This annual event was held again at College of Dupage on Tuesday night and one of the many reasons my partners and I like this camp is that it's held in the middle of the spring evaluation period. College coaches from the FCS level and below are allowed to attend and we had our biggest turnout of coaches so far with over 50 coaches representing 35 schools. The overall numbers also set a new high mark (roughly 250 kids) and overall the weather was ideal.
Once again for the record...let me clarify for all here. I try to watch and see as many kids as I can at these showcase and camp events....but I've yet to be able to find a way to watch 250 plus kids in one spot at one time...and I can and will miss seeing some additional top names...but I'll keep trying my best to see as many kids as possible. Also when your name is on the billing it pulls me away in a million different directions at times. I rely pretty heavily on feedback from my positional coaches and media aka people who I trust here along with my own in person evals. I've said this before and will again....the hardest thing for me to do is get a really good feel on the top kids at this event when I'm not 100 percent locked into it for multiple reasons. I will always do my best in these situations.
So Who Stood Out The Quarterbacks
#504 QB Brady Palmer St. Francis 2026- This was my first time seeing Brady Palmer throw in person and he was really impressive here. Palmer has a terrific arm and touch, has good overall sizxe and will continue to get bigger and stronger over the next few years. Palmer has a chance to develop into a major name to watch over the next few seasons and his makeup, physical upside and potential is really strong for a younger kid here.
#505 QB Nate Lang Lisle 2027- Another young kid with really good size and physical tools. Lang threw the ball pretty well, showed decent accuracy and touch and was noted by a few of the coaches as one of the better overall performers who picked up on instruction quickly.
#506 QB Jack DiFillppis Maine South 2025- Yet another highly polished quarterbacks from the Maine South offensive factory. DiFillppis has an impressive arm, was strong in both drill work and in one on ones and just has a high knowledge level.
#509 QB Michael Champagne Glenbard South 2024- I've been watching Michael since he was in grade school and his game has done nothing but get better every time I see him live. Champagne, who added an offer from this camp from UW Platteville just does a lot of things well, has legit arm strength and touch and just always put the football where it needs to be and on time as well regardless of who's catching the football.
#511 QB Matthew Lee Loyola Academy 2027- Another young talented signal caller at such a young age. Lee has been sneaking into my camps a few different times now and the only way you can tell he's a younger guy is his face and he still looks like a young guy. Otherwise? Lee has impressive size, height and just does everything well throwing the football in this camp. Is as polished and as calm under duress as any QB at this camp.
#901 QB Matthew Plumb St Charles North 2026- Matthew is the younger brother of Ethan Plumb and the question I'ver had since seeing the Plumb brothers at a Throw It Deep passing session as grade schoolers is what will STCN do with two high level quarterbacks? Matthew has so many similar tools and attributes as hif older brother whiloe also beinbg a year younger. Has a real chance to become a highly sought after name in the Class of 2026 both regionally and nationally.
#902 QB Ethan Plumb St. Charles North 2025- It's time. It's time for Ethan Plumb to let his game and his ability shine this fall. Ethan is bigger, stronger and just more physically ready and in my opinion has Power 5 ability. Plumb had some ups and down in 2022, had to battle a senior all season long for playing time and that lesson and growth from it should benefit him this fall. I'm excited to see his early season video this fall....along with pretty much every college coach as well.
#907 QB Jack Elliott Chicago Mt. Carmel 2025- Another impressive quarterback who really just needs to be full time in the starters seat this fall. Elliott did see some decent playing time last year so he's not totally green.....and his overall arm, touch and feel along with being a very accurate passer who will also be a big time threat as well with the run when needed. Has a chance to become a big time player and recruit for the next two seasons.
#908 QB Arthur Palicki Willowbrook 2024- Palicki remains a bit of a mystery to me and in my opinion this is a quarterback with a ton of upside and potential who is still available. Palicki has impressive major level sixe, throws a good football and can make all the throws. Palicki also has cut some with this off season, looks leaner and quicker with an eye at becoming much more mobile this fall. Palicki has a chance to become a real steal this summer and I still feel would be a monster get for the FCS level.
#915 QB Jacob Bell Naperville North 2025- Another 2025 QB who has everything in order and all he really needs is full time action under center. Jacob Bell is a physically advanced quarterback and athlete who has a great arm with touch, tested well and is a high D1 level athlete in my opinion. This was the first time I was really able to watch and zero in on Jacob Bell in person and he will be the second straight Power 5 quarterback out of Naperville North.
#917 QB Patrick Heneghan New Trier 2024- Very solid quarterback and player here. Patrick is just does a lot of things well here including being able to get rid of the football quickly while also making good throws and ball placement.
#920 QB Diego Gutierrez Riverside-Brookfield 2024- Diego is another kid who has been on the camp circuit for quite some time. Gutierrez has gotten bigger and stronger especially over the past year, he already had a lot to offer as a passer and it sure looks like it's all coming together for him. I have no dounbt he will be playing next fall on Saturday.
