Illinois All Off-Season Squad: 1st Team Offense

<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><em><strong>Overview</strong></em></span> This off-season, I’ve been fortunate enough to attend numerous workouts, practices, camps &amp; showcases to evaluate some of the most talented prospects in all of Illinois. During this time, I’ve seen some of the biggest recruits in the state, who were very much on my radar beforehand. However, I’ve also seen a ton of hidden gem type prospects who I had no idea about and discovered because of these events. I went deep into my notes and gave you my top performers of this off-season. Here’s our complete 1st Team All-Offseason Offensive Squad. <hr /> <em><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>QB</strong></span></em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20225" first="Hunter" last="Simmons"], Marion, SR</strong> Simmons has come a long way this off-season and is developing into one of Illinois’ best quarterbacks. When you turn on the tape, you’ll see a guy with the raw arm strength to throw it 65 yards in the air almost effortlessly. His offensive line didn’t protect him well, causing his footwork to take a step back. However, after seeing him this off-season the kid has progressed a ton. During 7 on 7 portions, his five and three-step drops were smooth. He was willing to sit in the pocket and go through his progressions like a natural. I think Hunter has FBS ability, and someone needs to take a chance on this young man. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="65077" first="Jalen" last="Cunningham"], Thornwood, SR</strong> Seeing the growth of Mr. Cunningham has been fun to watch. He’s had a monstrous off-season, improving both his footwork and accuracy on all three levels. He drives the ball more now, and you can clearly see the transition of his weight on the deep ball. Jalen’s athletic ability is second to none, and he knows how to get out of trouble and keep a play alive. Everywhere I’ve gone, coaches have come up to me and told me about Jalen. The potential is most certainly there, and I expect him to have a monster senior season. <img class="alignnone wp-image-57506" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Jalen-Cunningham-267x300.jpg" alt="" width="322" height="362" /> <em><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>RB</strong></span></em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20245" first="Davion" last="Cherwin"], South Elgin, SR</strong> This kid is an absolute burner who showed up at our own camp and ran a 40-yard dash in the 4.4 range. Cherwin runs with a low pad level and can run through you or around you. He showed on tape that arm tackles were essentially useless against him and that you better wrap him up or he’ll slip-free. He’s also a natural hands catcher who can run routes like a wideout. He’s got a strong lower half that could be his best asset. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20872" first="Trevor" last="Burnett"], Glenbard South, JR</strong> An explosive back who can catch the ball out of the backfield or lineup in the slot and give defenses issues. I was impressed with how put together Trevor is already for a kid who is only a junior. He’s extremely shifty, giving him an edge in 1 on 1 situations. He can stick his toe in the ground and change direction with ease and isn’t afraid to run between the tackles. He dominated at our showcase and proved he’s one of Illinois’ top backs in the 2022 class. <img class="alignnone wp-image-57651" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Trevor-Burnett-264x300.jpg" alt="" width="322" height="366" /> <em><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>WR </strong></span></em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20836" first="Carnell" last="Tate"], Marist, SO</strong> Hands down the best prospect I saw all off-season. I’ve seen Carnell at multiple events, and the kid just dominates at every single one. He’s silky smooth getting out of his breaks and can easily track the deep ball. He understands leverage and will eat a DB’s leverage up by stemming him inside. He plucks the football out of the air and can make you miss after the catch. He’ll soon have very offer in the country and for a good reason. <img class="alignnone wp-image-57379" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Carnell-Tate-260x300.jpg" alt="" width="312" height="360" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20266" first="Tristin" last="Duncan"], Effingham, SR</strong> This kid is such an underrated prospect, and all he’s done is produce, putting up 1,436 yards and 14 TD’s as a junior. Duncan came to our event and clocked a high 4.5 40 yard dash running into the wind. His speed is evident on film, as it looked like his QB was going to overthrow him before he somehow ran underneath the deep ball and hauled it in. The kid caught everything thrown his way on the camp circuit and showed he can easily beat press coverage. <strong>Jason Moore, De La Salle, SR</strong> This young