The Stage: Who Stood Out Part 1
215 DB Jayden McMiller Providenc3 Catholic 2027- Very young athlete here who showed some quick twitch. Fluid runner and strong athlete who just plays like an upperclassmen and made some really nice plays in one on ones. Name to watch for sure in the Class of 2027.
216 QB Matthew Lee Loyola Academy 2028- No question Lee is on his way to becoming an elite level quarterback in the Class of 2028. Lee has great size (6-foot-3, 187 pounds) and his overall technique, physical tools and knowledge of the position at this age is way off the charts. It's just a matter of time before this kid in a nationally sought after name.
221 DL Charlie Ploder Barrington 2026- Decent sized DE (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) who made some plays in one on ones and who looks versatile enough to play end or tackle when needed. Good motor her as well.
228 LB Joey Villa Glenbard South 2025- Joey impressed me earlier this month at the West Suburban Showcase and he also did well at The Stage. Villa has good height/length and the frame to allow him to add a bit more strength down the line. Ran/tested well here.
229 LB Luke Nelson Stevenson 2025 Multi-positional talent who is just a very solid overall athlete and football player here. I can see Nelson getting looks this summer at LB/S and his overall speed and strong testing numbers really caught my eye this time around on Nelson.
238 DT Jarve Bey Homewood Floosmoor 2025- Another camp regular who just shows up and more often than not shows out. Impressive interior DL who also has high level technique along with very strong hands and plays highly physical at all times. I project Bey as a FBS/Group of 5 level prospect.
244 QB Callahan Roper Marion 2026-Downstate QB who did some nice things here in positional work. Pointed out by the coaches for his hustle and adjusting to coaching quickly. Will be a two year starting QB in 2024 for the Wildcats.
247 WR DeAndre Coates Lincoln Way West 2025- Coats is already holding a handful of FBS/FCS offers. Has good size (6-foot-1, 187 pounds) and is just physically advanced. Made some nice plays in traffic and was also able to show good hands and body control.
254 DL Derrick Weems Amundsen 2025- Checked in at 6-foot-1, 292 pounds and showed his best in one on ones. Has very good strength and plays with a mean streak.
258 QB Nick Peipert Barrington 2025- I've been a big fan of Nick Peipert since last season. Peipert is another higher level talent who is part of a very good and a very deep QB class in Illinois in 2025. Peipert I projected earlier this year as a FBS/high FCS caliber quarterback and again in most any other year....he could have much bigger D1 attention. I can also see some higher D1 schools look at Peipert as a possible PWO route.
273 Nick Manzardo Naperville North 2025- Has really good hands and runs consistently good routes. Checked in at nearly 6-foot-1, 185 pounds and is in line for a big 2024 season. Very strong player and leader here.
274 DL Charles Wahtola DePaul Prep 2027- A young pup who still has a lot of growing left to do, but was impressive at times in positional work and one on ones.
275 DL Dylan Coe Mundelein 2025- Another name I had zero knowledge of before this camp. Has great size (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) and has the potential to develop into a nice sleeper name this spring and summer. One day camps will be BIG here.
279 DB Jermaine Erving Jr. Morgan Park 2025- The Morgan Park secondary really was impressive at this camp and Erving Jr. was part of that impressive group. Lots of speed and quickness here and Erving Jr. showed some quick twitch along with just possessing great closing speed and awareness.
281 WR Lincoln Ijams Oswego East 2026 I also saw Lincoln earlier this spring and liked what I saw from him. Ijams has the look and feel of a strong slot receiver type who has the overall speed and quickness to be a hard player to cover down in and down out.
283 WR Charlie Cruse Downers Grove North 2025 Big, strong kid who has added more good weight and strength this off season. Looks more and more to me like more of a safety/OLB.....but his receiver skills including his hands are also higher level. Big summer ahead for Cruse.
287 DB Amahri Tyler Morgan Park 2025 Once again another member of the Morgan Park secondary who was strong here and who also just made play after play and took as many reps as possible.
292 TE Gavin Mueller St Francis 2026- I raved about Gavin at the Naperville North West Suburban Showcase and he's quickly on his way to Power 4 Offer Town in my opinion. Mueller has the size and physical tools already (6-foot-5, 235 pounds) and just showed incredible hands and ball skills...not bad for a kid who's never plays a down of high school football so far. I project Mueller to become a Power 4 level recruit.
294 LB Jack Burzynski Barrington 2025 Great overall size/length at nearly 6-foot-4, 205 pounds and a kid who has the frame to add much more weight and strength down the line. Higher level colleges want to see a bit more in game film here, but Jack's ability and potential are much higher than he's currently drawing attention from in my opinion.
