Tuesday was the first day of an open NCAA recruiting period so I figured why not head out to a college camp.....NIU was hosing it's smaller NIU Passing Academy camp on Tuesday night and overall this was a lower number of campers but the overall talent level was very high. The camp featured several NIU recruiting targets at only the QB/WR positions but as mentioned several top notch signal callers and receivers took part in this camp. The camp was again well run and well organized at NIU, the kids had a facility tour met the coaches then went out to the field and got in positional drill work. Below are some of the top names who I felt stood out at this camp. (The camp also featured some 2021 PWO candidates but my focus was on the 2022 and younger group here).
Again I can't thank NIU and head coach Thomas Hammock enough for the hospitality and for allowing me full access at this event.
Who Stood Out?
DeKalb 2022 WR Toriano Tate- Tate is an obvious local kid who also has some upside and could be a potential next up offer type for the NIU Huskies. Tate has very good speed and quickness, shows some burst and wiggle in positional drill work and also showed good hands here. I can see NIU also take a look at Tate as either a DB or slot type but for now I feel he's more of an FCS level for now. Tate's overall size and potential to get bigger and stronger at the next level is a factor from keeping a school ;like NIU from extending an early offer.
Marmion Academy 2022 WR Dane Partridge- I've seen Partridge a handful of times lately in person and he's a very consistent performer who has some speed/quickness and who will also test well at these settings. Partridge is also getting looks from the FBS level and it makes a lot of sense...Partridge has very good speed and quickness and just does a lot well here. Partridge also falls into the same category as several other receivers here...he's a very solid FCS level talent who's overall size and potential to gain more good weight and strength is the only real issue/question mark I can see in his overall recruiting stock.
New Trier 2022 QB Nevan Cremascoli- The quarterbacks always have a rough road to adding offers, and the best way to get looks and real exposure is hitting these type of one day camps. Cremascoli impressed me this spring with his arm, approach and his overall game and I felt Nevan was also one of the most consistent passer at this camp in my opinion. Cremascoli was able to make all the required throws, was very consistent all day and is just a very impressive kid physically as well as with his overall tools and fundamentals. I'm not sure if any QB's will add an NIU offer after this camp, but I'm willing to bet Cremascoli is in the discussions.
Joliet Central 2023 QB Carl Bew- This kid from Joliet Central is another name I've seen a few times. Joliet Central isn't exactly known as a football producing program, yet Bew is no question a name to keep an eye on over the next year plus. Bew has good size and is a strong all around athlete who just does some things pretty well in the camp setting. Just a 2023 kid, I'm definitely going to keep an eye on Bew over the next year plus.
St Charles East 2022 QB Nathan Hayes- A very strong athlete who also just does a lot well here. Hayes has really good size (6-foot-4, 190 pounds?) and is a big strong thrower who also has plenty of arm and also the ability to use his ability to run the football as a real plus. Hayes overall physical tools are no question intriguing for NIU and others MAC level schools. Hayes was also to make all the required throws, showed good consistent accuracy and was a plus performer in my eyes here.
Wheaton Academy 2022 QB David Dorn- Dorn is another gun slinger in the 2022 class who has a lot to offer, mainly in his very strong and very accurate arm. In many ways I felt Dorn was one of the most consistently strong passer at this camp and his overall arm talent seems to get better and better each time I see him. Dorn's overall size and height will be an issue for the FBS/FCS schools, yet his ability and upside is really impressive and in many ways someone could land a really talented kid here in Dorn. Getting in front of the right coaches will be a huge deal for Dorn this summer.
Maine South 2022 QB Rowan Keefe- Keefe has been waiting his turn to run the Maine South offense and did well with limited varsity reps in the spring. Keefe is still growing and has the frame and size that will allow him to keep adding more weight and size at the college level and Keefe is far from college ready physically. Keefe throws a very good football, was pretty consistent overall and did nothing but help his overall stock this summer after this camp. Keefe can hang and throw it with the best in this class on many levels.
Dyett 2022 WR Caylon Hall-Rattler- Another under the radar name who will end up drawing more looks and potential offers. Hall-Rattler is an interesting name to watch who has really impressive size and physical tools. Hall-Rattler is in many ways still a very raw player who has a lot to learn and improve this summer and beyond....but Hall-Rattler's overall size and tools will no question draw him some additional looks and attention this summer.
Glenbard South 2024 WR Cam Williams- Wow. Williams, who played at Montini last spring and who has since transferred to Glenbard South was easily one of the most impressive athletes and receiver at this camp who I feel has Power 5 level skills and potential down the line. Williams ran and tested very well at this camp, he opened up a lot of eyes with his speed and overall athletic tools as well. Williams still has work to do including improving his route running, finishing off his routes stronger and working on improving his hands. Yet when it's all said and down....I stand by my earlier claim that Williams has the potential to develop into a Power 5 name down the road. No question this is an exciting name on the rise in the 2024 camp.
