24 for ’24: Breaking Down Illinois’ Stars of Tomorrow
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The prospects of Illinois’ C/O ’24 had to wait an extra seven months to play their first down of high school football due to the pandemic’s restrictions. Most of the prospects on this list were varsity contributors, and some even…
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Continue ReadingThe prospects of Illinois’ C/O ’24 had to wait an extra seven months to play their first down of high school football due to the pandemic’s restrictions. Most of the prospects on this list were varsity contributors, and some even walked away from the shortened season with multiple scholarship offers. But, Once they were able to take to the field, they hit the ground running and proved to us that the future is bright for Illinois high school football.
So without further ado, let’s get to know Illinois’ stars of tomorrow…
Antonio Russell Antonio Russell 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Eisenhower | 2024 State IL | WR | Eisenhower
He’s only played one season of high school ball, so you really can’t say he’s being slept on, but don’t be surprised when he explodes onto the scene out of nowhere. He’s a physically gifted receiver with great hands who, for his size, is pretty elusive with the ball in his hands. This kid is only going to get bigger and better and after speaking with his coach, he told me that “Antonio loves to play football,” so you know the work ethic is there. Keep some tabs on this kid; he’s a special player in the making.
Edward Kentra Edward Kentra 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Hinsdale Central | 2024 IL | DL | Hinsdale Central
Flashes some ability to get off the ball quickly and has a knack for getting pressure on the quarterback. He has a pretty nice bullrush that will only become more effective as he adds strength and fills out his frame.
Walker Owens Walker Owens 6'2" | 200 lbs | RB Wheaton North | 2024 IL | RB/LB| Wheaton North
Owens was a man amongst boys for the entire 5 minutes and 52 seconds of his highlight tape. He’s a persistent runner who’s a load to bring down; shows good vision with his ability to cut back and find the open running lane. Has impressive size (6’1″ 170lbs) as he enters his sophomore year, and although he’s pretty good on the offensive side of the ball, I think his future has OLB written all over it.
Domenic Beres Domenic Beres 5'10" | 195 lbs | LB St. Francis | 2024 IL | ATH | St. Francis
We’re going to be hearing a lot about this kid over the next few years, and for good reason. This kid lit it up on varsity as a freshman and apparently had no trouble adjusting to the pace. In addition, he has a unique skill set in that he’s able to play some defensive back but is also physical enough to play some linebacker and get to the quarterback, and not to mention he’s as sure of a tackler as they come.
Gabe Cherwin | QB | Rolling Meadows
Looks very comfortable and confident in the pocket and doesn’t allow the opposing defense to speed him up. You can tell he’s putting in the work to perfect his craft because he’s already displaying the necessary fundamentals you need to play the quarterback position at this stage of his development. Has good footwork and good hip placement and throws a catchable ball.
I’Marion Stewart I’Marion Stewart 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Kenwood Academy | 2024 State IL | ATH | Bolingbrook
The Brook has been known to produce some talented prospects, and Stewart is next in line after a solid freshman season on varsity, earning multiple P5 offers. He’s a sure-handed, playmaking receiver who can be equally effective in the slot or out wide and is dangerous if you get him in space. He also helps in the run game with his willingness to block—a star in the making who will be a treat to watch over the next few years.
Darrion Dupree Darrion Dupree 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Mount Carmel | 2024 State IL | RB | Mount Carmel (Chicago)
A naturally gifted runner of the football with the instincts and vision to gash up a defense. An extremely hard runner with great size who keeps his legs churning to fight for extra yardage and consistently finishes off runs. Possesses the speed to take it the distance. Without a doubt will be one of the top running backs in his class when it’s all said and done.
Chris Durr Chris Durr 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Morgan Park | 2024 State IL Jr. | ATH | Morgan Park
Durr spent his freshman season on varsity and is another one of Morgan Park’s talented and young athletes who are on schedule to be special. At his age, he’s a superb route-runner with swift feet, which allow him to create a ton of separation on his routes; not to mention, he possesses the speed to run by you, and from a defensive perspective, he’s more than capable of covering the filed from sideline-to-sideline.
Diego Gutierrez Diego Gutierrez 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Riverside Brookfield | 2024 IL | QB | Riverside Brookfield
Gutierrez is an up-and-coming prospect you’re going to want to keep your eyes on over the next few years. At this stage in his development, he flashes the requisite athleticism and mechanics required to play the quarterback position at a high level. His feet are set before the ball leaves his hands, so he’s throwing an accurate pass more times than none. Great at improvising and extending plays and possesses the arm strength and touch to make various throws.
Noah Pfafflin Noah Pfafflin 6'2" | 185 lbs | LB Lyons Township | 2024 State IL | WR | Lyons
I recently saw Noah at our PRZ Indiana/Illinois showcase, and he’s definitely as good as advertised. Already has impressive size with a ton of time left to grow, can be a matchup nightmare for defensive backs in the red zone. Flashes a good set of hands and has a knack for getting open with his ability to run crisp and precise routes. What jumps out when watching the freshman standout is his ability to highpoint and adjust to the ball while it’s in the air. Pfafflin is easily considered one of the top receivers in his class.
Aric Johnson Aric Johnson 6'0" | 190 lbs | WR Kaneland | 2024 State IL | WR | Kaneland
Johnson was a varsity contributor who earned all-conference honors as a freshman. He’s an electric receiver with big-play capability who excels as a deep threat and return specialist. Johnson is also a creative runner who for his size, has good quickness and escapability.