295 OL Luca Siamashvili Stevenson 2025 Big dude here who measured in at nearly 6-foot-6, 331 pounds and at times was really impressive in one on ones. Luca has good strength and greatly improved his overall pass pro, technique and overall fundamentals. While Luca still need to get his weight down a bit, I can also see schools keeping a bit quiet for now on this kid but then coming back to him later this fall. I feel Luca has FBS/FCS level talent and ability.
297 QB Jack Reilly St Francis 2025 Again St Francis has an epic QB battle on this summer and Jack Reilly is squarely in the hunt for the starting job. Reilly has a ton to offer including a strong and accurate arm, good overall size and strength and he's also fundamentally strong. Yet another really strong QB in the 2025 class who in most other years would already be holding offers.
305 DB Seth Valeri St Francis 2025 I've seen/evaluate Seth a few times now. Valeri is holding a handful of FBS/FCS offers and he's a higher level athlete with good size (6-foot-0, 180 pounds) and cover skills.
312 DL Robert Grant III Wheaton Academy 2025- Was just a pain in the butt to block in one on ones and who also just went hard here all night.
313 ATH Paris Johnson Bradley 2028- An eight grader who is heading to Bradley for high school....Johnosn is a name to watch here. Showed very good speed and quickness, already has some quick twitch and can play any number of positions down the line a bit.
315 DB Kendall Griffin Morgan Park 2026- One of several impressive kids from the Morgan Park secondary. Kendall has good size (5-foot-10, 197 pounds) who also runs well, was very strong in one on one coverage and was able to disrupt play after play.
317 WR Jordan McKinley Loyola Academy 2028- Another eight grader who listed Loyola as his HS. Measured in at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and is physically way ahead of the curve at this early stage. His ball skills and potential is really, really impressive.
322 DB Quince Shearer Morgan Park 2025 Again the Mustangs secondary group including Quince just was impressive here and all had a nice showing.
332 QB Ethan Plumb St Charles North 2025- I just don't get it. Plumb in my eyes has it all. Great size (6-foot=3, 201 pounds), a strong and accurate arm along with a confidence and a maturity you look for in a high level quarterback. Some school is going to land a big time sleeper here in Ethan Plumb. I can also see Plumb as a candidate to go say the PWO route at the Power 4 level and find his way into a depth chart and an eventual scholarship.
335 WR Blaise LaVista Libertyville 2026- Overall just a very good receiver and football player who just keeps getting bigger, stronger and faster every time I see him. I would project LaVista right now as a FBS level prospect with the potential to develop into say a possible Power 4 name down the line.
215 DB Jayden McMiller Providenc3 Catholic 2027- Very young athlete here who showed some quick twitch. Fluid runner and strong athlete who just plays like an upperclassmen and made some really nice plays in one on ones. Name to watch for sure in the Class of 2027.
216 QB Matthew Lee Loyola Academy 2028- No question Lee is on his way to becoming an elite level quarterback in the Class of 2028. Lee has great size (6-foot-3, 187 pounds) and his overall technique, physical tools and knowledge of the position at this age is way off the charts. It's just a matter of time before this kid in a nationally sought after name.
221 DL Charlie Ploder Barrington 2026- Decent sized DE (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) who made some plays in one on ones and who looks versatile enough to play end or tackle when needed. Good motor her as well.
228 LB Joey Villa Glenbard South 2025- Joey impressed me earlier this month at the West Suburban Showcase and he also did well at The Stage. Villa has good height/length and the frame to allow him to add a bit more strength down the line. Ran/tested well here.
229 LB Luke Nelson Stevenson 2025 Multi-positional talent who is just a very solid overall athlete and football player here. I can see Nelson getting looks this summer at LB/S and his overall speed and strong testing numbers really caught my eye this time around on Nelson.
238 DT Jarve Bey Homewood Floosmoor 2025- Another camp regular who just shows up and more often than not shows out. Impressive interior DL who also has high level technique along with very strong hands and plays highly physical at all times. I project Bey as a FBS/Group of 5 level prospect.
244 QB Callahan Roper Marion 2026-Downstate QB who did some nice things here in positional work. Pointed out by the coaches for his hustle and adjusting to coaching quickly. Will be a two year starting QB in 2024 for the Wildcats.
247 WR DeAndre Coates Lincoln Way West 2025- Coats is already holding a handful of FBS/FCS offers. Has good size (6-foot-1, 187 pounds) and is just physically advanced. Made some nice plays in traffic and was also able to show good hands and body control.
254 DL Derrick Weems Amundsen 2025- Checked in at 6-foot-1, 292 pounds and showed his best in one on ones. Has very good strength and plays with a mean streak.
258 QB Nick Peipert Barrington 2025- I've been a big fan of Nick Peipert since last season. Peipert is another higher level talent who is part of a very good and a very deep QB class in Illinois in 2025. Peipert I projected earlier this year as a FBS/high FCS caliber quarterback and again in most any other year....he could have much bigger D1 attention. I can also see some higher D1 schools look at Peipert as a possible PWO route.
