Illinois All Off-Season Squad: 2nd Team Offense
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Overview This off-season I’ve been fortunate enough to attend numerous workouts, practices, camps & showcases to evaluate some of the most talented prospects in all of Illinois. During this time I’ve seen some of the biggest recruits in the state,…
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Continue ReadingOverview
This off-season I’ve been fortunate enough to attend numerous workouts, practices, camps & showcases to evaluate some of the most talented prospects in all of Illinois. During this time I’ve seen some of the biggest recruits in the state, who were very much on my radar beforehand. However, I’ve also seen a ton of hidden gem type prospects who I had no idea about and discovered because of these events. I went deep into my notes and gave you my top performers of this off-season. Here’s our complete 2nd Team Offensive Squad.
QB
Keegan Glover Keegan Glover 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Benton | 2022 State IL , Benton, 5’11, 165, JR
I’ve seen Keegan multiple times at camps this summer and he’s shown he’s not only a good quarterback but also a good athlete. He showed up at our camp and ran a 4.75 40 yard dash, which was among the best for quarterbacks that day. He was a star for Benton last fall as a sophomore finishing with a combined 30 touchdowns. He’s shown pinpoint accuracy during 1 on 1’s and that he’s got the arm to uncork the deep ball. A big junior season could be coming for this young man.
James Cooper, Harlem, 6′, 175, SR
I can’t help but feel like someone is going to get a steal with this guy. He’s produced in the previous three seasons as a varsity starter. On film, he’s a dual-threat quarterback prospect who can flourish in a spread offense. When I saw him in person I was impressed with how far his footwork in the pocket has come. He’s an accurate passer when throwing on the run and can make you pay when he takes off and run. He’s a very underrated prospect who deserves more attention than he’s getting.
RB
Josh Bridges Josh Bridges 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB St. Charles North | 2021 IL , 5’10, 185, St. Charles North, SR
I’ve seen Josh quite a bit this off-season and let me tell you this kid has Division I type speed. When I saw him at Legacy Sports Performance the pure burst and acceleration was evident throughout the workout. He’s a natural hands catcher out of the backfield who can get north and south quickly. I’m very interested to see his senior tape, as I think he may even have the potential to play slot the receiver at the next level. Regardless of where he plays, I think Bridge’s is positioning himself for a monster senior season.
Jacob DuRocher Jacob DuRocher 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Rochester | 2021 IL , 6′, 195, Rochester, SR
A stat-stuffing machine who all he’s done is produce for the rockets offense. I saw DuRocher for the first time at the Edgy Tim/EFT Showcase and immediately jumped in his corner after. This kid is a well-coached, do it all back who can get you the tough yards inside as well. He’s got clean cuts and runs behind his pads extremely well. His recruiting is yet to take off, but if he puts up similar numbers to last year it’s going to be hard for colleges to stay away.
WR
Ben Clawson Ben Clawson 6'0" | 190 lbs | WR Hersey | 2022 State IL , 6′, 190, Hersey, JR
This is one of the more polished wide receivers in the state and an absolutely dynamic return man. He was fantastic at our showcase and ran right by DB’s during 1 on 1’s. He catches the ball away from his body and can easily transition at the top of his route. He shows good speed and the ability to catch the football in traffic. I think when his recruiting wraps up, you’ll be looking at a Division I kid, as he posses most of the traits college coaches are looking for.
KeShon Singleton KeShon Singleton 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Sacred Heart-Griffin | 2023 State IL , 6′, 185, Sacred Heart-Griffin, SO
Singleton was not on many people’s radars and to be honest, I couldn’t even remember who I stumbled upon his film, but I’m glad I did. This young man has Power-Five potential and could develop into one of the elite recruits in the 2023 Class. He played on varsity as a freshman and from what I hear had quite a showing in the playoffs. He came to our camp and looked like a veteran, high pointing the football and plucking it out of the air. He can run all the routes on the route tree and can line up at any receiver position.
