This remains a work in progress so please no sharing until I'm done with the story.
Who Stood Out: Monday Session 1 2026
Who Stood Out: Monday Session 1 2027/2028/2029
In short, the Tuesday session of the NCC camp was easily the best overall talent, and quite possibly the deepest underclassmen talent I can remember at these events. I had more than a few college coaches tell me about my early prediction of the 2027 and 2028 class here in Illinois having the potential to be as strong as any classes I can remember...and this session is no question was a prime example A of that call.
I try my best to see all 400 plus kids at this event spread out over three separate fields (main stadium and practice fields) but I know going in this is an impossible task...yet I still try my best to see as much as possible. If you have a way of me getting to watch all 400 plus kids here please let me know and thanks.
See any name misspellings etc email me edgytim@edgytim.com or leave a message and I'll correct.
#2 QB Brady Varner Morris- Impressive overall testing numbers here along with showing off a strong and pretty accurate arm. Showed good speed in the testing/positional work phase of the camp.
#5 RB Patrick Connors Hinsdale Central Another kid who ran and tested pretty well here. Looked like a very strong and speedy overall athlete who's speed and testing numbers drew more college coaches looks here.
#6 DB Langston Smith St. Rita- Speedy defensive back who also made some nice plays in one on ones and positional work. Has a bit more room to add more weight and strength but has the frame to carry more good weight at the next level.
#13 LB Nathan Glauser Antioch Antioch had a few impressive kids here including Glauser who runs well, has pretty decent size (6-foot-3, 192 pounds) and was running well to the football and showed the ability to cover quite a bit of the field.
#18 WR Gavin Matejko St Charles East- Really good sized kid here (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) with length and reach who also ran and also tested well at this camp. Didn't get to see much in one on ones but I definitely will go back and look at his junior season video soon.
#19 WR Jacob Harvey Mt. Zion- A multi-year starter for the Braves who will again be in line for a big 2025 season in my opinion. Harvey has better than I expected size (6-foot-2, 188 pounds) and well above average hands and ball skills. I'm not quite sure why more schools haven't offered him just yet but his speed and athletic ability is pretty impressive here.
#19 WR Blake Lehnen Glenwood -Another downstate kid who I really was impressed with last season for the Titans. Lehnen runs well, has very good speed and change of direction and his hands are a real strength. Lehnen will be a terrific slot receiver and a special teams guy at the college level and is the younger brother of former Glenwood and North Central College All American QB Luke Lehnen FYI.
#20 RB Ben Bucher Belvidere North- Ben had a strong junior season and it's easy to see why he's one of the better players in the NIC-10. Bucher possesses an impressive combination of size (6-foot-1, 197 pounds) and speed and overall he tested very well at the camp. Surprised more schools aren't on him for now and he looks to have the potential to play a few different positions in college.
#22 WR Drake Harris Kenwood- An undersized player for sure (5-foot-6, 140 pounds) but his speed, wiggle and burst is fun to watch and in the right situation and system I can see Harris becoming a real threat in the open field.
#27 LB Brady Kozlowski Minooka Minooka linebacker is a multi-year starter who ran and tested well here. Kozlowski is a hard nosed hitter and finisher and while he might be a shade undersized for Power 4 schools I've been a big fan of Brady's overall game. It's a game that would play well at say the FCS/D2 level.
#28 LB Colton Benaitis Lockport - Has some D1 offers right now and it's easy to see why in my opinion. Colton has length (6-foot-2, 178 pounds) and a frame that will allow him to get bigger and stronger in college. Benaitis has good feel and ball instincts and the speed and quickness to be a plus defender in both run support and in the pass.
#30 LB Caden Considine Byron- Caden Considine is simply an ass kicking football player who looks in line for a big 2025 season in my opinion. Considine, who is the son of former Iowa/NFL great Sean Considine is another linebacker who's just a shade under what Power 4 schools look for at linebacker...yet his overall game, physical tools, football IQ and ability more than make up for his height.