Eddie Tuerk Eddie Tuerk 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Lyons Township | 2024 State IL | DL | Lyons
Tuerk already has impressive size and has some nice speed to go with it. Possesses the size and strength to overpower defenders, but after watching him last month at our PRZ IN/IL showcase, he’s just as effective when he uses his skill and technique to gain the advantage against his matchup.
Alonzo Manning Alonzo Manning 5'5" | 160 lbs | RB Mount Carmel | 2024 State IL | ATH | Marist
I saw Manning about a month ago at our PRZ IN/IL showcase and I was intrigued with the speed and quicks this kid is equipped with; simply put, he’s a blur on the field. His ability to change direction without losing speed is a thing of beauty, and he has a nice set of hands out the backfield.
Maurice Densmore | WR | Flossmoor
Densmore doesn’t have much game film yet, but I did get a chance to watch some of his 7-on-7 and camp film, and I like what I saw from the wideout from Flossmoor. Extremely confident and has the skills to go with it. Has a lighting quick release off the line and is prone to making a spectacular catch or two; Definitely a player you’ll want to have on your radar moving forward.
Jaylan Madison Jaylan Madison 5'9" | 175 lbs | QB Proviso East | 2024 IL | QB | Phillips
Madison, just like everyone else on this list is still very early in his development. Still, his tape proves he has the necessary tools to develop into a solid dual-threat quarterback over the next few years. He throws a pretty good ball but where he excels is when he decides to scramble and escape the pocket—a good runner with the capability of extending plays to find the open man.
Jakell Hill | RB | Bradley-Bourbonnais
Hill is a no-nonsense N/S type of back who can surprise you with his sneaky-quick feet. He’s a load to bring down once he gets downhill and can be your team’s go-to back when in need of short-yardage. He’s also a physical blocker that takes pride in the task. The future is bright for the Bradley-Bourbonnais backfield.
Blayne Sisson Blayne Sisson 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL | ATH | Mount Carmel
After watching this kid play it’s still hard to believe that he was only a freshman this season. Sisson did just about everything on the field and did so at a high level on varsity. He returns kickoffs for touchdowns, is a threat to beat defensive backs deep, is a sure tackler, and he’s also is a sticky defensive back that’ll pick your quarterback off in the blink of an eye. Sisson possesses game-changing ability and is definitely a prospect you’re going to want to keep an eye on over the next few years.
Matt Larson | RB | Glenbard East
Larson is your prototypical scatback who’s extremely elusive and tough to bring down in space. His impressive ability to cut laterally, coupled with his speed and quickness make him a threat to go the distance whenever the ball is in his hands.
Marquise Aaron Marquise Aaron 5'6" | 170 lbs | RB Bradley Bourbonnais | 2024 IL | RB | Bradley-Bourbonnais
I think Aaron can be one of the more special running backs in the state depending on how he develops over the next few years. He’s an outstanding power runner with enough speed to take it the distance. He’s light on his feet and at times looks like he’s floating out there on the field. Flashes good vision and cutback ability and already makes good use of the stiff arm.
Jedidiah Adjayi Jedidiah Adjayi 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Evergreen Park | 2024 IL | RB | Evergreen Park
Ajayi’s running style is that of a seasoned vet, so one can only imagine the type of damage he will cause over the next few years. He’s a patient runner who flashes good acceleration when a lane opens. Has superb contact balance which can sometimes be the difference between a short and long run. Adds value to his team with his ability to be an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Dominik Ball Dominik Ball 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Palatine | 2024 State IL | RB | Palatine
Ball already has the ideal frame to be an every-down back. He’s a supreme athlete with home-run speed to generate long gains. Runs well between the tackles and is even more dangerous in space; boasts great instincts along with good vision of the field. Has the potential to emerge as one of the top prospects in this class.
Alessio Milivojevic Alessio Milivojevic 6'1" | 205 lbs | QB St. Francis | 2024 State IL | QB | St. Francis
You won’t be able to replace what Tommy Rittenhouse Tommy Rittenhouse 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB St. Francis | 2021 IL brought to the quarterback position at St. Francis, but it helps with the transition when his replacement is as talented as Milivojevic is. I think St. Francis is in good shape moving forward because this kid has a big arm and plays the position well beyond his years. Displays nice touch on his passes and is deadly accurate in his delivery and can even tuck and run if need be.
Tysean Griffin Tysean Griffin 5'11" | 165 lbs | ATH Morgan Park | 2024 State IL | ATH | Morgan Park
Speed kills, and Griffin has a lot of it! He moves effortlessly on the field and it’s scary to think he has three more seasons to put it all together. I got a chance to see him in person this season and I was blown away by what he was able to accomplish at his age on both sides of the ball. I watched him more than hold his own against an upperclassman who’s classified as a 3-star receiver. Although his frame doesn’t suggest it, he’s a pretty good tackler who’s not at all afraid to mix it up in run support. On offense, he’s used in a variety of ways, but all Morgan Park really has to do is get the ball in his hands and watch him go because he’s simply a blur on the field. Griffin already has multiple P5 offers and could very well be one of the most sought-after prospects out of Chicago’s Public League.
Other 2024 prospects to keep an eye on:
Jacob Sullivan | QB | South Elgin
Troyer Carlson Troyer Carlson 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Kaneland | 2024 State IL | QB | Kaneland
Charles Miles | WR | TF-South
Casey Giemzik Casey Giemzik 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Brother Rice | 2024 IL | QB | Brother Rice
Nas King | DL/OL | Peoria
Cam Williams Cam Williams 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Glenbard South | 2024 State IL | WR | Glenbard South