PRZ Showcase Standouts: LB's & DB's

LB’s Dominic D’Ambra, Glenbard South, 6’, 180, 2022 Could be a safety at the next level if need be. The kid is instinctive and matches up with backs well out of the backfield. He’ll add weight as time goes on, but I love the mentality he showed during individual and 1 on 1’s Will Bowlby, Carbondale, 6’3.5, 190, 2021 Right now, Bowlby is getting little to no recruiting attention, which is a bit puzzling. To me, this kid is a no brainer; he’s fast as he clocked a 4.74 40 yard dash on Saturday & plays with an extremely high motor. He can run with the best of them and will step up and fill a hole. He’s a major sleeper and someone needs to scoop him up. Hunter DeVena, Galesburg, 6’1.5, 201, 2022 If you’re looking for a standup 3-4 outside linebacker, look no further. Hunter has loose hips, strong hands and can run, clocking a 4.78 on Saturday. When you turn on his sophomore tape, the kid flashes everywhere. Should be an FBS kid when it’s all said and done. [player_tooltip player_id="20921" first="Carson" last="Eggebraten"], St. Viator, 6’, 205, 2022 One of Illinois’ top linebackers in the 2022 class showed up and performed well. Carson has excellent body control and a quick trigger. He moves well in space and is patient when guarding potential targets. Keep an eye on his junior film; it should be very good. [player_tooltip player_id="20348" first="Santonien" last="Flowers"], 5’8.5, 185, Marist, 2021 When you watch Flowers play, I think his ideal fit is as a nickel type. The kid is so instinctive and physical for a guy his size. He ran a 4.68 on Saturday and was running stride for stride with everyone he went against. Don’t let his size foot you; this kid is a heck of a ballplayer. [player_tooltip player_id="20927" first="Ty" last="Hopp"], Aurora Central Catholic, 5’11.5, 220, 2022 This guy could move for someone 220, as he clocked a 4.78 40 yard dash time. Hopp is put together and can run better than most mike linebackers. I was most impressed by his lateral movement skills during individual drills. Ruben Howell, Belleville West, 6’2, 224, 2021 Howell came to the event as a linebacker and looked like a natural in drills. He’s got loose hips, good lateral agility, and great burst for a man his size. He’s versatile too; this kid is not afraid to put his hand in the dirt and play as a true five-technique. He’s one of the best available 2021 defensive linemen in all of Illinois. Tyler Jansey, Batavia, 6’0.5, 206, 2023 Tyler was probably the best linebacker prospect at the camp. He’s only going to be a sophomore, and he’s already clocked in at a 4.75 40 yard dash. He’s got a great frame he can grow into and impressive quickness for a linebacker. He was all over running backs during 1 on 1’s and showed he can play inside or outside linebacker. Dan Kowaleski, St. Charles North, 5’11, 201, 2021 I didn’t know much about Dan prior to the showcase, but it’s hard to look away from a 4.85 40 yard dash and a blazing 4.49 shuttle! Kowaleski moves well in space and can hit like a ton of bricks. During individual, he showed a good base, solid knee bend, and clean breaks. [player_tooltip player_id="20925" first="Bryan" last="McCoy"], Joliet West, 5’11.5, 217, 2022 If you haven’t seen my picture of Mr. McCoy on twitter go check it out! This kid is built like a Greek god and looks like an ideal mike linebacker. He showed no issues guarding backs out of the backfield and was a physical presence all day long. [player_tooltip player_id="20331" first="Danny" last="Orgler"], Stevenson, 6’1, 201, 2021 Danny was scooting on Saturday, clocking in at a 4.7 40 yard dash. What I was most impressed by was his versatility, he can rush the passer, drop back into coverage & come up and fill the run. He looked fundamentally sound during individual drills and showed the high motor he’s known for. Albert Pontrelli, Lemont, 6’1.5, 198, 2021 This guy has been on my radar for quite some time, and every time I see him, I’m more impressed. He’s put together and has a frame he can easily pack 30-40 more pounds onto. He was dominant during 1 on 1’s and showed that he can stick his toe in the ground against double moves. I’m shocked he’s still available; some college needs to grab this kid. Evan Roper, Barrington, 6’, 212, 2021 Evan ran a solid time for a guy 212, clocking in a 4.86 40 yard dash. I think he’s got a ton of upside and showed that during 1 on 1’s. He was solid all day long and looked like one of the best LB’s at the camp. Brock Skaggs, Washington, 6’0.5, 242, 2022 I don’t know many linebackers who look quite like Brock Skaggs. I also don’t know many who can run like him at that size as he ran a sub 5 40 yard dash, clocking a 4.97 in the 40-yard dash. I’m telling you this kid is just getting started, and no question has his best football ahead of him. I’m very much looking forward to seeing his junior tape. Quinn Wieties, Fenwick, 6’1.5, 232, 2022 I think Quinn’s best trait is his versatility. Last fall, he put his hand in the dirt and played defensive end, this fall he’s going to be moving back and playing some linebacker. The kid was a natural and looked like he had been playing LB for years during drills and carried that over to 1 on 1’s. Zach Wingerter, Minooka, 6’.05, 227, 2021 This is another kid who is just chiseled. Zach is explosive for a big man and has good later movement skills. He’s got good bend and can flip his hips and run. He looks like a college linebacker already, so I think some more schools could come into the picture soon. Others Who Stood Out Tylor Durflinger, Watseka, 5’10, 229, 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="20845" first="JaMycheal" last="Towns"], Bremen, 