273 Nick Manzardo Naperville North 2025- Has really good hands and runs consistently good routes. Checked in at nearly 6-foot-1, 185 pounds and is in line for a big 2024 season. Very strong player and leader here.
274 DL Charles Wahtola DePaul Prep 2027- A young pup who still has a lot of growing left to do, but was impressive at times in positional work and one on ones.
275 DL Dylan Coe Mundelein 2025- Another name I had zero knowledge of before this camp. Has great size (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) and has the potential to develop into a nice sleeper name this spring and summer. One day camps will be BIG here.
279 DB Jermaine Erving Jr. Morgan Park 2025- The Morgan Park secondary really was impressive at this camp and Erving Jr. was part of that impressive group. Lots of speed and quickness here and Erving Jr. showed some quick twitch along with just possessing great closing speed and awareness.
281 WR Lincoln Ijams Oswego East 2026 I also saw Lincoln earlier this spring and liked what I saw from him. Ijams has the look and feel of a strong slot receiver type who has the overall speed and quickness to be a hard player to cover down in and down out.
283 WR Charlie Cruse Downers Grove North 2025 Big, strong kid who has added more good weight and strength this off season. Looks more and more to me like more of a safety/OLB.....but his receiver skills including his hands are also higher level. Big summer ahead for Cruse.
287 DB Amahri Tyler Morgan Park 2025 Once again another member of the Morgan Park secondary who was strong here and who also just made play after play and took as many reps as possible.
292 TE Gavin Mueller St Francis 2026- I raved about Gavin at the Naperville North West Suburban Showcase and he's quickly on his way to Power 4 Offer Town in my opinion. Mueller has the size and physical tools already (6-foot-5, 235 pounds) and just showed incredible hands and ball skills...not bad for a kid who's never plays a down of high school football so far. I project Mueller to become a Power 4 level recruit.
294 LB Jack Burzynski Barrington 2025 Great overall size/length at nearly 6-foot-4, 205 pounds and a kid who has the frame to add much more weight and strength down the line. Higher level colleges want to see a bit more in game film here, but Jack's ability and potential are much higher than he's currently drawing attention from in my opinion.
295 OL Luca Siamashvili Stevenson 2025 Big dude here who measured in at nearly 6-foot-6, 331 pounds and at times was really impressive in one on ones. Luca has good strength and greatly improved his overall pass pro, technique and overall fundamentals. While Luca still need to get his weight down a bit, I can also see schools keeping a bit quiet for now on this kid but then coming back to him later this fall. I feel Luca has FBS/FCS level talent and ability.
297 QB Jack Reilly St Francis 2025 Again St Francis has an epic QB battle on this summer and Jack Reilly is squarely in the hunt for the starting job. Reilly has a ton to offer including a strong and accurate arm, good overall size and strength and he's also fundamentally strong. Yet another really strong QB in the 2025 class who in most other years would already be holding offers.
305 DB Seth Valeri St Francis 2025 I've seen/evaluate Seth a few times now. Valeri is holding a handful of FBS/FCS offers and he's a higher level athlete with good size (6-foot-0, 180 pounds) and cover skills.
312 DL Robert Grant III Wheaton Academy 2025- Was just a pain in the butt to block in one on ones and who also just went hard here all night.
313 ATH Paris Johnson Bradley 2028- An eight grader who is heading to Bradley for high school....Johnosn is a name to watch here. Showed very good speed and quickness, already has some quick twitch and can play any number of positions down the line a bit.
315 DB Kendall Griffin Morgan Park 2026- One of several impressive kids from the Morgan Park secondary. Kendall has good size (5-foot-10, 197 pounds) who also runs well, was very strong in one on one coverage and was able to disrupt play after play.
317 WR Jordan McKinley Loyola Academy 2028- Another eight grader who listed Loyola as his HS. Measured in at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and is physically way ahead of the curve at this early stage. His ball skills and potential is really, really impressive.
322 DB Quince Shearer Morgan Park 2025 Again the Mustangs secondary group including Quince just was impressive here and all had a nice showing.
332 QB Ethan Plumb St Charles North 2025- I just don't get it. Plumb in my eyes has it all. Great size (6-foot=3, 201 pounds), a strong and accurate arm along with a confidence and a maturity you look for in a high level quarterback. Some school is going to land a big time sleeper here in Ethan Plumb. I can also see Plumb as a candidate to go say the PWO route at the Power 4 level and find his way into a depth chart and an eventual scholarship.
335 WR Blaise LaVista Libertyville 2026- Overall just a very good receiver and football player who just keeps getting bigger, stronger and faster every time I see him. I would project LaVista right now as a FBS level prospect with the potential to develop into say a possible Power 4 name down the line.
