I was able to take in the EIU one day camp on Friday night. The overall numbers weren't great (65-70 kids) but I was able to see several strong players and names who will hopefully draw more looks and attention this fall. Also it'a always great to visit with the EIU staff including head coach Adam Cushing who's been a good friend for many years now and someone who always want to talk White Sox baseball with me. AS always I was able to see several Out of State kids who fared well here....but my focus for this camp was on the in-state kids.
So Who Stood Out?
25 Blue RB Marco Maldonado Loyola (2022)- Maldonado was pretty solid here in drill and positional work and I was already impressed with him from the spring season. Maldonado was able to get some decent playing time in the spring and has good size and strength, runs hard and also showed some good burst and quick feet here.
12 Blue DB Omari Rhinehart Mundelein 2022- Pretty much an unknown in my eyes but Rhinehart has really good length, quickness and just was pretty fundamentally sound at this camp. Competed hard in what I thought was a very good DB group at this camp. Could play at the D2 level in my opinion.
52 Blue DL Tyler Wims Lemont 2022- I've seen Tyler a handful of times and he's just a hard nosed grinder type, goes hard in every rep and his combination of quickness, hands and power is always impressive.
1 White QB Colt Michael OFallon 2023- Liked his older brother Ty (McKendree) quite a bit and Colt will be another top name to watch over the next few years. Colt started at O'Fallon, transferred out in the fall to St Louis and has since returned to OFallon. Michael has an impressive arm, is comfortable inside and outside of the pocket and throws a very impressive ball with touch. Michael still has some weight and size to add but his upside is unquestioned in my eyes.
2 White QB Elijah Owens Jacksonville 2023- Another 2023 name to watch this fall. Owens also has good size, throws a really good and accurate ball and has the physical tools to develop into a nice dual threat quarterback. Look for Owens to also be in line for a big season this fall and will put up some strong numbers.
3 White RB James Williams Evergreen Park 2022- A really well put together running back (5-foot-9, 200 pounds) who showed to have some really impressive open field moves, good speed and really good feet. Williams at times put on a show in cat and mouse drills and I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this young man this fall.
0 White WR Antonio Winters OFallon 2022- Transferred in this summer to O'Fallon from Belleville West. Winters has good speed and quickness and was able to show well in one on ones. Has good body control and just showed to have a good feel for the position. Has a chance to put up some good numbers this fall in the Panthers offense.
83 White WR Allen Middleton Mascoutah 2022- Speedy receiver with really impressive hops and some quick twitch. Also has good hands and looks to be an explosive play makers type.
63 White OL Haven Hatfield Tuscola 2022- Another familiar camp name I've seen multiple times in person. Hatfield is just a fundamentally sound linemen who has added some size and good weight this off season. Is a bit of a tweener positionally but I see Hatfield becoming say an OC at the next level.
50 White OL Ian Mutchler Morton 2023- Good sized kid (6-foot-2, 260 pounds) who looked to have a non stop motor. Will be an interior OL at the college level and his combination of quickness, good strength, power and hands plus his overall balance and first step stood out here.
So Who Stood Out?
25 Blue RB Marco Maldonado Loyola (2022)- Maldonado was pretty solid here in drill and positional work and I was already impressed with him from the spring season. Maldonado was able to get some decent playing time in the spring and has good size and strength, runs hard and also showed some good burst and quick feet here.
12 Blue DB Omari Rhinehart Mundelein 2022- Pretty much an unknown in my eyes but Rhinehart has really good length, quickness and just was pretty fundamentally sound at this camp. Competed hard in what I thought was a very good DB group at this camp. Could play at the D2 level in my opinion.
52 Blue DL Tyler Wims Lemont 2022- I've seen Tyler a handful of times and he's just a hard nosed grinder type, goes hard in every rep and his combination of quickness, hands and power is always impressive.
1 White QB Colt Michael OFallon 2023- Liked his older brother Ty (McKendree) quite a bit and Colt will be another top name to watch over the next few years. Colt started at O'Fallon, transferred out in the fall to St Louis and has since returned to OFallon. Michael has an impressive arm, is comfortable inside and outside of the pocket and throws a very impressive ball with touch. Michael still has some weight and size to add but his upside is unquestioned in my eyes.
2 White QB Elijah Owens Jacksonville 2023- Another 2023 name to watch this fall. Owens also has good size, throws a really good and accurate ball and has the physical tools to develop into a nice dual threat quarterback. Look for Owens to also be in line for a big season this fall and will put up some strong numbers.
3 White RB James Williams Evergreen Park 2022- A really well put together running back (5-foot-9, 200 pounds) who showed to have some really impressive open field moves, good speed and really good feet. Williams at times put on a show in cat and mouse drills and I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this young man this fall.
0 White WR Antonio Winters OFallon 2022- Transferred in this summer to O'Fallon from Belleville West. Winters has good speed and quickness and was able to show well in one on ones. Has good body control and just showed to have a good feel for the position. Has a chance to put up some good numbers this fall in the Panthers offense.
83 White WR Allen Middleton Mascoutah 2022- Speedy receiver with really impressive hops and some quick twitch. Also has good hands and looks to be an explosive play makers type.
63 White OL Haven Hatfield Tuscola 2022- Another familiar camp name I've seen multiple times in person. Hatfield is just a fundamentally sound linemen who has added some size and good weight this off season. Is a bit of a tweener positionally but I see Hatfield becoming say an OC at the next level.
50 White OL Ian Mutchler Morton 2023- Good sized kid (6-foot-2, 260 pounds) who looked to have a non stop motor. Will be an interior OL at the college level and his combination of quickness, good strength, power and hands plus his overall balance and first step stood out here.
