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 Offensive linemen position group? I've been less and less impressed with the overall talent level that I've seen so far in the OL Class of 2025 in Illinois....and the overall lack of true offensive tackle body types already has the college coaches looking elsewhere already this winter. The group here at this showcase was pretty reflective of that mindset....the good player/prospects I saw are almost all interior linemen and we had maybe a few D1 level names in this group.
Offensive Linemen
Best of the Best award winners
374 Kennedy Washington Hope Academy 2025- Has ideal OG frame and tools and despite carrying a bit too much weight for now moves very well. Had a strong showing in one on ones and was able to win a ton of reps amd was consistently strong all day. Excit3d to see Kennedy's progress on and off the field over the next several months.
310 Dominic Bitz DePaul Prep 2025- I felt Dominic was easily the best overall interior OL here all day. Measured in at 5-foot-11, 270 pounds and showed tyo have great hands and feet, really impressive balance and used his hands really well here. Took on several larger opposing DL and more often than not manhandled them. Solid OC type here.
332 Eddy Dase Maine South 2025- Good size here as well and Eddy also showed to have good feet and quickness, was able to handle bigger DL and also was able to cut off the speed rushers pretty consistently all day. The OL coaches liked his ability to make quick fixes and adjustments on the fly and took well to coaching. Has a chance and the skill set to play at the D1 level.
256 Andre Mills Hope Academy 2026 Another impressive strong interior OL here who might not have ideal D1 level height and length but who's game is strong and will only get better. Mills has excellent hands and punch and no question knows where the weight room is this off season. Mills was able to adjust his approach from rep to rep and his motor was also pretty evident here.
215 Matt Marek Sandburg 2025- I felt Matt Marek was the best overall OL at this event and one of a few here with legit D1 level size, build, length and potential. Marek showed very good hands, punch and was just technically sound in his overall fundamentals. I was also impressed with his leverage and bend and he was able to stop/slow down opposing DL with his punch and power. My guess is the larger D1 schools see Matrek as a OG type and that works....but he also has the frame and look of a kid who's still growing a bit to me.
Also caught my eye on Mond
173 OL Liam Carney Wauconda 6-foot-4, 268 pounds 2025- Good sixed kid with length who at times did well here. Will no question get bigger and stronger this winter and spring and will be a name to watch this summer on the camp circuit.
263 OL Jalen Jefferies Kenwood Academy 2025 6-foot-2, 297 pounds 2025- Big, strong kid who also moved pretty well. Understands leverage and was also able to use his strenght and power to his advantage. Still has a ways to go from an overall technique standpoint but he also has a ton of upside here as well.
Next: Defensive Linemen
Look for even more breakdowns here all this week.
The Offensive linemen position group? I've been less and less impressed with the overall talent level that I've seen so far in the OL Class of 2025 in Illinois....and the overall lack of true offensive tackle body types already has the college coaches looking elsewhere already this winter. The group here at this showcase was pretty reflective of that mindset....the good player/prospects I saw are almost all interior linemen and we had maybe a few D1 level names in this group.
Offensive Linemen
Best of the Best award winners
374 Kennedy Washington Hope Academy 2025- Has ideal OG frame and tools and despite carrying a bit too much weight for now moves very well. Had a strong showing in one on ones and was able to win a ton of reps amd was consistently strong all day. Excit3d to see Kennedy's progress on and off the field over the next several months.
310 Dominic Bitz DePaul Prep 2025- I felt Dominic was easily the best overall interior OL here all day. Measured in at 5-foot-11, 270 pounds and showed tyo have great hands and feet, really impressive balance and used his hands really well here. Took on several larger opposing DL and more often than not manhandled them. Solid OC type here.
332 Eddy Dase Maine South 2025- Good size here as well and Eddy also showed to have good feet and quickness, was able to handle bigger DL and also was able to cut off the speed rushers pretty consistently all day. The OL coaches liked his ability to make quick fixes and adjustments on the fly and took well to coaching. Has a chance and the skill set to play at the D1 level.
256 Andre Mills Hope Academy 2026 Another impressive strong interior OL here who might not have ideal D1 level height and length but who's game is strong and will only get better. Mills has excellent hands and punch and no question knows where the weight room is this off season. Mills was able to adjust his approach from rep to rep and his motor was also pretty evident here.
215 Matt Marek Sandburg 2025- I felt Matt Marek was the best overall OL at this event and one of a few here with legit D1 level size, build, length and potential. Marek showed very good hands, punch and was just technically sound in his overall fundamentals. I was also impressed with his leverage and bend and he was able to stop/slow down opposing DL with his punch and power. My guess is the larger D1 schools see Matrek as a OG type and that works....but he also has the frame and look of a kid who's still growing a bit to me.
Also caught my eye on Mond
173 OL Liam Carney Wauconda 6-foot-4, 268 pounds 2025- Good sixed kid with length who at times did well here. Will no question get bigger and stronger this winter and spring and will be a name to watch this summer on the camp circuit.
263 OL Jalen Jefferies Kenwood Academy 2025 6-foot-2, 297 pounds 2025- Big, strong kid who also moved pretty well. Understands leverage and was also able to use his strenght and power to his advantage. Still has a ways to go from an overall technique standpoint but he also has a ton of upside here as well.
Next: Defensive Linemen
