Rising 2023 Prospects
Year in and year out, Illinois is one of the more talent-rich states in the country, with prospects at every position heading to the Division I level. The 2023 class is no different. Prospects like T.J. McMillen T.J. McMillen 6'3"…
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Continue ReadingYear in and year out, Illinois is one of the more talent-rich states in the country, with prospects at every position heading to the Division I level. The 2023 class is no different. Prospects like T.J. McMillen T.J. McMillen 6'3" | 305 lbs | DL St. Francis | 2023 State IL , Miles McVay Miles McVay 6'7" | 345 lbs | OL East St. Louis | 2023 State IL , Carnell Tate Carnell Tate 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR IMG Academy | 2023 State FL , Andre Crews Andre Crews 5'9" | 175 lbs | ATH Simeon | 2023 State IL , Malik Elzy Malik Elzy 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR Simeon | 2023 State IL , and Austin Barrett Austin Barrett 6'6" | 265 lbs | OL St. Charles East | 2023 State IL have already seen garnered scholarship offers to play at the FBS level. These are the more recognizable names in the 2023 class in Illinois, but who are some guys we should watch for in the coming months? We took a look at some names that could take a big step forward this winter!
DL: Jayden Sutton Jayden Sutton 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL IC Catholic Prep | 2023 State IL , 6’2, 220, Immaculate Conception
Despite being a smaller school, Immaculate Conception consistently has Division I talent in each of their classes. Mr. Sutton right now leads the way in their 2023 class. On film, he shows adequate bend and strong hands at the point of attack. He has experience playing as a stand-up end & as a true hand in the dirt five-technique. He even played some offensive tackle and showed quick feet & the ability to retrace in pass protection. Sutton is still developing as a pass rusher, but on tape the potential is evident and I think he’s got a very bright future ahead of him.
OL: Jacob Klink Jacob Klink 6'4" | 380 lbs | OL Hononegah | 2023 State IL , 6’4, 325, Hononegah
This kid is huge and has overall solid athleticism for a guy his size. Klink started on varsity as a freshman and shined for Hononegah. He’s already shown the ability to work to the second level and can get out and lead the way in pulling schemes. Klink dominates with his hands and can get lockout at times on opposing defenders. Klink shows formidable knee drive and can force defenders off the ball. Right now, he has to work on bending at the knees and developing as a pass protector. If he continues to improve, this is a kid who will see his recruiting stock shoot up very soon.
OLB: JaMycheal Towns JaMycheal Towns 6'3" | 190 lbs | LB St. Rita | 2023 State IL , 6’2, 200, Bremen
Towns is a prospect who always seems to be around the football. On film, he shows sideline to sideline range and tremendous effort from his standup end position. He’s not afraid to hit you either and will speed his feet on contact like it’s second nature. He shows overall solid pass-rushing ability and is slippery when it comes to getting to the quarterback. Towns’ development over the next few seasons should be fun to watch. To me, he has a very high ceiling and has already shown he can produce on the varsity level. He should be a force for Bremen over the next three seasons as he continues to put on weight and strength.
DL: Jeh’Chys Brown Jeh’Chys Brown 6'3" | 265 lbs | DL Centralia | 2023 State IL , 6’2, 230, Centralia
Brown is a stud against the run and has no issues fighting off blocks to make a tackle for loss. He shows moments where he will drive an offensive lineman into the backfield and create chaos. He’s quick of the ball and will give people problems with his speed. Despite being only two hundred and thirty pounds, Brown is a talented offensive tackle as well. He can easily reach 5 techniques and can get out on the perimeter and block for his teammates. Centralia has a ton of hidden talent, but none more so than Mr. Brown.