22′ Rankings: New Additions Still Available Pt. 2
We’ve published our final version of the Class of 2022 Rankings here for Illinois totaling over 600 student athletes across ALL of IL (8A down to 1A Football). With this being the senior class and their recruiting process coming to…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve published our final version of the Class of 2022 Rankings here for Illinois totaling over 600 student athletes across ALL of IL (8A down to 1A Football). With this being the senior class and their recruiting process coming to an end here shortly we’re going to be diving into New Additions Still Available in this three part series to give them exposure as they try to find a place to call home. Without further ado, let’s dive into New Additions Still Available Part Two.
Jordan Skolmar Jordan Skolmar 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Stevenson | 2022 State IL Twitter
Mr. Skolmar was a new name to me this fall season and if you watch his film, he doesn’t disappoint. What stands out to me about this young man is how he’s used in both offensive attacks through the ground game as well as the air attack and is used as a return man as well. While he didn’t post any crazy numbers this fall, he did make his impact felt through all four quarters. Once he secures the handoff, he burst through the line of scrimmage and keeps his feet driving breaking weak arm tackles in the process where he can break big runs. As he’s in open space, he weaves in and out of defenders as well as showcases his elusiveness making defenders miss with quick cuts. He has the vision to find cutback lanes where he’ll use a one cut and go to hit it hard when the defense over pursues. In the air attack, he can catch out of the backfield and upon securing the catch gets vertical. I could potentially see him turning into a slot receiver at the next level either full time or in certain packages to create a mismatch against an outside linebacker. In my eyes, he’s a D2/NAIA potential prospect if they’d want to develop his skill set further over the next few seasons and are enticed by his versatility. If not, he’ll most likely drop to the D3/JUCO level where whichever program that picks him up would be getting one heck of a versatile player. Highlights
Kamal Mukarram Kamal Mukarram 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Lincoln Way East | 2022 State IL Twitter
Mr. Mukarram is a new name to me heading into the fall season and he didn’t disappoint showcasing his skill set as he deserves a spot in our rankings. This ball hawking safety is all over the field making plays in both pass defense as well as in run support, both of which he uses his good eyes to diagnose the play quickly before taking good breaks on the ball. This puts him in a position to make a play on the ball, which is exactly what he does using his smooth and fluid transitions as well as his fluid flip of the hips. In both man coverage as well as in zone coverage, he can reach quickly off tipped passes to secure interceptions and can undercut routes to come away with the interception. This all happens with him staying on the receiver’s hip pocket in man coverage which limits the chances of him being broken off at the top of the route and by not allowing the receiver to get to his toes when in zone coverage. In run support, he triggers downhill playing the alley well as he cleans up plays by making open field tackles in the box and on the perimeter. At times, he will be lined up in the box as well as walked up where he comes on a blitz generating pressure on the quarterback. This young man is your prototypical balanced safety, in my opinion, that can get it done for you in both the pass and run defense. If need be, I do believe he could be lined up in the box during Nickel/Dime packages where he could hold down the middle of the field. You can ask a lot out of this young man if you put him single high as he can cover sideline to sideline quickly upon diagnosing the play – still has untapped potential in that regard and with further development can explore added responsibilities to add to his plate for coverages. What would be interesting to see is having teams use him as a rover moving him all around the defense to cause problems for the opposing team. In my eyes, he’s an FCS caliber prospect that could potentially drop to D2/NAIA scholarship player depending on the scheme that you run and your defensive needs. Highlights
Michael Morgan Michael Morgan 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Plainfield East | 2022 State IL Twitter