#31 DB Quincy Blaise Naperville North- Was a pest in one on ones and his physical tools (6-foot-2, 170 pounds) really caught my eye here. Several FCS schools have stepped up after this camp and look for more schools to look harder at this kid this summer.
#33 LB Stephen Winkler Mount Carmel- Winkler is another hard nosed ass kicker at linebacker who's been just a highly productive player for the state champion Caravan. Winkler also in the 5-foot-11, 200 pounds range along with a handful of other impressive linebackers here, yet Winkler's overall speed and quickness along with his advanced read and reaction skills stood out here. Playing on a team loaded with major D1 talent...Winkler might just be one of the better overall players for the Caravan regardless of offers and status.
#36 FS Tommy Westrom Neuqua Valley- Another steady and strong overall player here. Westrom has been on my radar for a bit and he's been impressive the few times I've seen him over the last few seasons. Westrom has very good speed and quickness and he's also very strong in pass coverage and positional work here.
#39 SS Jason Hardy Fremd - Another senior name to watch who had a pretty solid overall camp performance. Hardy ran well and was able to get a ton of reps in and seems to get better as the day wore on.
#43 LB Aiden Wild Lena Winslow - Overall a pretty nice player and a small school name on the rise in my opinion. Wild played linebacker here and also played fullback and defensive end for Le Win last season. Has good size and overall was able to hang with a very good linebacker group here.
#46 LB Lesroy Tittle Batavia The former Nazareth Academy star is now at Batavia and his game has definitely brought his game along with him this summer. Tittle looks college ready physically, tested and ran well here and his overall combination of speed and explosiveness really stood out, Tittle has D1 level skills and abilities in my opinion.
#78 OL Culter Wyss Mundelein- A definite somewhat unknown who became a known at this camp. Wyss measured in at (6-foot-6, 324 pounds) and besides the obvious size, Cutler also moves pretty well for a bigger kid and the combination of physical tools and upside was impressive. Again in this recruiting climate not sure if the Power 4 or Group of 5 schools take a bite here....but Wyss is a name to watch over the next few weeks no question.
#80 TE Lucas Andresen Lincoln Way Central- Another player I'm very aware of this summer and Andresen will continue to draw various recruiting looks. Andresen has good size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) and also ran consistently well here. It's been a big time TE position in the 2026 class in Illinois and a handful of guys have gotten a bit overlooked...and put Andresen in this group no question.
#80 WR Oliver Thulin Downers Grove North -Steady ball player who just makes hard catches look easy and who is also a versatiler player and athlete. Looking for a yoiung man who could have a monster 2025 season? I got one for you right here.
#83 WR Craig Peacock Joliet Catholic- It's not easy being a receiver in the JCA offense that is generally run first and second. Yet Peacock is a speedy, explosive player and athlete who could play several positions if needed. Craig has always had good speed and that remains and I'm expecting more schools to take a look at him this fall.
#87 WR Jake Crestone Nazareth Academy- Added a handful of offers after this camp and in a recruiting climate where pretty much no one is offering anyone...,that says a lot in my book. Jake has been extremely productive at the high school level, has good to very good speed, ball skills and hands. Crestone to me has ideal high level FCS skills and abilities.
#90 DE Gavin Pecor Batavia- Hard nosed kid, really went hard in one on ones and just became a pest for opposing linemen here. Pecor has the look of an interior DL at the college levl and his overall hands and strength caught my attention here.
#94 DE Ian Campbell Joliet Catholic- Campbell, who was also playing baseball for JCA this spring is just a big, physical and talented player who moves well and again just does a lot of things well. Campbell has several FBS and FCS offers already and I can see him adding more good weight at the next level and staying inside, yet he's athletic enough to also play outside as well.
#97 DE Cody Moss Normal Community- Had a very good camp and also came away with a handful of offers. Moss is much more advanced physically, looks to have ideal height, weight and passes the all important eyeball test. Plays with a high motor and a bit of a chip in one on ones.
