Boom Showcase Day 2: Lemming’s Top WR’s, TE’s & OL’s
Overview On Sunday, August 9th, I attended the Boom Showcase in Naperville. The event featured testing like the 40-yard dash, shuttle and broad jump. Following that, players competed in individual drills and eventually went on to 1 on 1’s. The…
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On Sunday, August 9th, I attended the Boom Showcase in Naperville. The event featured testing like the 40-yard dash, shuttle and broad jump. Following that, players competed in individual drills and eventually went on to 1 on 1’s. The event had to have close to 400 kids in attendance and a large group of Division one prospects. Here’s which WR’s, TE’s and OL’s that stood out!
Wide Receivers
Jason Moore, De La Salle, SR
I’d describe Moore as quick and extremely twitchy. The kid dazzled as a route runner and showed why he’s so dangerous after the catch. No question, an FBS level talent.
Kyree Shirley Kyree Shirley 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Freeport | 2021 IL , Freeport, SR
I thought Shirley was an exceptionally talented QB, but he came to the showcase as a wideout and showed his versatility. He’s a long-striding prospect, with good build-up speed and naturally catches the ball away from his body. Very interested to see what he plays at the next level.
Kendrick Watkins-Hogue, Galesburg, SR
This was one kid I was very excited to see on the roster. Watkins-Hogue was one of the best WR prospects in all of Iowa and has now transferred to Galesburg High School in Illinois. This kid can do it all, he’s a smooth route runner, has quick feet off press, and stacks defenders immediately when he beats them. I think he’s a D1 kid and I think offers are coming soon.
Jack Tremblay, Lincoln-Way East, JR
I had heard a lot about Tremblay in the previous few months, and he lived up to the hype. This kid is fun to watch and can play multiple positions on the field. He dominated during 1 on 1’s and showed he’s a matchup nightmare in the slot.
Quentrell Harris Quentrell Harris 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Nazareth | 2022 State IL , Lyons, JR
One of IL’s best wideouts in the 2022 class was in attendance and was consistent throughout. This kid is such a confident route runner, with great body control. His breaks were clean with no missteps. Harris should be a Power Five kid with another big season.
Cameron Pickett, Brooks, JR
Pickett is one of the hidden gems in the 2022 class. He played well for Brooks as a sophomore, playing a bit of everything. He’s shifty as they come and understands how to leverage defensive backs. He had soft hands and showed he can consistently run crisp routes.
Ben Clawson Ben Clawson 6'0" | 190 lbs | WR Hersey | 2022 State IL , Hersey, JR
I’m a huge fan of this kid’s sophomore tape and think he’s one of IL’s elite’s. Clawson was dominant as a sophomore and showed strong hands during individual drills. During 7 on 7 and 1 on’s, he was a force and clearly stretched the defense. He’s definitely a name people need to know moving forward.
Eian Pugh Eian Pugh 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR Fenwick | 2022 State IL , Fenwick, JR
I hadn’t seen Mr. Pugh before this event, but I was really impressed by the sheer size of this kid. He’s every bit of 6’3 and looks like he weighed much more than 170. His jumping ability was magnificent, and he showed great burst off the football. He was consistent throughout positional drills, 7 on 7 and 1 on 1’s.
Zeke Williams, Naperville North, JR
Williams had been on my radar for a few months, but in person, I was really surprised by his mixture of size and speed. The kid can go up and get the football, but also can simply run right by a defensive back. He doesn’t have any offers yet, but I’m certain that’ll change soon.
Carnell Tate Carnell Tate 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR IMG Academy | 2023 State FL , Marist, SO
Hands down the best player at the showcase. Tate is Illinois’ #1 overall player in the 2023 class, and he showed exactly why. This guy is an absolute technician as a route runner and dominated during every drill. He has a few offers right now, but he’ll soon have every offer in the country. He’s a four-star type talent.
Malik Elzy Malik Elzy 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR Simeon | 2023 State IL , Simeon, SO
Malik is a physical specimen who is going to be a force moving forward for the next three years. For a big guy, he gets out of his cuts almost effortlessly and naturally works back to the football. He started as a freshman last fall, and I think he’s going to make a big jump as a sophomore.
Marvin Greene, Kenwood, SO
I had no idea who this guy was coming in to this event, but left telling myself I had to watch this kids film. Greene has great acceleration, plucks the ball out of the air, and can make you miss after the catch. Kenwood’s receiving core is scary talented, and Greene will add another serious weapon to their arsenal.
