Chicago Public League: Uncommitted 2021s, Pt. 1

It’s no secret that Illinois’ athletes have gotten the short end of the recruiting stick due to the coronavirus pandemic, especially the 2021s. Although the season is slated to kick off in March, there’s so much uncertainty surrounding this pandemic that these seniors are in jeopardy of not having game film for colleges to evaluate. Camps, showcases, and the 7-on-7 circuit are the only things keeping these athletes relevant in the world of recruiting. When I go to these camps, showcases, and 7-on-7 matchups to evaluate the athletes, I’m always impressed with what I see from the athletes who play in the Chicago Public League. When I was going through my database, I was surprised at the number of talented players in the Public League who have not yet committed to a school. There were so many that I decided to break this into a three-part series. So without further ado, let's jump into Pt. 1 and get to know five uncommitted 2021s who play in Chicago’s Public League...   <h4><em>[player_tooltip player_id="20351" first="Aldo" last="Brown"] | DB | Kenwood</em></h4> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-57323" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Aldo-Brown-300x277.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="277" /> He’s a big CB that excels in press coverage and loves to get physical at the line. A true man-coverage CB that can cover with the best of them when on an island. Impressive closing speed along with loose/fluid hips. A patient and disciplined defender who rarely gets beat by the double-move.   <h4><em>Eric Riley | DB | UP-Bronzeville</em></h4> <img class="alignnone wp-image-47119 lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-230x300.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px" srcset="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-230x300.jpg 230w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-786x1024.jpg 786w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-768x1001.jpg 768w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-1179x1536.jpg 1179w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-1571x2048.jpg 1571w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-600x782.jpg 600w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174.jpg 2044w" alt="" width="225" height="293" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-230x300.jpg" data-srcset="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-230x300.jpg 230w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-786x1024.jpg 786w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-768x1001.jpg 768w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-1179x1536.jpg 1179w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-1571x2048.jpg 1571w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174-600x782.jpg 600w, https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/IMG_2804-e1598808942174.jpg 2044w" /> A 2019 Chicago All-City performer, Riley has good speed and hands and is more than capable of being a reliable WR in college. But after evaluating him closely, he looks to project as a DB at the next level. Eric is a long and rangy DB who loves to get physical at the line. Has great hip fluidity while which enables him to turn and run with the best of them. Uses his long wingspan to routinely deflect passes thrown his way.   <h4><em>Nasir Latham | RB | Lane Tech</em></h4> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-57596" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Nasir-Latham-251x300.jpg" alt="" width="251" height="300" /> Speed kills—and Nasir Latham has a lot of it. A supreme athlete with elite quickness and acceleration which makes him a nightmare in the open field. A creative runner with a solid frame and the toughness to run it between the tackles. Effective in the catch and run game and adds value as a returner. Fun Fact: he posted one of the top shuttle times coming in at 4.31 at last month’s Prep Redzone showcase.   <h4><em>Lamont Pringle | OL/DL | Clark</em></h4> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-26375" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/06/unnamed-3-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> Pringle is primed for a breakout season after being selected to Chicago’s all-city team in 2019. The senior DT is a force in the trenches. He uses his size and strength to penetrate the backfield and has an explosive first step that can collapse a pocket in the blink of an eye. Commands a double team more times than none, plays with a high motor, and is relentless in his pursuit of the ball.   <h4><em>[player_tooltip player_id="20370" first="Camron" last="Fulton"] | QB/ATH | Morgan Park</em></h4> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-45174" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/05/fulto-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Just get the ball in Fulton’s hands and leave the rest to him. If you cut on his film, he looks a lot like #8 for the Ravens. He’s the definition of a natural-born playmaker and can line up pretty much anywhere on offense. Has exceptional vision and burst for a kid who plays QB. He’s more than capable of picking defenders apart from the pocket, but I believe he’s at his best when throwing vertical off play-action and when he decides to break the pocket. I’ve also heard he’s been taking a lot of reps at DB this offseason. Could a position change be coming soon? Whatever position he ends up playing, he’ll continue to have a tremendous impact on the field.