Oliver West PrepRedzoneIL Showcase Session 1 Standouts: OL & DL

What’s up, Illinois subscribers! My name is Oliver West and I am a PrepRedzone scout for our Minnesota and Wisconsin sites but live in Chicago, and last Saturday I was lucky enough to make the hour drive to Naperville to check out the Land of Lincoln talent at our inaugural PrepRedzoneIL Showcase. It was a great event and experience, and with the amount of coaches we had in attendance as well as watching virtually, I am 100% sure some offers will/have come from the event. I am very much looking forward to attending some games in Illinois this Spring, and Saturday’s Showcase provided a great teaser of some of the best talent the state has to offer. We started with a bang with the 10:00 AM first session as the lineman came to play, and for the first time in a while all felt right in the world as I looked on and watched some 40s, shuttles, indy work, and the always fun 1 v 1s. Find out stood out to me below, what I liked about their game, and how they performed. Also, thanks for reading! Defensive Line [player_tooltip player_id="20311" first="Deandre" last="Archer"] (Marist) 6’2.5. 235 lbs. @BigDre2003. Holds offers from Ball State, Western Illinois, Indiana State, Grand Valley State, Valparaiso, Loras, Roosevelt. Has received recruiting graphics from Missouri Southern St, Fordham, South Dakota State, Tulane. Archer is a well-built kid with some great length in his arms, and despite a somewhat slow start to the camp he showed why he has D1 offers in 1 on 1s. Showed a strong stab move that he used to set up other pass-rush moves, and had the speed to get around the edge and the strength to go inside. Lot to like about his game. William Berry (Joliet Catholic Academy) 6’1, 255 lbs. @willberry234 . Ran in the high 4.9s at 255 lbs. on our 40s. Holds offers from Mary Hardin-Baylor, Valparaiso University, Northern State, Northern Michigan, Quincy, Kentucky Wesleyan, Bemidji State. Berry was a grinder who got the most out of every rep, and he stepped up and took a lot of reps. Not being scared to compete is something you want to see at these events live, and the 255 lber. checked all those boxes. He had a fast get-off with some quick and active hands that he used really efficiently. He has some impressive lateral quickness, and combined with his hand-fighting ability you can tell he’s got his best football in-front of him. Additionally, Berry came up to me after the session ended and was one of the most personable and kind kids I met at the whole camp. Going to be a big season for Mr. Berry! [player_tooltip player_id="65769" first="Cooper" last="Cerese"] (Lake Park) 2022. 5’11.5, 238 lbs. @ccerese99 . Has been contacted by Princeton University. What stood out to me most about the 2022 product is his hands. His hand-placement especially, as Cerese is a stocky prospect with a low center of gravity and can gain leverage on bigger OL with an efficient pop in the chest. He’s always the low-man, and is a quicker DL but you can also tell he’s in the weight room and checks some boxes in the strength department. [player_tooltip player_id="20359" first="Connor" last="Corrigan"] (Naperville North) 6’2, 216 lbs. @connorpcorrigan . Holds offers from Indiana State, Butler University, Valparaiso University. Is getting heavily recruited by South Dakota State. Was also shouted out by Jake Lemming at the event, Corrigan was really impressive during 1 on 1s. He’s got a great upper body and looks like a super solid 215 lber. Showed a great variety of pass-rush moves and is a dangerous combination of strength and speed. I’m surprised he doesn’t have more offers! [player_tooltip player_id="20913" first="Christian" last="Lorenzo"] (DeKalb) 2022. 6’3, 285 lbs. @BigChristian90 . Receiving some interest from the hometown Northern Illinois Huskies. Probably one of the biggest stock-risers of the entire camp both at the DL and overall, I heard multiple people mention that DeKalb always has some under-recruited studs, and it seems like Lorenzo fits the bill as of right now. First noticed in the individual drills, Lorenzo possesses great size at the DL position, especially for his age. Despite being 6’3 and taller for an inside DL position, he plays low and has some quick feet, and what really stood out to me during indy was his bend. He displayed some good hips and body control. This was even before 1 on 1s, and during the competition phase I really liked how he exploded out his stance and looked natural getting after the QB. Showed a mean rip that he utilized a lot, and has a lot of tools that make him a promising Division 1 recruit. [player_tooltip player_id="20908" first="Jireh" last="Mays"] (East St. Louis) 2022. 