Next: Running Backs and Tight Ends
Once again for the record...let me clarify for all here. I try to watch and see as many kids as I can at these showcase and camp events....but I've yet to be able to find a way to watch 250 plus kids in one spot at one time...and I can and will miss seeing some additional top names...but I'll keep trying my best to see as many kids as possible. Also when your name is on the billing it pulls me away in a million different directions at times. I rely pretty heavily on feedback from my positional coaches and media aka people who I trust here along with my own in person evals. I've said this before and will again....the hardest thing for me to do is get a really good feel on the top kids at this event when I'm not 100 percent locked into it for multiple reasons. I will always do my best in these situations.
So Who Stood Out The Quarterbacks
#504 QB Brady Palmer St. Francis 2026- This was my first time seeing Brady Palmer throw in person and he was really impressive here. Palmer has a terrific arm and touch, has good overall sizxe and will continue to get bigger and stronger over the next few years. Palmer has a chance to develop into a major name to watch over the next few seasons and his makeup, physical upside and potential is really strong for a younger kid here.
#505 QB Nate Lang Lisle 2027- Another young kid with really good size and physical tools. Lang threw the ball pretty well, showed decent accuracy and touch and was noted by a few of the coaches as one of the better overall performers who picked up on instruction quickly.
#506 QB Jack DiFillppis Maine South 2025- Yet another highly polished quarterbacks from the Maine South offensive factory. DiFillppis has an impressive arm, was strong in both drill work and in one on ones and just has a high knowledge level.
#509 QB Michael Champagne Glenbard South 2024- I've been watching Michael since he was in grade school and his game has done nothing but get better every time I see him live. Champagne, who added an offer from this camp from UW Platteville just does a lot of things well, has legit arm strength and touch and just always put the football where it needs to be and on time as well regardless of who's catching the football.
#511 QB Matthew Lee Loyola Academy 2027- Another young talented signal caller at such a young age. Lee has been sneaking into my camps a few different times now and the only way you can tell he's a younger guy is his face and he still looks like a young guy. Otherwise? Lee has impressive size, height and just does everything well throwing the football in this camp. Is as polished and as calm under duress as any QB at this camp.
#901 QB Matthew Plumb St Charles North 2026- Matthew is the younger brother of Ethan Plumb and the question I'ver had since seeing the Plumb brothers at a Throw It Deep passing session as grade schoolers is what will STCN do with two high level quarterbacks? Matthew has so many similar tools and attributes as hif older brother whiloe also beinbg a year younger. Has a real chance to become a highly sought after name in the Class of 2026 both regionally and nationally.
#902 QB Ethan Plumb St. Charles North 2025- It's time. It's time for Ethan Plumb to let his game and his ability shine this fall. Ethan is bigger, stronger and just more physically ready and in my opinion has Power 5 ability. Plumb had some ups and down in 2022, had to battle a senior all season long for playing time and that lesson and growth from it should benefit him this fall. I'm excited to see his early season video this fall....along with pretty much every college coach as well.
#907 QB Jack Elliott Chicago Mt. Carmel 2025- Another impressive quarterback who really just needs to be full time in the starters seat this fall. Elliott did see some decent playing time last year so he's not totally green.....and his overall arm, touch and feel along with being a very accurate passer who will also be a big time threat as well with the run when needed. Has a chance to become a big time player and recruit for the next two seasons.
#908 QB Arthur Palicki Willowbrook 2024- Palicki remains a bit of a mystery to me and in my opinion this is a quarterback with a ton of upside and potential who is still available. Palicki has impressive major level sixe, throws a good football and can make all the throws. Palicki also has cut some with this off season, looks leaner and quicker with an eye at becoming much more mobile this fall. Palicki has a chance to become a real steal this summer and I still feel would be a monster get for the FCS level.
#915 QB Jacob Bell Naperville North 2025- Another 2025 QB who has everything in order and all he really needs is full time action under center. Jacob Bell is a physically advanced quarterback and athlete who has a great arm with touch, tested well and is a high D1 level athlete in my opinion. This was the first time I was really able to watch and zero in on Jacob Bell in person and he will be the second straight Power 5 quarterback out of Naperville North.
#917 QB Patrick Heneghan New Trier 2024- Very solid quarterback and player here. Patrick is just does a lot of things well here including being able to get rid of the football quickly while also making good throws and ball placement.
#920 QB Diego Gutierrez Riverside-Brookfield 2024- Diego is another kid who has been on the camp circuit for quite some time. Gutierrez has gotten bigger and stronger especially over the past year, he already had a lot to offer as a passer and it sure looks like it's all coming together for him. I have no dounbt he will be playing next fall on Saturday.
Next: Running Backs and Tight Ends
