Underclassmen varsity performers: ‘23 & ‘24 WR’s & TE’s

The season has come and gone in Illinois and with such a short season, and subsequent turnaround, it was imperative that teams got their youngster feet wet. Recently, I went to Twitter to find more players from the 2023 and 2024 classes that got varsity action this spring. When they hit the field this early in their high school careers, schools at the next level have no choice but to play attention. I’ve already looked at the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/05/underclassmen-varsity-performers-23-24-quarterbacks/">quarterbacks</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/05/underclassmen-varsity-performers-23-24-running-backs/">running backs</a> and now it’s the pass catchers turn. 2023 Simeon WR [player_tooltip player_id="20843" first="Malik" last="Elzy"] (6’3” and 198lbs) @elzy_malik A absolute monster of a frame for such a young player, Elzy isn’t just an imposing figure (look above), he’s a big time play maker. Already holding numerous P5 offers, the skill set is one of the best in the state. He’s long and athletic, has plenty of speed to stretch the defense and the hands to make plays in tight spaces. Elzy’s big body allows him to go over the middle and make difficult catches, defenders seem to bounce off him. Hands down one of the best players at any position in his class. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-157644" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/0D17FC83-BA21-49F0-A6A8-4C3584EEF267-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Kenwood WR [player_tooltip player_id="139450" first="Logan" last="Lester"] (6’3” and 198lbs) @Loganlester_8 When you hear about a receiver who plays basketball on grass, a picture of Lester should be next to the description. His long frame lets him high point the ball while still having the balance to come down and keep getting YAC. Right now Lester uses his athletic ability to beat defenders, so he’ll need to work on his route tree, but he’s a big time threat with a 9 route or a slant. Almost unstoppable due to his jumping ability. He’s getting D1 interest and the offers should start to pour in. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147561" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/744EF90D-4EA2-4D85-BBD8-3ABAEBE9D184-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Lyons Township WR [player_tooltip player_id="119388" first="Noah" last="Pfafflin"] (6’2” and 175lbs) @noahpfafflin Highlight catches all over the field, especially in the redzone. Difficult catches don’t seem that way when Pfafflin makes it look so easy. He high points the ball, comes back to help his quarterback and uses his hands extremely well. What is also impressive is at this junction, Pfafflin can run a variety of routes, he’s pretty polished in that respect. He’s going to blow up soon, you can mark that one down. 2023 Montini Catholic WR/DB Mingo Nixon (6’2” and 160lbs) @NixonMingo What stands out is that Nixon takes blocking seriously, he’s physical at the point of attack and doesn’t let up. He’s got a very good frame and will continue to add weight and strength, so his blocking will only improve as he gets older. Nixon also is willing to go over the middle of the field and has the hands to hold onto the ball even when he takes a hard hit. He runs a very good 10-yard out, coming back to the ball to make the catch. Nixon has a great base heading into his junior year. 2023 Waubonsie Valley WR Luke Pettaway (6’1” and 170lbs) @LukePettaway Good size and route running ability, his strong hands help make difficult catches, rarely letting the ball get to his body. Pettaway is always looking to turn up field after he makes a catch, he’s got very good vision once he does. A solid blocker as well, Pettaway isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. If he’s able to turn a solid sophomore year in to a big junior year, watch out. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147560" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/0FEBF6C2-E0B7-47E7-965F-9009C6FDBB68-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Nequa Valley WR [player_tooltip player_id="131532" first="Grant" last="Larkin"] (6’ and 175lbs) @GrantLarkin1 Versatility is what makes Larkin’s game so impressive, he is able to make plays a variety of ways including jet sweeps, reverses and trick plays. He’s a very technical route running who can make the difficult catches anywhere on the field. Larkin’s catch radius is impressive, his got great body control. When teams try and confuse him with disguising coverages, Larkin is able to read the defense, especially good at finding soft spots in zone coverage. Once he makes the catch, he’s very explosive. A big time prospect who’s got a high ceiling. 