 Jacob Ritter Lincoln Way East 2025- Very good overall athlete here who originally signed up at WR but decided to play QB abnd did well. Ritter throws a good, accurate football and as mentioned is a fluid runner and a strong overall athlete. I can see Ritter getting looks at QB/WR and maybe say S?

239 Colin Livatino Evanston 2025- Had a nice overall showing here and the coaches liked his approach, was a quick study and made adjustments from rep to rep as well as anyone here.

225 Randell McDonald Homewood Flossmoor 2025- Impressive looking player who also showed ourt well here. McDonald. who measured in at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds will no question get bigger and stronger and his overall game is at a pretty high level including his arm talent.

301 Colton Gumino Hersey 2025- Remains one of the top overall QB's in Illinois in the Class of 2025. Has a big time arm who is a fundamentally sound quarterback who continued to get bigger and stronger each time I've seen him live. This winter and spring will be big here for Gumino who has a real shot at playing at the higher D1 level.

357 Cooper Kmet St Viator 2025- This was the first time seeing Cooper in person and I saw a lot to like here, Kmet, who is indeed the younger brother of Cole Kmet has a ton of upside including possessing a strong and accurate arm, is a good sized athlete who will no question be a threat running the football as well.

Quarterback (Session 3)

183 Logan Ide Maine South 2026- A younger guy from a schools that always seems to develop and have plenty of QB talent in the program. Smaller sixed kid who showed to have a strong arm and was able to hang in andat times matched throw for throw with some higher level names.

261 Steven Armbruster St Rita 2026- I saw Steven in person in 2023 and liked what little I did see from him. Measured in at 5-foot-11, 175 pounds and Steven will add more good size and strength over the next year plus. Armbruster was also able to make all the required throws, showed really good touch on his deep ball and had a solid day here.

346 Logan Malachuk Nazareth Academy 2025- Big time player who is about as low key at these events as they come. Malachuk, who measured in at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds makes every throw, is always very accurate and always comes to compete with all comers. Them more I see the more I can see say some FCS level teams take a really hard look at Logan this winter and spring. This kid in many ways reminds me for formner Rochester and SIU QB Nik Baker who wound up leaving Carbondale as the Salukis all time leading passer despite not fitting the "profile" of a D1 level quarterback.

358 Brendan Mecher Lockport 2026- Nice player here who throws a really impressive football, made good reads and was just strong in positional drill work.

272 Dominic West Downers Grove South 2025- Left handed quarterback who made some nice throws here along with making some nice plays in one on ones as well.

138 Leo Slepski Providence Catholic 2026- Finished the 2023 season strong after starting the season on the bench for the Celtics. Slepski plays with a ton of confidence, makes all the required throws and will no question get bigger and stronger over the next year plus. Made several big throws working with and along side the top group of quarterbacks here and Slepski will be a name to watch this winter and spring.

180 Patrick Heneghan New Trier 2025- It seems like Patrick attends ev ery one of my camps...so he's experienced at these events and always shows well in this setting. Patrick has good touch and also just makes good reads and good decisions with the football.

293 Dom Maloney Loyola Academy 2027- Another young up and coming signal caller to watch here. The coaches really liked Dom's arm and his work ethic here.

294 Kaleb Sims Simeon 2025- Kaleb played a ton of different positions in 2023 including quarterback for the Wolverines. Sims has good touch and feel, throws a really solid football and is no question a big time threat in an RPO system.

421 Ethan Plumb St Charles North 2025- Ethan is simply one of the most impressive overall quarterback prospects in the Class of 2025 in Illinois. Plumb has ideal size, strength and is just college ready as anyone at the QB position. Plumb can and will make all of the require throws with confidence and is simply a leader. It's really hard to figure out what colleges are seeking in a top level QB these days....all I know is that this kid is a big time player with a ton of upside.

295 Jack Reilly Wheaton St Francis 2025 Jack Reilly was another very impressive signal caller at this showcase and no question a name to watch this spring and summer. Reilly, who started his career at St Francis then spent 2023 season in Florida has returned back home for 2024. Reilly has really good size/physical tools (6-foot-1 190 pounds) and throws a very strong and accurate football. After this camp it looks like St Francis will have a few very strong options to replace QB Alessio Milivojevic for the 2024 season.

