Illinois Film Analysis: Trenches edition (Class 2022-2024)
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Today, I decided to make a film analysis that centers around the trenches of football! In this article, I have 9 players below that all play football in the state of Illinois and are a part of football classes 2022-2024.…
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Continue ReadingToday, I decided to make a film analysis that centers around the trenches of football! In this article, I have 9 players below that all play football in the state of Illinois and are a part of football classes 2022-2024. The film collected and scouted were sent to me on twitter either by the players below, their football coach, or were players on my radar from camps that are going on this summer. If this is your first film analysis, I spend time going through each of the athletes’ Hudl accounts and then provide a scouting report of the strongest traits I believe each player has that will be illustrated in camps this summer, along with the upcoming season! For any athletes looking to have their film reviewed, or know anyone who would like to, and be included in the next article please feel free to send it to myself on Twitter at @_D3BO while tagging @PrepRedzoneIL! If you play high school football in Illinois, or anywhere else you qualify! I will make each analysis on a state by state basis, so stay put if you send me film and are not from Illinois. There will be many scouting reports for every class level and state. Enjoy!
Matt Kingsbury: DE- St Rita (2023)
Matt Kingsbury belongs to the class of 2023, and I’m surprised there’s not more buzz about him. This guy is a MENACE on the field! This comes from his strong pursuit on the ball, active hands, and flexibility of where he plays on the D-Line. Analyzing his film, his coaches had him line up in a 1 tech, 3 tech, and 5/7 tech. He made highlights at all over the front 7 in the pass and run game. There are two plays that I think show the type of player Matt is. He had one in which he forces a fumble in the run game, and then another where he hawks down a ball carrier off of pursuit down the field. These are key characteristics that you want in any defender, but especially on your line. As a sophomore playing on varsity, it will do you well to remember the name, and see what he does with continued varsity snaps this fall at St. Rita. Make sure to take a look here!
Eddie Tuerk Eddie Tuerk 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Lyons Township | 2024 State IL : DE – Lyons Township (2024)
Eddie Tuerk Eddie Tuerk 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Lyons Township | 2024 State IL is a 6’4” 240 freshman who took varsity snaps for his team this year. In his film, he almost exclusively lined up as a 5-tech defensive end. He plays with a low center of gravity, and a great level of patience. Eddie exhibits multiple plays where he seems to trust his technique while playing in the trenches. He does a great job stone walling blocks and playing his gaps. Coming off of a Covid-19 offseason and having his first snaps of high school being varsity football, its impressive of what he was able to put together. I will be interested to see how he further refines his technique and adds more of a pass rush game. Watch Eddie’s film here!
Yaser Al-Awadi Yaser Al-Awadi 6'8" | 290 lbs | OL Maine East | 2022 State IL : OT – Maine East Highschool (2022)
I think Yaser may be the biggest high school prospect I have covered on a height to weight basis. Yaser towers at 6’8” 320 pounds and plays the offensive tackle position. In his film, majority of his snaps are on the blindside, but there are also some snaps taken from the RT position as well. There were two main takeaways that I took from watching Yaser’s film. The first one is that I don’t know if there are up to 5 players in the Midwest who can bulrush him. In pass protection, he absorbs contact so well. It leads to defensive players having to be brought to a standstill, and then restart their pass rushing move. Usually by the time all that is accomplished, the play has already progressed to where it needs to be. The second thing that stood out to me was his nasty streak. He has no problem getting physical with the defense all the way through the whistle…. There’s actually a play where a defensive player throws a punch at him, and he decleats the player then runs back to his own teammates. You can watch Yaser here!
Michael Barretto Michael Barretto 6'2" | 260 lbs | OL Taft | 2023 State IL : OG/DL – Taft Highschool (2023)
Mike Barretto is an ATH for Taft high school in Chicago. He plays both Offensive guard, and along the D-line. Most of his snaps come from the offensive side of the ball on his film, and I can say that I am a fan of his play style! Mike is built at a solid 6’2” 260 and plays with a strong conviction. His wrestling backround is apparent in his film, as he plays with a low pad level no matter the situation. This use of leverage gives him the upper hand when he engages on either side of the ball. Being a sophomore, he never quits. Being around sports, someone with that state of mind who plays both ways in the trenches is an attribute that cannot be over looked. With the next 2 years available for Mike to continue to sharpen his footwork and technique, he will be a prospect I will continue to watch. His progression could lead to him getting offers on both sides of the ball. Watch Mike’s Sophomore season tape here!