2024 Kaneland WR [player_tooltip player_id="130200" first="Aric" last="Johnson"] (6’ and 180lbs) @aj_4king Another player with impressive versatility, Johnson line’s up all over, in the backfield, out wide and even returning punts. He’s a big play waiting to happen and uses his impressive hands to make plays when the ball gets to him. It’s tough to say what position Johnson will end up playing at the next level, but either way, I’d like to have him on my offense. 2024 Belleville West WR Xavier Martin (5’6” and 155lbs) @0n1yZ A bit on the smaller side, you wouldn’t know that by how Martin plays the game. He is not afraid to go over the middle to make a catch, and get his hands dirty while blocking. It’s very good start to his high school career but I still need to see a bit more. He will need to work on his balance and hands, but I still like the trajectory that Martin is headed. 2023 Sacred-Heart WR [player_tooltip player_id="65872" first="KeShon" last="Singleton"] (6’2” and 185lbs) @KeShon_2023 Extremely strong for his age, Singleton uses it to his advantage. He’s very good in and out of his breaks, deadly running a 10-yard slant as he uses his body to shield off defenders. If given a free release, Singleton will find and open space against the defense. A very good blocker on screen plays, there’s a lot to like about this rising junior. 2024 Bolingbrook WR I’Marion Stewart (6’ and 160lbs) @IMarion_Stewart Already holding a handful of P5 offers, it’s easy to see why Stewart has garnered so much interest after an extremely impressive freshman season. He’s got big time explosiveness, breakaway speed, great hands and knack for making big plays. The frame is great for his age, Stewart will continue to add on good weight as he gets older. He’s an advanced route runner, his pacing on routes to create separation is so impressive. I’m extremely excited to see what kind of player Stewart turns out to be. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147564" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/23C8E70D-2403-4DD6-ADF7-BACB410AAB2A-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Morgan Park WR Chris Durr (5’11” and 160lbs) @ChrisdurrJR1 On the slighter side but loaded with talent, Durr is yet another underclassman that shows an impressive route tree. He can run a variety of routes, but what separates him from others is his footwork off the line. Durr’s footwork creates space for him to run clean routes and then he uses his good hands to make plays. His frame will fill out over high school and he’ll just continue to improve due to his work ethic. 2023 Palatine TE Nate Branch (6’2” and 215lbs) @NateBranch810 A good guy to target, due to his longer arms, Branch got on the field early due to another aspect of this game, blocking. He’s a devastating blocker from multiple positions, out wide, as an inline TE or H-back. Branch finishes like a lineman and will just become a better blocker as he gets older. A solid receiving target as well, the Pirates offense should be one of the best in the state this coming fall, in part due to Branch’s talents. 2023 Warren Township TE/LB Justin Kretz (6’1” and 200lbs) @jkretz1921 Although he’s not the prototypical size for a tight end, Kretz makes up for it in a multitude of ways. Blocking is something he takes seriously, routinely finishing off defenders and creating holes for his running backs. Kretz is a very good pass catcher also, he’s a big time threat in that area. He’s got very good instincts and recognition, especially against a zone. He just has a knack for finding holes against zones. A dual-sport athlete, baseball, Kretz is in line for a big junior year. 2023 Downers Grove South WR/TE Brandon Amaniampong (6’5” and 210lbs) @BrandonAmaniam1 A massive target who is long and athletic, but still has plenty of room to continue to add on good weight. I placed him with the tight end group for a reason, I feel like he will grow into one. He’s got a great feel for blocking, once Amaniampong gets his hands on a defenders, they get taken out of the play. As for the passing game, he’s not the fastest but there’s enough speed with a position change to make a difference. It’s his frame that stands out there, using his long arms to high-point balls over defenders. I’m interested to see how he progresses, if he can add on speed, Amaniampong could ultimately stay out wide.