Other WR’s Who Stood Out
Brock Jewson, Crystal Lake South, SR
Asa Cooper, Coal City, SR
Will Doetch, North Boone, JR
Jake Pieper, Vernon Hills, JR
Charlie Newton, Walter Payton Prep, SO
Tight Ends
Lucas Althaus Lucas Althaus 6'6" | 225 lbs | TE Cambridge | 2021 IL , Alwood, SR
This is a big kid who can move well for his size. Althaus is a natural route runner and can cause matchup issues in the slot. He plays for a small school, but he’s as talented as they come. He looked good in 1 on 1’s and consistently caught the ball away from his body. He’s a major sleeper in the 2021 class.
Jake Cicero, Glenbard North, SR
Every time I see Cicero, I can’t help but be amazed by his sheer size. This kid looks like a Big Ten tight end. Cicero has surprisingly good acceleration for a big guy and will get dirty in the blocking game. He consistently burst in & out of cuts and showed he’s not afraid to lineup in the slot.
Favour Charles, Palatine, SR
I looked at this guy and immediately thought, “Who is that?” Charles is absolutely shredded and looks exactly like how you’d design a tight end. He can run like a deer and has soft hands for a big guy. I couldn’t find any tape on him, but watch out for him as a senior, because he can ball!
Andrew Keller Andrew Keller 6'6" | 215 lbs | TE Waunakee | 2022 State WI , Waunakee (WI), JR
One of the best out of state prospects hailed from the state of Wisconsin. Keller is a long-striding tight end who mostly played WR in 2019. He’s got a frame he can easily add 50 pounds to overtime and should develop into a really nice prospect. He showed up at the camp and did everything right; he caught everything thrown his way and was clearly one of the best tight end prospects at the camp.
Other TE’s Who Stood Out
Anthony Cirrincione, South Elgin, SR
Offensive Linemen
Chris Bornhoeft, Plainfield South, SR
I’m a big fan of this kid and love the mean streak he displays. In drill work, he showed a strong and compact punch that had some pop to it. He was consistent during 1 on 1’s and played with a low base against a bull rush and pull technique. He’s one of the more underrated offensive linemen in all of Illinois.
Nick Walker, Wheaton Warrenville South, SR
This is a rising big man who moves extremely well. He has a solid punch and good knee/ankle bend. He looked good during positional drills and was one of the top performers during 1 on 1’s.
Sam Rummel, Winnebago, SR
This kid is huge and was very light on his feet. He was aggressive at the point of attack and had a clean vertical set. He fired off the ball all day and played with phenomenal pad level. He’s a definite sleeper in the 2021 class.
Paolo Gennarelli Paolo Gennarelli 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL St. Charles North | 2022 State IL , St. Charles North, JR
People have raved to me about Gennarelli’s upside, and after seeing him in person, I get why. This kid has a heavy punch and can move. He’s patient in pass protection and won his fair share of 1 on 1’s. The sky is the limit for Paolo, and I see his recruiting taking off in the near future.
Mack Indestad, Lemont, JR
This kid has phenomenal athletic ability and a frame he can easily add weight to. He was a natural in pass protection and performed well against counter moves in 1 on 1’s. If he puts on 25-30 pounds, you’re looking at a serious offensive line prospect in the 2022 class.
Luke Dalton, Marian Central Catholic, JR
Dalton started for the Hurricanes as a sophomore and played nasty for them. This kid is a finisher who lives for run blocking situations. He does a great job of getting his second step in the ground and is quick of the ball. He looked really good during positional drills and showed off good flexibility for a big guy.
Keontay Taylor, Proviso East, SO
I had a coach come up to me at the beginning of the event and told me about how great Taylor’s feet were. After watching him during 1 on 1’s, I completely agreed. This kid was patient with his punch and could move laterally with relative ease. He’s going to have to add a little size, but the talent is most certainly evident.
Jacob Welch Jacob Welch 6'6" | 285 lbs | OL Johnsburg | 2023 State IL , Johnsburg, SO
Arguably Illinois’ top offensive lineman in the 2023 class was steady all day. Welch moves well for a guy at 6’5 and can easily get to the second level. He played with great body control during positional drills and 1 on 1’s. When is his first offer coming?
Other OL’s Who Stood Out
Mike Gatz, Marian Central Catholic, SR
Pernell Carter, Steinmetz, SR
Gatlin Ford, Moline, JR
Tyler Uken, Mahomet-Seymour, JR
Paulie Robertson, Glenbard North, JR
Nathan Henry, Aurora Christian, JR