112 Matthew Brady Bloomington Central Catholic 2027- Young guy who started last season for the Saints and performer pretty well. Brady has good size and measured in at nearly 6-foot-3, 181 pounds and I'm excited to see his development over the next few years.

127 Brady Palmer St Francis 2026- Brady Palmer has been preparing to take over the quarterback position at St Francis for a few years now. Palmer checked in at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds and really has ideal tools and attributes. Palmer also has some legit arm talent and his ability to just put the football in a good spot was impressive here as well.

102 Johnny OBrien Fremd 2026- Another young gun who had a strong 2023 season playing on a not so good Vikings team and I was excited to see Johnny at this camp. OBrien also has really good size (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) and upside physically. OBrien also made some nice throws in one on ones.

So what are the Fighting Illini getting in Michael McDonough?

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Here is my breakdown of the Best of the Best award winners by position selected by a group of coaches and media from the event. The amount of names listed was dependent on the total amount of campers by position (more kids=more awarded). Look for even more breakdowns here all this week.


The Running Back/Tight End position group? These are generally positions that are somewhat limited when it comes to showcase events. The overall drill and position work in many ways will tell you more than any passing one on ones. It's hard to really get a feel for a running back unless they are in pads and live hitting. Also for whatever reason we have over the past several years struggled with getting good overall numbers of tight ends. Why? Again many high school aged tight ends are playing basketball at this time of the year and this seemed to be the case again this camp.

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Offensive Linemen

EDGYTIM/The Good Game Showcase: My Top Defensive Linemen

Running Backs

340 Hudson Ault Prairie Central 2025-One of a handful of kids I would have liked to see a 40 yard dash time on here (we don't test in January). Ault looked really quick in positional work and showed really good hands and straight line speed as well.

258 Sean Ford Hoffman Estates 2026- Quick, shifty s[peed back who just looked the part here. Still need to see more especially on video but the little I did watch of Sean Ford I was impressed.

265 Zion Gist Lincoln Way East 2025- Been a fan of Zion Gist going back to last off season. Gist has good size, strengthtand runs well. I can see Gist drawing recruiting looks at both RB and WR. Gist showed to have very good hands in one on ones, has very quick feet and fluid change of direction.

124 Jaeven Guillermo Chicago Corliss 2025- Corliss and head coach Keith Brookshire, who was a long time assistant under Morgan Park HOF HC Lexie Spurlock had a handful od speedy athlete here on Monday. Guillermo is more of s slot in my eyes who runs hard, has very good speed and showed some wiggle and change of direction.

413 Christian Smith Joliet Central 2026- I was able to see Christian play live last season and he showed well here on Monday. Smith has good awareness, ball skills and just seems to make some really nice catches in positional and one on ones. Snmith also seemed a bit faster this off season to me.

396 AmirTillman East St. Louis 2027- One of several highly impressive East St Louis young skill position players at this event. The Flyers have always been well represented at my camps and Tillman has really impressive speed and burst.

416?

302 Stephen Carrera Chicago Taft 2025- Carrera has been a regular at my camps and his story is an interesting one. Carrera, who suffered a serious hand injury during a 4th of July incident after his sophomore year wasn't even sure he would play football ever again. Carrera has worked hard and is you didn't know his story you'd never realize he
is playing with part of his hand. Love this kid's motor and effort at all times.

397 Emmanuel Ellis Cardinal Ritter 2026- Ellis is more of a slot back type who showed to have very good speed and quickness and is a dangerous player in the open field. Ellis will need to add a bit more size and power but his awareness, speed and quickness will play well in 2024.

285 Keon Sloan Cardinal Ritter 2025- Sloan is a bigger back who runs hard, has a nice combination of speed and power and was pointed out for his ability to learn quickly and make adjustments on the fly per the positional coaches.

Tight End

339 Bryce Tencza Providence Catholic 2026- Big, strong and a hard nosed kid who just went hard all day at this event. Tencza worked out at OL then moved over to TE for session 2. Tencza measured in at 6-foot-2, 270 pounds but ran well for his size and was able to make some highly impressive catches in one on ones. Tencza came off the field with a bloody nose after face planting to make a catch (he made it!) and his overall game and effort was really impressive.