6’, 328 lbs. @jirehmays75 . Receiving recruiting interest from Columbia, Murray State, Princeton, Dartmouth. Another big winner from the first session, Mays moves extremely well for 330 lbs. and has the lateral agility to play DL at a really high level. Although I really like how he hand-fights, my favorite trait I saw was easily his strength. He’s got a nasty bull-rush and a ton of pop in his arms, and can use and set up that strength to beat OL with his unexpected quickness. Going against the competition at the defending Illinois big-school state champions is also a nice benefit, and I can see Mays playing FBS/P5 football in the future if stays on the grind. [player_tooltip player_id="53816" first="Arman" last="Oshana"] (Lincoln Park) Unofficially 6’3, 255 lbs. @OshanaArman Offered by Upper Iowa, Northwood University, Northern Michigan. Really liked his powerful first-step as well as his bend at his size. Looked good through testing, individual drills, and 1 on 1s. Roderick Pierce III (Brother Rice) 2023. 6’2, 251 lbs. @trey2023_ . Never too early to start scouting underclassman, and I’d bet the house that Pierce III will be a good one. What really stood out was how many reps he took. It seemed like every time I checked out his DL group he was up and getting after the QB, and he does not look or play like only a sophomore in high school. He showed a diverse variety of pass-rush moves and is really fast off the LOS. This won’t be the last time you hear the Brother Rice product’s name! [player_tooltip player_id="65480" first="Jakai" last="Washington"] (Hillcrest) 6’1, 240 lbs. @JakaiWashingto1 . Committed to Indiana State. I made more than a few notes on how impressive Washington’s pass-rush moves were. He showed a bull-rush, spin, stabs, rips, long-arms, and swims, and executed them all flawlessly. When you can effectively use these techniques on a DL you really show how beautiful football can be in the trenches, and Washington was a DL that made me think of that. The Sycamores are getting a good one. Demarcus Caston (Brother Rice) 2023. 6’1.5, 372 lbs. @Demarcus_caston . A gigantic 2023 prospect with overwhelming size, Caston is another ’23 product from Brother Rice that you need to know. His agility for his size really stands out, and if he gets his hands inside and decides to bull-rush you opposing lineman better have hit the weight room that summer, because you’ll need every squat and clean you can to stop him. Caston also gave me one of my favorite memories from the camp as he broke out his business cards at the end of the camp that marketed himself as a recruit. It listed his height, weight, a picture of himself, and some contact information. This kid is serious about playing college football and that’s something you always like to see in a prospect. [player_tooltip player_id="20317" first="Hunter" last="Sperling"] (Chicago Christian) 6’3, 260 lbs. @hsper_1 . Holds a 4.15 GPA and a 31 on the ACT. Holds offers from Morehead State, Northern Michigan, Carnegie Mellon, Olivet Nazarene, Dayton, Rose-Hulman, Valparaiso. Versatile lineman who could play OL or DL at the collegiate level. Strong, and was technically sound all day long. Tyler Wood (St. Francis College Prep in Wheaton) 2023. 6’1, 278 lbs. @TylerJWood3 . One of my biggest sleepers from the DL, Wood was quietly successful during a majority of 1 on 1s and did a good job of adjusting his pass-rush to what the OL was giving him. Also has great size and is a varsity wrestler as well, so he’s got a ton of upside as a prospect. Offensive Line Christopher Bornhoeft (Plainfield South) 6’2, 275 lbs. @BornhoeftChris . Holds offers from Southwest Minnesota State, DePauw, Roosevelt, North Park, Loras, St. Norbert, Northern Michigan. Great hands and his counters to pass-rush attacks was really solid. Used some great technique and had that nasty streak I love in OL as he was always looking to put people in the dirt and on their butts. [player_tooltip player_id="20308" first="Sam" last="Buck"] (Highland) 6’3, 293 lbs. @bigsambuck . Holds offers from Quincy, Southwest Minnesota State, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois. One of the unanimous OL standouts amongst all the scouts and coaches in attendance, Buck is an extremely strong OL prospect who plays technically sound and doesn’t get himself overextended or in a bad position very often. Keeps his hands and his feet really active, shows tremendous lateral quickness, and is a brick wall in pass-pro. Should hopefully garner some more scholarship offers after the performance. Jake Lemming noted that Buck is an FBS kid and I think it’s hard to argue against that claim after seeing him in-person. Also had by far the best hair of any camper at the showcase. Matthew Harris (Marmion Academy) 2022. 