Next: Class of 2027/2028/2029 Top Performers
Who Stood Out: Monday Session 1 2026
Who Stood Out: Monday Session 1 2027/2028/2029
In short, the Tuesday session of the NCC camp was easily the best overall talent, and quite possibly the deepest underclassmen talent I can remember at these events. I had more than a few college coaches tell me about my early prediction of the 2027 and 2028 class here in Illinois having the potential to be as strong as any classes I can remember...and this session is no question was a prime example A of that call.
I try my best to see all 400 plus kids at this event spread out over three separate fields (main stadium and practice fields) but I know going in this is an impossible task...yet I still try my best to see as much as possible. If you have a way of me getting to watch all 400 plus kids here please let me know and thanks.
See any name misspellings etc email me edgytim@edgytim.com or leave a message and I'll correct.
#2 QB Brady Varner Morris- Impressive overall testing numbers here along with showing off a strong and pretty accurate arm. Showed good speed in the testing/positional work phase of the camp.
#5 RB Patrick Connors Hinsdale Central Another kid who ran and tested pretty well here. Looked like a very strong and speedy overall athlete who's speed and testing numbers drew more college coaches looks here.
#6 DB Langston Smith St. Rita- Speedy defensive back who also made some nice plays in one on ones and positional work. Has a bit more room to add more weight and strength but has the frame to carry more good weight at the next level.
#13 LB Nathan Glauser Antioch Antioch had a few impressive kids here including Glauser who runs well, has pretty decent size (6-foot-3, 192 pounds) and was running well to the football and showed the ability to cover quite a bit of the field.
#18 WR Gavin Matejko St Charles East- Really good sized kid here (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) with length and reach who also ran and also tested well at this camp. Didn't get to see much in one on ones but I definitely will go back and look at his junior season video soon.
#19 WR Jacob Harvey Mt. Zion- A multi-year starter for the Braves who will again be in line for a big 2025 season in my opinion. Harvey has better than I expected size (6-foot-2, 188 pounds) and well above average hands and ball skills. I'm not quite sure why more schools haven't offered him just yet but his speed and athletic ability is pretty impressive here.
#19 WR Blake Lehnen Glenwood -Another downstate kid who I really was impressed with last season for the Titans. Lehnen runs well, has very good speed and change of direction and his hands are a real strength. Lehnen will be a terrific slot receiver and a special teams guy at the college level and is the younger brother of former Glenwood and North Central College All American QB Luke Lehnen FYI.
#20 RB Ben Bucher Belvidere North- Ben had a strong junior season and it's easy to see why he's one of the better players in the NIC-10. Bucher possesses an impressive combination of size (6-foot-1, 197 pounds) and speed and overall he tested very well at the camp. Surprised more schools aren't on him for now and he looks to have the potential to play a few different positions in college.
#22 WR Drake Harris Kenwood- An undersized player for sure (5-foot-6, 140 pounds) but his speed, wiggle and burst is fun to watch and in the right situation and system I can see Harris becoming a real threat in the open field.
#27 LB Brady Kozlowski Minooka Minooka linebacker is a multi-year starter who ran and tested well here. Kozlowski is a hard nosed hitter and finisher and while he might be a shade undersized for Power 4 schools I've been a big fan of Brady's overall game. It's a game that would play well at say the FCS/D2 level.
#28 LB Colton Benaitis Lockport - Has some D1 offers right now and it's easy to see why in my opinion. Colton has length (6-foot-2, 178 pounds) and a frame that will allow him to get bigger and stronger in college. Benaitis has good feel and ball instincts and the speed and quickness to be a plus defender in both run support and in the pass.
#30 LB Caden Considine Byron- Caden Considine is simply an ass kicking football player who looks in line for a big 2025 season in my opinion. Considine, who is the son of former Iowa/NFL great Sean Considine is another linebacker who's just a shade under what Power 4 schools look for at linebacker...yet his overall game, physical tools, football IQ and ability more than make up for his height.