Next: Quarterback 2 and Linebackers

In the process of attempting this in CA- just FYI, pay attention....

nm

It has previously been suggested there should be three primary objectives of any playoff system. They are:
1) Provide a reasonable opportunity for IHSA member schools to participate in the playoffs.
2) Create a process that is transparent and relatively simple to understand and administer.
3) Promote some semblance of competitive balance within each class.
While most contributors to this message board have given the IHSA a good grade for the first two objectives, the third objective has received mixed reviews. The following proposal is intended to improve the competitive balance within the various classes, while at the same time have no negative impact on the first two objectives.

The criteria for creating the following brackets has been developed, but I will not lead with that. I will lead with the proposed 8A, 7A, 6A and 5A brackets that resulted from the new criteria. The reason for doing this is that the ultimate success of the new system will be determined by whether or not people intuitively believe competitive balance has been improved. Toward that end, I want your first impression to be the brackets themselves and not the criteria behind them. There will be time enough later for you to review the criteria and judge whether or not you think they are fair and objective. I personally think they are fair and objective.

I also ask that you evaluate the results realistically. If perfection is the standard, it will fail. Hopefully the proper question to be asked is, does the new system significantly improve competitive balance? Once again, I personally think it does. For example, the outcome of using the new criteria is that 13 teams were removed from the 2023 8A bracket. Those teams were either dropped down to 7A or were removed from the playoffs entirely. The 13 teams that replaced them were on average 16.35 points better than the removed teams (based on Massey ratings**). By replacing some teams with other teams that were better, the difference between the best teams in 8A and the worst teams in 8A has been compressed. This process has improved the competitive balance in the 8A classification.

**Note: Massey ratings were in no way used as part of the new criteria. They were used in this narrative solely as one piece of objective evidence demonstrating that competitive balance has been improved.

Here is the newly proposed 8A bracket for 2023:

Seed
1 - Loyola (9-0)
32 - Lake Park (4-5)

16 - Belleville East (7-2)
17 - Stevenson (7-2)

8 - Maine South (8-1)
25 - Jacobs (6-3)

9 - Hersey (9-0)
24 - Lyons Township (6-3)

4 - Edwardsville (8-1)
29 - Glenbrook South (4-5)

13 - Huntley (8-1)
20 - Lockport (5-4)

5 - Barrington (9-0)
28 - Benet (4-5)

12 - Glenbard West (7-2)
21 - Palatine (6-3)

11 - Prospect (7-2)
22 - Sandburg (6-3)

6 - Normal (9-0)
27 - Homewood-Flossmoor (5-4)

14 - Downers Grove North (7-2)
19 - Brother Rice (5-4)

3 - Mt. Carmel (8-1)
30 - O'Fallon (4-5)

10 - Warren (7-2)
23 - Downers Grove South (6-3)

7 - York (8-1)
26 - Marist (4-5)

15 - Hoffman Estates (6-3)
18 - St. Ignatius (6-3)

2 - Lincoln-Way East (9-0)
31 - Mundelein (4-5)

Questions and comments will be welcome, but it may be useful to wait until after the 7A, 6A and 5A brackets are released; as well as after the new playoff criteria are released. I need to do a little snow shoveling first, but the other information will be posted today.

From 1A to 2A
From 2A to 3A
From 3A to 4A
From 4A to 5A
From 5A to 6A
From 6A to 7A
From 7A to 8A

Strictly from watching the state title games and knowing there are individual team exceptions to the rule, I see the biggest jumps in team ability occur (1) from 6A to 7A and (2) 3A to 4A.

Still a work in progress...once this is completed I'll remove this!


Again just a quick listing of teams I feel either are traditional powers who more often than not reload...along with team who will welcome back a strong core of starters back from an already somewhat successful 2023 season. Agree? Disagree? That's cool..let me know who I'm missing and why.