Mr. Morgan was a new name to me this fall, after the first few weeks of the season he came onto my radar as a player to keep an eye on for the rest of the season. As the season ended and I got a chance to review his full season highlights, it’s clear that this young man is flying under the radar and is being overlooked as his skill set deserves to be recognized on our rankings. This young man is an outside receiver that can attack the ball at the highest point to come away with the contested catch as well as make the catch in traffic. He finds the soft spot in zone coverage where he’ll sit to become an outlet for his quarterback, uses a toe tap to bring in sideline grabs, and is a redzone target for his quarterback as he can win one on one consistently down there. If you’re the opposing defense and give him a free release he can win over the top as he’s quick off the line of scrimmage. Here, he stacks the defender quickly before breaking him off at the top of the route creating separation on the play. Upon securing the catch, he gets vertical quickly and uses quick cuts in open space to make defenders miss showcasing his elusiveness. To me, he might be one of the better all around receivers we have in the state as he has a plus skill set of getting in and out of his breaks quickly as well as his route running ability. At the next level, I could see him transitioning into the slot to create a mismatch with the outside linebacker in certain packages as well as possibly putting him in the backfield at times to go out on swing/wheel routes. All in all, I believe he’s an FCS caliber prospect that could either walk away with a PWO or D2/NAIA scholarship offers. Wherever this young man lands, his impact is going to be felt and given the good foundation that he has he can potentially become a three year starter. Highlights
Gavin Sarvis Gavin Sarvis 6'3" | 195 lbs | RB Burlington Central | 2022 State IL Twitter
Mr. Sarvis was a name I was keeping an eye on heading into this fall season as I heard about him after we posted our last rankings update so he wasn’t added to the watchlist at that time. That being said, after reviewing his mid season highlights as well as his end of season highlights he is much deserving of being on our rankings. He has the vision to find running lanes quickly between the tackles as he burst through the line of scrimmage and can bounce plays outside using his lateral quickness to turn the corner. This young man maintains a low center of gravity as he keeps his feet driving breaking weka arm tackles in the process as he changes his gears quickly. Once in open space, he weaves in and out of defenders. I have him listed as a halfback in our rankings as that’s what a majority of his film showcased and he can, if need be, be transitioned to the defensive side of the ball as he has a background playing defensive back. If you’re a power running team he’s one you’ll want to take a look at as he’s a downhill runner that can produce 4-5 yards per play on a consistent basis. If you’re thinking of using him on the defensive side of the ball I believe he could be utilized as a linebacker, rover, or strong safety. In my eyes, he’s a D2/NAIA caliber prospect that could potentially fall to the D3/JUCO level. If that happens, I do believe that he could potentially be a three year or four year starter at the D3 level. Highlights
Aaron Larkins Aaron Larkins 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Plainfield Central | 2022 State IL Twitter
Mr. Larkins was on my radar heading into this fall season and he didn’t disappoint earning him a spot on our 7A All State Team. I’m actually surprised at the lack of college interest that this young man has as he can get it done in both the ground and air attack. He uses his lateral quickness to turn the corner and keeps his feet driving breaking weak arm tackles in the process. Once he clears the line of scrimmage he uses his next level gear to outrun pursuit angles and blow by 2nd level defenders. Here, he’ll weave in and out of defenders as well as can make the first defender miss showcasing his elusiveness. In the air attack, he can catch out of the backfield where he gets vertical quickly off halfback screens and swing routes. I do believe he possesses the foundation to be put into the slot in certain packages where he can win one on one against a linebacker on short/intermediate routes downfield. I would be interested to see how he would fair as a speed receiving back if that’s what your scheme is in need of as he has the skill set to have good production in that offensive scheme. Whether he’s put in the slot or kept as a halfback at the next level, he has the foundational skill set to have a good career ahead of him. In my eyes, he’s an FCS caliber prospect that could potentially drop to D2/NAIA scholarship. Highlights
Marc Koumoundouros Marc Koumoundouros 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Glenbard East | 2022 State IL Twitter
Mr. Koumoundouros was a new name to me heading into this past fall season and upon reviewing his full season highlights he was put onto our rankings. With that being said, he’s a balanced interior offensive lineman in my opinion that has a foundation set for both run blocking and pass protection. This young man can get to 2nd level blocks where he cuts off linebacker flow and can wash the defensive lineman down, both of which he gets hands on quickly after he fires out of his stance. When pulling, he’s quick out of his stance and can make the kickout block on the defensive end as well as seal the outside linebacker. He finishes plays by keeping his feet driving through the whistle. In pass protection, he patiently awaits the rushing defensive lineman to get within arms length before latching on. He forces the outside rush keeping the pocket clean for his quarterback and showcased the ability to reach block at times over using a kick step in pass protection. I believe he still has untapped potential yet to come to light and with further development can become a steal as an offensive lineman for your program. In my eyes, he’s a D2/NAIA caliber prospect that could potentially drop to D3/JUCO. If that happens, you would be getting a prospect with a high upside that could potentially become a three year starter at the D3 level. Highlights