Nick Perry Nick Perry 6'2" | 290 lbs | OL Morris | 2023 State IL : C/G/DT – Morris Community Highschool (2023)
Nick Perry Nick Perry 6'2" | 290 lbs | OL Morris | 2023 State IL was someone whose film was sent to me a couple days before releasing this analysis. I am glad to have had the time to include him as one of the true centers I’ve gotten to look at! Nick is listed at playing Center, Guard, and DT for Morris Community Highschool. In his film, he takes majority of his snaps at center. At 6’2” 290, he’s a lot to handle for any defender. He runs his feet and doesn’t give up against anyone. His snaps are sharp and accurate as well. Being in the class of 2023, Nick’s best football is on the way this fall. It will be something to watch this fall, where Nick focuses most of his snaps for Morris. Watch his film here!
Andrew Laurich Andrew Laurich 6'5" | 250 lbs | DL Yorkville | 2023 State IL : DE/LS – Yorkville Highschool (2023)
Standing at 6’4” 240 pounds, Andrew Laurich Andrew Laurich 6'5" | 250 lbs | DL Yorkville | 2023 State IL is a beast! He plays a true rush end position at the 5/6 technique and had a great spring season playing as a sophomore on varsity. He has great instincts off the line of scrimmage, and his long arm was problematic for offensive lines. One clip that stood out to me, is how he uses his shoulder with his legs continuing to move. I don’t know if it was a technique taught to him, or something he naturally does on the field. Andrew also has reps/film at long snapper. He has a good delivery time and gave the punter an easy ball to punt. The impact he made as a sophomore on varsity was only flashes of what’s to come this fall. Keep Andrew Laurich Andrew Laurich 6'5" | 250 lbs | DL Yorkville | 2023 State IL on your radar this fall for sure! Do yourself a favor and watch his film here!
Josh Janowski: OT/OG – Lincoln Way East (2024)
Josh Janowski is an offensive lineman who belongs to the class of 2024. Although he may be considered a young kid, he already stands at 6’3” 235 pounds. We can only expect this frame to get bigger with a full football offseason and camp session. Josh’s film deemed impressive. Majority of his snaps were lined up at LT, but he took an ample amount of snaps at RT and guard. This versatility will prove beneficial for his football team now, and at the next level. What you’ll see in his film that stood out the most, was his ability to finish plays! He literally benches kids into the ground with strong hands and a stable base. He highlights his ability to run block and get out in space to pick up defenders on screen plays. This is a kid who’s name you need to keep in your head, as it’s expected he will start taking varsity reps this fall. Watch his film here!
Cole Silzer Cole Silzer 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Lockport | 2022 State IL : DE – Lockport Township Highschool (2022)
Cole Silzer Cole Silzer 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Lockport | 2022 State IL is a 5-technique defensive end that plays for Lockport Township high school. He’s listed at 6’3” 245, but on tape and in person he looks bigger. Cole put together a solid product in his 6 games this spring. He illustrates gap control in the run game, strong hands, and the ability to manipulate the weight of offensive lineman. Cole does a great job with setting up distributing his weight on the Offensive tackle and then spinning to make plays inside the box. His motor in the run game was one that was evidently on display and a great help for the Lockport porters. With the college visits that he’s been making, don’t be surprised for Cole to start piling in offers and having his best season this fall. Check the Lockport porter out!
Joshua Sander: OT – Hinsdale South Highschool (2022)
Hinsdale South Highschool has a juggernaut at Left Tackle. His name is Joshua Sander, and he will be a name that will continue to build some steam in recruiting. At his size of 6’6” 325, Joshua has good lateral foot movement in pass protection when locking on to blocks. In run blocking, you can tell that he takes great pride in destroying the competition. There are many plays in his film of him running players into the ground while down blocking. Some to the point of borderline holding. You know what they say about great lineman though.. you’re technique is great when it looks like you’re on the gray line of holding! I enjoyed watching Joshua’s tape, and recruiters would be wise and get a leg up on him before his offers start really coming in. Take a look here!