Traditional Powers Who Will Reload

Loyola Academy It'sLoyola so.....they truly just reload. Yet this Loyola team for 2024 welcomes back several key pieces from the 2023 Class 8A state championship squad including QB Ryan Fitzgerald, RB Drew McPherson along with S Donovan Robinson plus WR Will Carlson and WR Conlon Kane. With a roster numbering over 100 kids in 2023 (and that's just varsity players all seniors and juniors zero soph call ups on that roster). No down seasons ahead for the Ramblers.

Mount Carmel- It will be a bit interesting this spring when the Caravan graduate a tremendous senior class and graduate 15 starters from the 2023 7A state championship team. Yet this roster has never been as talented and as deep than it is right now. Back is QB Jack Elliott plus two starting OL while on defense DB Havy Payne is back along with 3 starting linebackers. Also sophomore DE Braeden Jones is going to be a monster and Jones saw quite a bit of playing time in 2023.

Lincoln Way East The Griffins always have a big roster and they always play a ton of seniors....and East will need to replace 18 starters. Yet this program also has depth and talent and welcomes back TE Trey Zvonar and DE Caden O'Rourke plus tweo starters back on the offensive line in Max Cioffi and Anthony Arrivo.

Warren Township The Blue Devils wlll again reload with several underclassmen back for the 2024 season who got serious playing time in 2023. Keep an eye on QB Jack Wolf.

East St. Louis The Flyers will need to replace QB Pops Battle but in many ways the Flyers have some elite level names already on the roster plus a deep underclassmen group ready to step up.

Cary Grove The Trojans? Many in and around the FBC felt that 2024 was going to be the year for CG...and well that obviously moved uop a season. The QB (Peyton Seaburg) and FB (Logan Abrams) return plus plenty of additional kwey linemen on both sides of the football fopr 2024.

Nazareth Academy The Road Runners welcome back an insane 18 returning starters for 2024....after winning back to back 5A state titles. That's the good news. The not so good news? The 2024 regular season slate is again a murders row.

Wheaton St Francis QB Alessio Milivojevic graduates but the Spartansd have a stacke group of underclassmen skill position kids back plus I've heard nothing but good things about QB in waiting in sophomore Brady Palmer.

Batavia The Bulldogs just always reload. The offense will need the most help with pretty much everyone graduating while the defense welcomes back 5 starters for 2024.

Joliet Catholic- I'll take JCA and four big and physical starting offensive linemen back for the 2024 any day of the week.

Maine South The Hawks will also graduate some key seniors but back are QB Constantine Coines. RB Mike Dellumo plus three starting OL back led by Zak Stoilov and OL Peter Strbac.

Byron Absolutely loaded for 2024 and includes sophomore RB/LB Caden Considine and a host of talented and speedy players on bith sides of the football.

Rochester The Rockets will graduate a big senior class but with QB Bryan Zulauf back I'm pretty confident the Rockets will be just fine in 2024.

Teams to Watch/On The Rise

Quincy The Blue Devils will bring back pretty much all of it's top level skill positions led by QB Bradyn Little, RB Jeraius Rice and WR Ty Hammers.

Normal Community The Ironmen welcome back som key names led by QB Kyle Beaty along with WR MarQuan Gary

Hersey Lots of young guys back including QB Colton Gumino, TE/DE Logan Farrell (North Carolina) among several others.

Geneva The Vikings will lean on RB Michael Rumero and 4 star ranked WR Talyn Taylor for the 2024 season.

Downers Grove North The Trojans welcome back sophomore QB Owen Lansu and also bring back 6 starters on offense and 4 on defense for 2024.

Morgan Park The Mustangs came close again in 2023 and despite some key kids graduating the Mustangs will lean on QB Marcus Thaxton, 4 returning OL plus SS/OLB Jovan Clark

Carmel Catholic The Corsairs night have been one of the best teams in Chicagoland to not make the state finals. Carmel will graduate a strong senior class but also bring back key names such as OL Tommy Lamberti, RB Donovan Dey plus junior LB Jordan McKie and freshman QB Trae Taylor.

Crete-Monee The Warriors were stacked with underclassmen in 2023 and will be back stronger in 2024.

Montini Catholic The Broncos had a turnaround season in 2023 and
welcomes back a ton of returning starters for 2024.

Glenwood The Titams literally started it's entire offensive skills group as underclassmen in 2023 and got big seasons from sophomore QB Colten Knoedler and several others all back in 2024.