Nate Kraus Nate Kraus 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Yorkville | 2022 State IL Twitter
Mr. Kraus was a name I heard about after we updated our last rankings so I wasn’t able to put him on the watchlist in time, which he should have been on. Coming into this fall season I kept an eye on him to see how he would produce with a full season to get a better glimpse of his skill set and he didn’t disappoint as he is now on our rankings. He’s a dual threat quarterback that continues to find ways to keep the chains moving for his team. He runs the option where he uses his vision to find running lanes quickly between the tackles and burst through the line of scrimmage. This young man has that next level gear to outrun pursuit angles and blow past the 2nd level defenders once he clears the line of scrimmage, this keeps the defense honest which opens up the offense further for his team. When working in platform, he can get the ball off under pressure making level 3 throws and adds a touch on the deep ball. When he gets flushed out of the pocket/pocket collapses, he can escape and pulls the ball down to scramble. This is also where he keeps his feet driving breaking weak arm tackles in the process to keep the chains moving. I believe he would be successful at the next level as either a quarterback or as a receiver as he possesses the skillset to get it done at both positions. In my eyes, he’s a D2/NAIA caliber prospect that can stretch the field and would fit best in a system that incorporates RPOs. Highlights
Grant Zak Grant Zak 6'4" | 180 lbs | TE Plainfield North | 2022 State IL Twitter
Mr. Zak was a new name to me in this fall season and he didn’t disappoint which is exactly why he’s now on our rankings. What makes this young so interested is the versatility that he possesses. He can line up at tight end, in the slot, and as an outside receiver. I believe he could potentially get transitioned into an edge/defensive end used on passing downs as he has a quick first step to him. Sticking with offense, he’s quick off the line of scrimmage which he uses to gain a step on the defender before stacking and breaking him off at the top of the route creating separation on the play. Upon doing so this young man can do one of two things, he can either make the catch in traffic or attack the ball at the highest point to come away with the contested catch. He also can hold onto catches after he takes heavy hits and does a good job understanding spacing as he can find the soft spot in zone coverage where he’ll sit to become an outlet for his quarterback. Upon securing the catch, he gets vertical quickly and he runs a deadly double move to win over the top on deep shots downfield. In the run game, he stalk blocks downfield where he’ll get hands inside and keep his feet driving through the whistle. All in all, he does have room to add to his frame projecting him as a receiving tight end/outside receiver at the next level depending on your scheme. In my eyes, he’s an FCS potential prospect that is most likely going to drop to the D2/NAIA level. That being said, once he adds to his frame I believe he’ll end up becoming a three year starter for whichever team that picks him up at the D2/NAIA level as he stretches the field vertically and does a good job playing over the rim. Highlights
Jake Wantroba Jake Wantroba 6'2" | 185 lbs | TE Sandburg | 2022 State IL Twitter
Mr. Wantroba was a new name to me during this fall and upon reviewing his film he earned a spot on our rankings. What’s interesting about this prospect is how he can either be a tight end or outside receiver at the next level depending on the scheme of your team. He’s physical in the run game and makes an impact in the receiving game. He understands spacing well as he finds the soft spot in zone coverage where he’ll sit to become an outlet for his quarterback and has strong hands to secure the catch after taking a heavy hit (he can also bounce off those hits staying up racking up positive yards after contact). On deep shots downfield, he attacks the ball at the highest point to come away with contested catches and upon securing the catch he gets vertical quickly. In the run game, he makes the kickout block on the defensive end creating a running lane for the ball carrier and crack blocks the outside linebacker to seal the edge in the run game. This young man has room to fill out his frame more, depending on how he does will decide which position he falls into at the next level (tight end or outside receiver). In my eyes, he’s a D2/NAIA caliber prospect that can provide a positive impact both in the air attack as well as in the ground game. Highlights
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