Naperville North 2022 WR Zeke Williams- Another very familiar name on the camp circuit. Williams really stood out to me in positional drill work and showed his impressive quick feet and change of direction. Williams also has very good hands and just had a very solid overall camp performance here.
Metea Valley 2022 WR Jalen K Johnson - Johnson is already committed to NIU so this was more of a workout for him. Johnson also didn't so much testing because he's in the middle of his track season. Regardless, Johnson has a ton of upside and I still believe he's a real steal for the NIU Huskies. Johnson has tremendous size and length, an impressive catch radium along with impressive speed and down field gears. Johnson also has the overall frame and the look of a name who will add even more good weight and size at the next level. Johnson could end up becoming a major impact player for NIU in a few years and his overall growth and upside potential is real.
Lincoln Way East 2022 WR Trey Johnson What you see is what you get with Trey Johnson...which is a very high level athlete with good hands, speed and good strength and what I really like about Johnson is he's simply a very good overall football player. I can see Johns0on getting looks at WR or say even at RB and he has the physical tools to become versatile if/when needed.
Moline 2022 WR/S Matthew Bailey- I was really interested to see Bailey in person on the hoof this summer and he did not disappoint. Bailey has really good size (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) and length and has the overall tools and ability to play either receive or say safety at the FB S level. Bailey ran well, is a very fluid athlete with good strength. Bailey was also able to run strong routes, showed really strong hands and I feel has the potential to become a mid FBS level player in college.
Hoffman Estates 2022 WR Jashawn Johnson- very quick and twitchy athlete here who was also strong in the testing phase. Johnson also showed good hands and change of direction in positional drill work. Johnson to me looks to be a slot back type at the college level who possesses a lot of real positives in his game. Johnson's overall size and potential to get bigger/stronger at the next level will be the biggest question on him this summer but I can see him becoming a very strong FCS lwevel name and game breaking type of slot. .
Nazareth Academy 2022 WR Quentrell Harris - Harris could of very well been the top overall receiver at this camp in my opinion. Harris has really good size (listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds but I say he's bigger/stronger now), has added more good weight and strength and has excellent speed, ball skills and instincts. Harris also is just a blur to watch in footwork drills and I loved how hard Harris runs his routes and also knows how to finish his routes. Harris is a FBS level name in my opinion and I would be surprised if NIU doesn't offer Harris after this camp.
Again I can't thank NIU and head coach Thomas Hammock enough for the hospitality and for allowing me full access at this event.
Who Stood Out?
DeKalb 2022 WR Toriano Tate- Tate is an obvious local kid who also has some upside and could be a potential next up offer type for the NIU Huskies. Tate has very good speed and quickness, shows some burst and wiggle in positional drill work and also showed good hands here. I can see NIU also take a look at Tate as either a DB or slot type but for now I feel he's more of an FCS level for now. Tate's overall size and potential to get bigger and stronger at the next level is a factor from keeping a school ;like NIU from extending an early offer.
Marmion Academy 2022 WR Dane Partridge- I've seen Partridge a handful of times lately in person and he's a very consistent performer who has some speed/quickness and who will also test well at these settings. Partridge is also getting looks from the FBS level and it makes a lot of sense...Partridge has very good speed and quickness and just does a lot well here. Partridge also falls into the same category as several other receivers here...he's a very solid FCS level talent who's overall size and potential to gain more good weight and strength is the only real issue/question mark I can see in his overall recruiting stock.
New Trier 2022 QB Nevan Cremascoli- The quarterbacks always have a rough road to adding offers, and the best way to get looks and real exposure is hitting these type of one day camps. Cremascoli impressed me this spring with his arm, approach and his overall game and I felt Nevan was also one of the most consistent passer at this camp in my opinion. Cremascoli was able to make all the required throws, was very consistent all day and is just a very impressive kid physically as well as with his overall tools and fundamentals. I'm not sure if any QB's will add an NIU offer after this camp, but I'm willing to bet Cremascoli is in the discussions.
Joliet Central 2023 QB Carl Bew- This kid from Joliet Central is another name I've seen a few times. Joliet Central isn't exactly known as a football producing program, yet Bew is no question a name to keep an eye on over the next year plus. Bew has good size and is a strong all around athlete who just does some things pretty well in the camp setting. Just a 2023 kid, I'm definitely going to keep an eye on Bew over the next year plus.