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2024/...coach-tim-mcgarigle-to-defensive-coordinator/Former St Pat's, NU standout named DC for the Wildcats. Good luck Coach!

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy was a divisive topic of discussion among coaches. His play this season left coaches less than fawning, but most were impressed with what he did to help Michigan beat Alabama.

“J.J. hadn’t played that well in a long time, but he played really well against Alabama. I was more scared about him on the move than in the pocket. We tried to keep him in the pocket. He is very fast, and he really throws well on the run,” said one head coach who played Michigan this year. “He can make all these accurate throws from different arm angles. He’s better going to his right but can still hurt you going to his left. He’s deadly to his right.”

38 Yard TD for Michigan from JJ to Tyler Morris are both from LaGrange Nazareth.

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Jesse Bobbit, former Palatine safety and WR, is the Defensive Coordinator for the now National Champion Jackrabbits. SDSU ended up surrendering less than 10 points a game!

Mark Gronowski still with the team as well having a dominating season.

FYI this is still a work in progress I will have this story completed later this afternoon!

Listed below are my 2025 running list of tight end prospects to watch including my quick take on several of the players listed here who I've seen in person either this past season or at various camps etc. No mention or comment on a specific prospect yet? No worries I'll be breaking down all of the names listed here via film/camp observations. Stay tuned.

Class of 2025 Defensive Linemen

DE/TE Tommy Ghislandi Loyola 6-foot-5, 215 pounds 2025

DE Jaylen Williams Palatine 6-foot-6, 280 pounds 2025- A monster Power 5 level recruit with already college ready size and frame. Williams played mainly defensive end but did also see time at DT along with some time on the Pirates offensive line when needed. Williams still is a work in progress and has work to do including adding more good weight/strength along with improving his overall technique and pass rush tools. Williams again has the length/size and reach to develop into a big time prospect. While his overall game is still in need of work and improvement....I have no question Williams has the potential to become a major dude at the Power 5 level who could also someday play on Sunday's.

DE/OLB Gabe Kaminski Nazareth Academy 6-foot-3, 225 pounds 2025- Kaminski has been on college recruiting radar screens since his freshman season. Kaminski has the look and physical tools to develop into an OLB/Rush End and his overall motor and mentality is unmatched. Kaminski has a nose for the football and was able to show this past season he has the ability to take over a game at times. Look for Kaminski to continue to add more Power 5 looks and offers this winter and spring and you'll be hard pressed to find a more productive player in the State of Illinois in 2023.

DL Ke’Andre McClendon East St. Louis 6-foot-2, 245 pounds 2025

DL Cameron Brooks Homewood Flossmoor 6-foot-3, 250 pounds 2025- Steady playmaker for the Vikings who's game has continued to grow and develop. Brooks has good size and strength and is playing defensive end for H-F, yet he also has the frame and build to grow and develop into a much bigger and stronger player at the college level. Brooks can play either end or tackle and has impressive overall instincts and a very good motor. Brooks no question will need to keep getting bigger, stronger along with adding more pass rush moves to his gamer. yet overall Brooks has a lot to like here.

DL Nathaniel Marshall Fenwick 6-foot-4, 240 pounds 2025- Nathaniel Marshall is already a major Power 5 recruit and someone who could wind up being in talks as a possible 5 star caliber recruit in the Class of 2025. Marshall also has pretty ideal physical tools and in many ways is already college ready physically. Marshall highlight video starts with him playing wide receiver and tight end and Marshall shows off his pure athletic ability on offense....and then the fun begins on the defendive line. Marshall has an incredible nose for the football, has the ability to use his strength and quickness to beat opposing linemen down in and down out (and more often than not is beating double and triple teams). Marshall's overalll game and upside is pretty incredible and we will again have a highly in demand defensive linemen in this state for the second straight season.

DE/TE Iose Epenese Edwardsville 6-foot-5, 240 pounds 2025- Incredible family bloodlines here and Epenesa is another Power 5 bname who will be another National ranked recruit. Epenesa has a combination of impressive speed, power and quickness and is a player who opposing teams need to game plan against week in and week out. Epenesa's pass rush moves and tools are very high level and uses his hands and quickness to beat and disengage the opposing blocker.