Dane Pardrige, 6′, 165, Marmion, JR
Dane is starting to gain some steam from a recruiting standpoint and I think the word is out on him. He’s a slasher out of the slot who understands how to set up defenders. Every time I see him in person, he’s dominant during 1 on 1’s. He shows great burst off the line and the ability to track the football in the air. He needs to continue to put on size, but from a route running perspective, it’s going to be hard to find a lot of guys much better.
TE
Jake Cicero Jake Cicero 6'5" | 245 lbs | TE Glenbard North | 2021 IL , Glenbard North, 6’5, 240, SR
Jake has the ideal size you look for in a tight end. To me, he’d fit great in a pro-style type offense with his hand in the dirt. He showed me that he can move well for a big man and can run adequate routes when split out. If he shows on film that he can line up in the slot and catch the ball like I’ve seen this off-season, more offers will be coming soon.
Anthony Cirrincione Anthony Cirrincione 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE South Elgin | 2021 IL , South Elgin, 6’5, 220, SR
Anthony’s stock is rising and it’s rising fast. He’s a fantastic route runner who can easily split out and cause a mismatch against linebackers. He’s got a frame he can easily add 30 pounds too and I think he’s got his best football ahead of him. Inline, he’ll do the dirty work as a blocker and will play to the whistle blows. I really like this kids upside and think he’s got a bright future ahead of him.
OL
Jacob Welch Jacob Welch 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL Johnsburg | 2023 State IL , Johnsburg, 6’5, 250, SO
I’ve seen Jacob at multiple camps this off-season and he’s so consistent for a young player. He’s got a smooth pass set and is patient against the rush. He moves well laterally and has some pop in his punch. He’ll be a four-year starter for Johnsburg and should be a Power-Five kid when it’s all said and done.
Luke Dalton Luke Dalton 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Marian Central Catholic | 2022 State IL , Marian Central Catholic, 6’5, 300, JR
This kid is put together now and shows a ton of upside. He’s got great size at 6’5, 300 and it’s good weight too. He started as a sophomore for Marian Central Catholic and was rock solid. He’s looked good the few times I saw him this summer and I think he’s poised for a big junior year. He’s got FBS type potential.
Thomas Hubbard Thomas Hubbard 6'4" | 260 lbs | OL Bartlett | 2022 State IL , Bartlett, 6’4, 250, JR
All I’ve seen from this kid is good footwork and fantastic hand placement when I’ve seen him in person. His sophomore film was very good, and all he’s done this off-season is work his tail off and has gotten even better. He’s got the chance to be one of Illinois’ top offensive linemen in the 2022 class. He’s got a great frame and will continue to put weight on.
Clayton Leonard Clayton Leonard 6'5" | 265 lbs | OL Iroquois West | 2022 State IL , Iroquois West, 6’5, 260, JR
Clayton sent me his film early this off-season and you could tell the talent was there. He had started on varsity as a freshman and was dominant. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL and missed his sophomore season. The kid felt like he had something to prove and proved a heck of a lot this off-season. In fact, he performed so well, that it led to a scholarship offer from Central Michigan. He was dominant at the LPI Showcase in July and I think he’ll have a very good junior film for colleges to evaluate.
ATH
Kevin Zimmer Kevin Zimmer 6'3" | 230 lbs | QB Sandburg | 2022 State IL , Carl Sandburg, 6’3, 233, JR
I’m so impressed by this kids ability to do whatever he’s asked. Zimmer has shown up at camps and played quarterback and tight end. He’s athletic for a big man and has a great frame that’s already pretty filled out. Despite playing quarterback as a sophomore, he looks like he’s a veteran running routes and can make you pay out of the slot. On film, he’s a tough runner who will lower shoulder to get the extra yards for his team. He doesn’t have any offers right now, but I think that could change quickly with another good season under his belt.