6’3.5, 320 lbs. @matthewharrris . Did a tremendous job during 1 on 1s. Used his size well and has a ton of pop in his hands and arms. [player_tooltip player_id="65764" first="Luke" last="Dalton"] (Marian Central Catholic) 2022. 6’4.5, 304 lbs. @LukeDalton . Receiving recruiting interest from Miami (OH), Eastern Michigan, NIU, North Dakota. Dalton was one of my favorite OL at the camp due to his strength and grit. A fiery competitor who was aggressive and mobile at the OL position, I could see Dalton playing OT or IOL in college if needed. Tried to beat the crap out of opposing DL every chance he got, which is hard not to love. [player_tooltip player_id="65763" first="Thomas" last="Hubbard"] (Bartlett) 2022. 6’3.5, 248 lbs. @bubbahubbard1 . Receiving recruiting interest from NIU, Harvard, North Dakota State, Illinois, South Dakota, Dartmouth, Oklahoma. Really high-ceiling as an OL with promising size and some mean and violent hands. [player_tooltip player_id="65860" first="Mack" last="Indestad"] (Lemont Township) 2022. 6’6, 230 lbs. @mack_indestad . Really nice frame although he needs to add some weight. Also possesses a good understanding of leverage and was a finisher despite his height. If he can add some weight and have a big junior season I could see his stock rising quickly in recruitment. D[player_tooltip player_id="20889" first="Evan" last="King"] (Morgan Park) 2022. 5’10, 286 lbs. @DevanKing13 . Was playing hurt and still was giving his all every rep, and showed no hesitation in stepping up and competing. Good strength and plays low, he had some good wins in the 1 on 1 phase of the showcase [player_tooltip player_id="65793" first="Gabriel" last="Krahn"] (Mount Carmel) 6’0.5, 279 lbs. Showed out during the 1 on 1 portion of the showcase and is a strong and technically sound OL. Peyton Mazur (Christopher Community) 2022. 6’4, 340 lbs. @MazurPeyton . An overwhelmingly strong offensive lineman who you can tell is just a crushing blocker in the run game. He’s also pretty explosive out of his stance. Also noteworthy that he drove six hours North to attend the camp, so that says something about how much he loves football. Should be getting some FCS looks at least right now. [player_tooltip player_id="20841" first="Miles" last="McVay"] (East St. Louis) 2023. 6’7, 365 lbs. @McVayMiles . Holds offers from Ole Miss, Arizona State, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee. By far the most highly-touted lineman at the Showcase, the 2023 behemoth lived up the hype as he ran really well in the 40 and the shuttle for his size, and just overall is natural OT who has a beautiful pass-set that covers ground and keeps McVay in optimal position to stuff a block. Obviously, he had no struggles stoning bullrush and more strength-heavy pass-rush attempts, but I was really impressed with how he handled speed-rushers on the edge thanks to that natural pass-set. He’s also never passive (pass-pro isn’t passive!) and was always trying to make the DL feel him and put a little hurting on him. I also really liked his competitiveness at the camp. There was a little bit of back-and-forth with some other DLineman, and it only made McVay go harder, much to the horror of the remaining DL. It’s no surprise he has five P5 offers right now, and more are definitely coming. Dakota Moss (Thornridge) 5’11, 330 lbs. Impressively quick for his size. Courtland Wilson (Thornwood) @Courtland_II . 5’7, 210 lbs. One of the smallest OL at the event, it took some serious stones to lineup against the promising competition at the event over and over, but Wilson had no problem competing and I appreciated that. Kevon Boakye (Thornwood) 5’11, 260 lbs. @BoakyeKevon . High-effort kid with good fundamentals and some promising strength in his stout and solid frame. I think he’d make for a successful collegiate DL.