St Charles East 2022 QB Nathan Hayes- A very strong athlete who also just does a lot well here. Hayes has really good size (6-foot-4, 190 pounds?) and is a big strong thrower who also has plenty of arm and also the ability to use his ability to run the football as a real plus. Hayes overall physical tools are no question intriguing for NIU and others MAC level schools. Hayes was also to make all the required throws, showed good consistent accuracy and was a plus performer in my eyes here.
Wheaton Academy 2022 QB David Dorn- Dorn is another gun slinger in the 2022 class who has a lot to offer, mainly in his very strong and very accurate arm. In many ways I felt Dorn was one of the most consistently strong passer at this camp and his overall arm talent seems to get better and better each time I see him. Dorn's overall size and height will be an issue for the FBS/FCS schools, yet his ability and upside is really impressive and in many ways someone could land a really talented kid here in Dorn. Getting in front of the right coaches will be a huge deal for Dorn this summer.
Maine South 2022 QB Rowan Keefe- Keefe has been waiting his turn to run the Maine South offense and did well with limited varsity reps in the spring. Keefe is still growing and has the frame and size that will allow him to keep adding more weight and size at the college level and Keefe is far from college ready physically. Keefe throws a very good football, was pretty consistent overall and did nothing but help his overall stock this summer after this camp. Keefe can hang and throw it with the best in this class on many levels.
Dyett 2022 WR Caylon Hall-Rattler- Another under the radar name who will end up drawing more looks and potential offers. Hall-Rattler is an interesting name to watch who has really impressive size and physical tools. Hall-Rattler is in many ways still a very raw player who has a lot to learn and improve this summer and beyond....but Hall-Rattler's overall size and tools will no question draw him some additional looks and attention this summer.
Glenbard South 2024 WR Cam Williams- Wow. Williams, who played at Montini last spring and who has since transferred to Glenbard South was easily one of the most impressive athletes and receiver at this camp who I feel has Power 5 level skills and potential down the line. Williams ran and tested very well at this camp, he opened up a lot of eyes with his speed and overall athletic tools as well. Williams still has work to do including improving his route running, finishing off his routes stronger and working on improving his hands. Yet when it's all said and down....I stand by my earlier claim that Williams has the potential to develop into a Power 5 name down the road. No question this is an exciting name on the rise in the 2024 camp.
Naperville North 2022 WR Zeke Williams- Another very familiar name on the camp circuit. Williams really stood out to me in positional drill work and showed his impressive quick feet and change of direction. Williams also has very good hands and just had a very solid overall camp performance here.
Metea Valley 2022 WR Jalen K Johnson - Johnson is already committed to NIU so this was more of a workout for him. Johnson also didn't so much testing because he's in the middle of his track season. Regardless, Johnson has a ton of upside and I still believe he's a real steal for the NIU Huskies. Johnson has tremendous size and length, an impressive catch radium along with impressive speed and down field gears. Johnson also has the overall frame and the look of a name who will add even more good weight and size at the next level. Johnson could end up becoming a major impact player for NIU in a few years and his overall growth and upside potential is real.
Lincoln Way East 2022 WR Trey Johnson What you see is what you get with Trey Johnson...which is a very high level athlete with good hands, speed and good strength and what I really like about Johnson is he's simply a very good overall football player. I can see Johns0on getting looks at WR or say even at RB and he has the physical tools to become versatile if/when needed.
Moline 2022 WR/S Matthew Bailey- I was really interested to see Bailey in person on the hoof this summer and he did not disappoint. Bailey has really good size (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) and length and has the overall tools and ability to play either receive or say safety at the FB S level. Bailey ran well, is a very fluid athlete with good strength. Bailey was also able to run strong routes, showed really strong hands and I feel has the potential to become a mid FBS level player in college.
Hoffman Estates 2022 WR Jashawn Johnson- very quick and twitchy athlete here who was also strong in the testing phase. Johnson also showed good hands and change of direction in positional drill work. Johnson to me looks to be a slot back type at the college level who possesses a lot of real positives in his game. Johnson's overall size and potential to get bigger/stronger at the next level will be the biggest question on him this summer but I can see him becoming a very strong FCS lwevel name and game breaking type of slot. .
Nazareth Academy 2022 WR Quentrell Harris - Harris could of very well been the top overall receiver at this camp in my opinion. Harris has really good size (listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds but I say he's bigger/stronger now), has added more good weight and strength and has excellent speed, ball skills and instincts. Harris also is just a blur to watch in footwork drills and I loved how hard Harris runs his routes and also knows how to finish his routes. Harris is a FBS level name in my opinion and I would be surprised if NIU doesn't offer Harris after this camp.