DL Christopher Burgess Jr. Simeon 6-foot-3, 225 pounds 2025- Christopher Burgess Jr. who just committed to Notre Dame is another high level Power 5 rush end who jsut has the look and physical tools of another name from this Class who will play big for the Fighting Irish. Burgess Jr. had a solid 2023 season despite dealing with varilus injuries and his combination of speed, quickness and strength is quickly evident. Burgess Jr. also has a high motor and is a player who can be dominant at times.

DL John Behmer Rockford East 6-foot-3, 185 pounds 2025

DL/OL Gavin Tinch Prairie Ridge 6-foot-4, 290 pounds 2025 -Big, strong and very physical two way linemen for the Wolves who has been a varsity starter since his freshman season. Tinch has the look and physical tools to play say DT at a very high level but he's a very fundamentially sound OL and will draw looks and attention on both sides of the football. Tinch plays hard noised anbd very physical, his strength and technique are strengths in his game and I'm excited to see his development this winter.

DL Tony Galloway Romeoville 6-foot-3, 250 pounds 2025

DL Caden O’Rourke Lincoln Way East 6-foot-5, 215 pounds 2025- O'Rourke has good bloodlines (his older brother Sean played for Northwestern) and has been a key player and impact performer for the state ranked Griffins since his sophomore season. O'Rourke has impressive size and length, showed his versatility and athletic skills by playing pretty much anywhere on the defensive line. O'Rourke was a terrific pass rusher and closer in 2023 and opposing defenses needed to game plan him week in and week out. O'Rourke, who is also a strong student in the class room has a ton of upside and also a ton of room to grow physically.

DE Declan Walsh Benet Academy 6-foot-3, 230 pounds 2025

DL Charlie Stec Brother Rice 6-foot-2, 220 pounds 2025

DL Jason Dowell Belleville Althoff 6-foot-3, 275 pounds 2025- I was able to see Jason Dowell when he was a freshman at Cahokia and even then Dowell showed to have the potential to become a dominant defensive linemen and Dowell is already a highly sought after Power 5 recruit. Dowell is now at Althoff and was able to show his overall strength, quickness and Dowell plays with a terrific motor down in and down out. Dowell also just seems to get better and better wqith his overall technique and fundamentals every timne I see him.

DL Joseph Reiff York 6-foot-5, 220 pounds 2025 - Yes...yet another Power 5 player here who is committed to Notre Dame. Reiff is as tall. long and lanky athlete who just seems to be starting to get a handle on his impressive physical growth and development. Reiff was simply impressive this past fall on both sides of the football. Reiff has good sixe and quickness, has greastly improved his bag of pass rushing tools and he will just get bigger, stronger and better from here on out.

DE Jace Chamberlain St Laurence 6-foot-1, 215 pounds 2025- A bit of a tweener positionally at ther colleger level in my eyes...but Chamberlain was a highly effective this past season for the Vikings. Chamberlain has decent size and strength along with good quickness while also being advanced in his overall dline fundamentals.

DL Tyler Fortis Maine South 6-foot-3, 270 pounds 2025- A non stop grinder type who just loves the game....Fortis was able to at times make big stop and tackles in 2023 and his game continues to develop and evolve well. Fortis is a name to watch this spring and he has a chance to rise up the recruiting depth chart...something that will be very hard to do in this tremendous defensive linemen class.


DL Brad Fitzgibbon Marist 6-foot-4, 250 pounds 2025- A kid who has a ton to offer physically who should continue to draw more looks and attention this winter and spring. Fitzgibbon has good sixe and frame, is built to play inside and shows really well on video. Fitzgibbon has good quickness and first step, knows hand usage and technique and once he adds a bit more power and quickness has a chance to play at the very high college level.

DL Jack Murzyński Barrington 6-foot-4, 220 pounds 2025

DL Mason High Monticello 6-foot-3, 230 pounds 2025

Again I do not allow any speculation when it comes to kids and coaches regarding possible transfer issues things of this nature being discusses and/or speculated here......it gets too messy and it also involved kids and families and at this stage of my career and this freee board I want less drama not more.