6’1.5, 182, 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="20840" first="John" last="Weidenbach"], Benet, 6’1, 212, 2023 Julian Voss, Minooka, 5’10, 166, 2021 Jordan Medrano, Riverside Brookfield, 6’ .05, 193, 2021 Shane Roth, Naperville Central, 5’9, 190, 2021 Christian McKinney, Homewood Flossmoor, 5’11.5, 199, 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="20926" first="Malyk" last="Jones"], Homewood Flossmoor, 5’8.5, 227, 2022 <hr /> DB’s [player_tooltip player_id="20931" first="Austin" last="Brown"], Johnston City, 6’0.5, 203, 2022 One of the more heavily recruited 2022 DB’s in all of Illinois made the trip up to Naperville. I had never seen Austin in person, but I was really impressed how built he is. During 1 on 1’s he showed clean breaks, the ability to weave with wide receivers, and quick feet in press. More offers should be coming soon. [player_tooltip player_id="20930" first="Saveon" last="Brown"], Thornwood, 6’2.5, 193, 2022 I’m still trying to figure out if I like Saveon more as a corner or safety. He dominated in press coverage and showed a strong punch, to go along with a solid six-inch replace step. He was easily one of the best prospects at the camp, and I fully expect more Power 5 schools to come into the picture soon. Jaylen Brozovich, Rock Island, 6’0.5, 201, 2021 Jaylen is an athletic kid who could have a fit on either side of the ball. He’s got good ball skills, solid straight-line speed, and plays low in his backpedal. He’ll definitely be a senior evaluation kid. [player_tooltip player_id="20844" first="Andre" last="Crews"], Simeon, 5’8, 162, 2023 I loved Andre’s upside as a running back and now after seeing him in person as a DB, you can most certainly see the potential. This kid is a playmaker and played with a pitbull-type mentality. He refuses to let his size get in the way and showed he will step up against anyone during 1 on 1’s. He’s got a bright future ahead of him. [player_tooltip player_id="20935" first="Cyris" last="Davis"], O’Fallon, 6’1, 178, 2022 Davis has good size for a corner measuring in at 6’1, but more importantly, he can hold is own on an island. Saturday, his breaks were consistently inside the framework off his body and he did a great job speeding his hands to get out of his cuts. He’s a little under the radar, but I think the ability is there. Jacob Freeman III, Belleville East, 5’11, 167, 2021 When you watch Freeman on film, the kid just plays fundamentally sound football. He showed that on Saturday, knowing when to open his hips when a wideout breaks his cushion and running stride for stride with the opposing receiver. He ran well too, clocking in at a 4.62 40 yard dash. Jalyn Givan, Plainfield North, 6’, 153, 2021 When you look at raw tools, Givan possesses a lot of them. He has good straight-line speed, clocking a 4.62 40 yard dash time. He’s got quick feet and can mirror WR’s in press. I was impressed by his ability to lean and locate during 1 on 1’s. Justin Gniedziejko, Taft, 6’1, 188, 2021 Justin can play on either side of the ball and played a ton of DB Saturday. He’s got very active feet, plucks the ball out of the air and showed good forward body lean during his breaks. He used his long arms to get his hands on wideouts during 1 on 1’s and created issues for the guys on offense. Joeron Hill Jr., Kankakee, 6’3, 158, 2021 This is one of the state’s best available DB’s in the 2021 class. I knew Joeron was listed at 6’3, but he came in and measured that exact height. The kid has good straight-line speed, widens receivers releases in press, and is explosive coming out of his breaks. He’s got one FBS offer from FAU, but is still available. Jason Berger, Lemont, 5’10, 172, 2021 One of the most fundamentally sound DB’s at the camp. He understands quick game and how to drive on it, but also has awareness for a double move. Berger showed a smooth pedal and took good angles to the ball coming out of his breaks. [player_tooltip player_id="20932" first="Peter" last="Roll"], Nazareth, 5’11, 184, 2022 The best part of Pete’s game is his ability to make plays in space. He’s a thumper who showed he can move too, clocking in at a 4.58 40 yard dash. He’s a true safety who can roll up in the slot and will opposite hand jams wideouts based on their release. He was easily one of the best DB’s at the camp. Giovanni Volopentesta, Highland Park, 5’10.5, 196, 2021 Athletic as they come, and fun to watch. Giovanni did not disappoint and came out and competed all day. He looked good during individual and I think his best football as a DB is coming soon. He does a little bit of everything for Highland Park right now and will do whatever a coach asks. Miles Moody, Minooka, 5’11.5, 159, 2021 Moody’s 40 yard dash time was among the best at the showcase, clocking in at a 4.52. Moody hasn’t garnered a ton of recognition, but I’m looking forward to following his senior season. You can’t teach speed, and Moody most certainly has it. Noah Taylor, Lemont, 5’11, 180, 2023 Taylor showed up on Saturday and ran a 4.6 40 yard dash as just a sophomore. I didn’t know anything about him going into the camp, but I certainly do now. He’s expected to a big part of Lemont’s 2021 defense, keep an eye on him this winter. Others Who Stood Out Clark Dilger, Lincoln-Way-East, 6’1, 181, 2021 Israel Oke-Diran, Taft, 5’10.5, 184, 2021 Grant Larkin, Nequa Valley, 5’11, 167, 2023 Thailer Herring, Bolingbrook, 6’, 160, 2022 Jyaire Hill, Kankakee, 6’1, 154, 2023 Robert Satterwhite, Joliet West, 5’9, 151, 2022 Chris Garrett, Plainfield South, 5’10.5, 166, 2021 Malachi Hood, Joliet Catholic, 6’2, 183, 2022