PRZ Showcase Session 2 Top Performers: QB, WR, DB and LB

The second portion of the PrepRed Zone Showcase saw plenty of talent in this group that included quarterbacks, wide receivers, defensive backs and linebackers. Plenty of great reps were seen out of the large group and here are the players that stood out. 2023 Wide Receiver [player_tooltip player_id="20836" first="Carnell" last="Tate"], Marist (6’2.5”) Tate was impressive all day, even though he did not run the 40, his speed is evident. He uses his body well to shield off defenders, then his length plays to high point the ball. Always used his hands to catch the ball, Tate is just so smooth. He showed why he already has high D1 offers. 2021 Cornerback Giovanni Volpentesta, Highland Park (5’10.5” and 196-pounds) Volpentesta is well put together, he’s been in the weight room before. He uses his body well to bother receivers and ran a very solid 4.67 fourty. Showed very good fast twitch in 1 v 1’s. Could eventually move to safety but showed good enough coverage skills to stay at corner. 2022 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="20925" first="Bryan" last="McCoy"], Joliet West (5’11.5” and 217-pounds) McCoy has a college ready body even though he might be a bit on the shorter side. He makes up for it with his speed, but didn’t run a blazing fourty, 4.78. Showed some very good lateral quickness and it showed in the 1 v 1 portion. 2023 Linebacker Tyler Jansey, Batavia (6’0.5” and 206-pounds) This rising sophomore has a bright future ahead of him. I wrote twice on my notes commenting on his frame, which is impressive for his age. During the 1 v 1’s against running backs, he consistently altered routes or legally put his man on the ground. Jansey also has a bright future. 2022 Quarterback Brandon Rogers, Mount Carmel (5’10” and 179-pounds) Off the bat Rogers showed elite arm strength, which shouldn’t come as a surprise as he is an Oklahoma baseball commit. Rogers moved his feet well, always balanced with hip rotation. The deep ball thrown by Rogers is pretty, great arch and very catchable. He can be a star in either sport at the next level. 2021 Tight End Ryan Orput, Hinsdale Central (6’3.5” and 211-pounds) I think he ultimately ends up as a tight end, but he could play receiver until his body matures. And it will, Orput looks skinny, but has broad shoulders, giving him the ability to add good weight on. Went up and used his size to outreach defenders. Orput would have seen much more recruiting interest if a fall season was being played. 2021 Running back [player_tooltip player_id="20245" first="Davion" last="Cherwin"], South Elgin (5’8.5” and 193-pounds) Cherwin isn’t a very tall back, but he’s put together. Could probably add a bit more weight without losing any speed. Cherwin runs good routes out of the backfield and shows solid hands. With his size, Cherwin has the potential to be a 3 down back. 2021 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="20348" first="Santonien" last="Flowers"], Marist (5’8.5” and 185-pounds) Flowers might have arrived to the camp as a linebacker, but his future is in the secondary. Flowers ran a 4.68 fourty and had a quick 4.83 10-yard shuttle. Playing linebacker will help his future with run defense and reading plays. Flowers has great anticipation as he picked off a pass in the 1 v 1 portion. 2021 Wide receiver Na’Zir Jones, Hillcrest (5’8” and 145-pounds) What Jones lacks in size, he makes up for it in speed. One of the fastest players in attendance, Jones ran a blazing 4.5 fourty. Jones actually uses his body well to shield off larger defenders. He’s great a hand fighting then getting separation at the right moment. If he was taller, he’d be getting recruited much harder. 2021 Wide receiver Joe Kuthe, Stillman Valley (6’0” and 180-pounds) Well put together but still room to add weight. Speed is impressive as he ran a 4.51 fourty. Moved well in individual drills then showed that burst again in 1 v 1’s. Needs to work a bit on body control but well worth the risk due to upside. Best of the rest: 2021 Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="20225" first="Hunter" last="Simmons"], Marion (6’1.5” and 241-pounds) Well put together and his arm strength stood out. 2021 Quarterback Jalen Cunningham, Thornwood (6’3.5” and 201-pounds) Great frame for a qb with solid arm strength and good mobility. Lots of potential. 2022 Wide receiver Jalen Johnson, Metea (6’3.5” and 179-pounds) Love the length and upside. If he works on his speed while adding good weight, his recruitment will blow up. 2021 Running back Jordan Collins, Harlan Community (5’7” and 152-pounds) Although diminutive has speed for days, could move out to slot and return punts. 2023 Wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id="20843" first="Malik" last="Elzy"], Simeon (6’1.5” and 190-pounds) Great body type and tons of upside. One to watch for the next few years. 2021 Linebacker Zach Wingerter, Minooka (6’0.5” and 227-pounds) A plugger in the middle, but needs to improve in pass coverage. 2021 Running back [player_tooltip player_id="20242" first="Nate" last="Thomas"], Thornwood. (5’8” and 210-pounds) Not a burner, Thomas showed good hands out of the backfield. 2022 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="20921" first="Carson" last="Eggebraten"], St. Viator (6’0” and 205-pounds) Lots of upside here, a great frame that will continue to fill out. 2022 Tight End Aleks Popovic, Lake Zurich (6’2.5” and 226-pounds) College ready body, showed good speed and solid hands.