#31 DB Quincy Blaise Naperville North- Was a pest in one on ones and his physical tools (6-foot-2, 170 pounds) really caught my eye here. Several FCS schools have stepped up after this camp and look for more schools to look harder at this kid this summer.
#33 LB Stephen Winkler Mount Carmel- Winkler is another hard nosed ass kicker at linebacker who's been just a highly productive player for the state champion Caravan. Winkler also in the 5-foot-11, 200 pounds range along with a handful of other impressive linebackers here, yet Winkler's overall speed and quickness along with his advanced read and reaction skills stood out here. Playing on a team loaded with major D1 talent...Winkler might just be one of the better overall players for the Caravan regardless of offers and status.
#36 FS Tommy Westrom Neuqua Valley- Another steady and strong overall player here. Westrom has been on my radar for a bit and he's been impressive the few times I've seen him over the last few seasons. Westrom has very good speed and quickness and he's also very strong in pass coverage and positional work here.
#39 SS Jason Hardy Fremd - Another senior name to watch who had a pretty solid overall camp performance. Hardy ran well and was able to get a ton of reps in and seems to get better as the day wore on.
#43 LB Aiden Wild Lena Winslow - Overall a pretty nice player and a small school name on the rise in my opinion. Wild played linebacker here and also played fullback and defensive end for Le Win last season. Has good size and overall was able to hang with a very good linebacker group here.
#46 LB Lesroy Tittle Batavia The former Nazareth Academy star is now at Batavia and his game has definitely brought his game along with him this summer. Tittle looks college ready physically, tested and ran well here and his overall combination of speed and explosiveness really stood out, Tittle has D1 level skills and abilities in my opinion.
#78 OL Culter Wyss Mundelein- A definite somewhat unknown who became a known at this camp. Wyss measured in at (6-foot-6, 324 pounds) and besides the obvious size, Cutler also moves pretty well for a bigger kid and the combination of physical tools and upside was impressive. Again in this recruiting climate not sure if the Power 4 or Group of 5 schools take a bite here....but Wyss is a name to watch over the next few weeks no question.
#80 TE Lucas Andresen Lincoln Way Central- Another player I'm very aware of this summer and Andresen will continue to draw various recruiting looks. Andresen has good size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) and also ran consistently well here. It's been a big time TE position in the 2026 class in Illinois and a handful of guys have gotten a bit overlooked...and put Andresen in this group no question.
#80 WR Oliver Thulin Downers Grove North -Steady ball player who just makes hard catches look easy and who is also a versatiler player and athlete. Looking for a yoiung man who could have a monster 2025 season? I got one for you right here.
#83 WR Craig Peacock Joliet Catholic- It's not easy being a receiver in the JCA offense that is generally run first and second. Yet Peacock is a speedy, explosive player and athlete who could play several positions if needed. Craig has always had good speed and that remains and I'm expecting more schools to take a look at him this fall.
#87 WR Jake Crestone Nazareth Academy- Added a handful of offers after this camp and in a recruiting climate where pretty much no one is offering anyone...,that says a lot in my book. Jake has been extremely productive at the high school level, has good to very good speed, ball skills and hands. Crestone to me has ideal high level FCS skills and abilities.
#90 DE Gavin Pecor Batavia- Hard nosed kid, really went hard in one on ones and just became a pest for opposing linemen here. Pecor has the look of an interior DL at the college levl and his overall hands and strength caught my attention here.
#94 DE Ian Campbell Joliet Catholic- Campbell, who was also playing baseball for JCA this spring is just a big, physical and talented player who moves well and again just does a lot of things well. Campbell has several FBS and FCS offers already and I can see him adding more good weight at the next level and staying inside, yet he's athletic enough to also play outside as well.
#97 DE Cody Moss Normal Community- Had a very good camp and also came away with a handful of offers. Moss is much more advanced physically, looks to have ideal height, weight and passes the all important eyeball test. Plays with a high motor and a bit of a chip in one on ones.
Next: Class of 2027/2028/2029 Top Performers
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