man is fun to watch in space and could make you miss in a phone booth. Moore is as explosive as they come and can cut on a dime. He’s a serious deep threat who can take the top off of any defense. Jason was outstanding when I saw him in-person and showed he’s an elite slot receiver. He’s got a few FBS offers on the table but is still uncommitted. I think coaches are going to be flocking to him this off-season trying to acquire his services. <em><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>TE</strong></span> </em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="65179" first="Ryan" last="Orput"], Hinsdale Central, SR</strong> A big kid who can straight-up run! I had no idea who Orput was a few months ago, but all this kid has done this off-season is show up at camps and show out. He runs route like a wide receiver and will catch the ball away from his body. He’s got quick feet and can get off a jam if split out wide. If he shows this winter that he can go inside and block inline, you’re looking at an FBS kid. <img class="alignnone wp-image-57635" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Ryan-Orput-300x278.jpg" alt="" width="377" height="349" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20276" first="Cole" last="Rusk"], Rock Island, SR</strong> I saw Cole at the LPI showcase and was so impressed by this kid. He can get out at the top of his route and showed excellent body control. The kid adjusted to everything thrown his way and beat DB’s &amp; linebackers during the 1 on 1 period. The kid is a serious mismatch in the redzone and will go up and get the football at its highest point. Rusk is committed to EMU, but I wouldn’t be shocked if a Power-Five school came in and tried to snag him away. <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><em><strong>OL</strong></em></span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20841" first="Miles" last="McVay"], East St. Louis, SO</strong> A massive human being that plays with a mean streak. I’ve seen Myles at multiple camps this off-season and have been so impressed by his competitiveness. This kid hates to lose and is always looking for ways to improve. Once he gets his hands on you, good luck because this young man has the power and strength to burry a defensive lineman. Myles has a very high ceiling and with him only being a sophomore, he’s only going to continue to develop. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20308" first="Sam" last="Buck"], Highland, SR</strong> I originally thought Sam was a defensive lineman before this camp season, but after seeing him, I now know he’s 100% a college guard. He’s quick of the ball and has a punch with some serious pop to it. This kid was the best offensive lineman at our camp, and just flat-out dominated everyone during the 1 on 1 period. He’s got a few FCS offers, but I think he’s a no brainer FBS talent. <img class=" wp-image-57639" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Sam-Buck-300x254.jpg" alt="" width="391" height="331" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20901" first="Jimmy" last="Liston"], Fenwick, JR</strong> Jimmy has been one of the top performers at every camp I’ve seen him at. He’ll mostly line up at center and shows a strong anchor against the bull rush. He plays with adequate hand placement and can adjust on the fly if his hands get too wide. He’s always consistent with the fundamentals during individual and plays with great knee drive in the double team drill. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="65428" first="Aidan" last="Tweedy"], Oswego, SR</strong> Tweedy is on here because I’ve been beyond impressed by his feet when I saw him in person. The kid is incredibly smooth in his pass set and can easily move laterally. This off-season, he even put on thirty pounds, going from 230 to 260. The talent was there on tape, he just needed to add weight, and now he has. I think he’s at worst case an FCS talent, but to be honest, he has FBS ability in my eyes. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20297" first="Saveyon" last="Henderson"], Crete Monee, SR</strong> When you turn on Henderson’s tape, you’ll see a raw offensive line prospect with a ton of upside. However, based on what I saw in person, he’s taken huge strides in his development. He’s playing with good knee bend, is patient as a pass protector, and isn’t just relying on just pure strength. I’m excited to see his senior tape because he’s developed more this off-season than anyone on this list. <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><em><strong>ATH</strong></em></span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="65576" first="Tyjuane" last="Stewart"], Kankakee, SR</strong> Stewart is just a downright playmaker who can play multiple positions on the field. Right now, he lines up behind center as a dual-threat quarterback. He can pull a zone-read and take it 50 yards to the house in the blink of an eye. He’s in sync with his wideouts and will drop the ball right into the breadbasket. I will say, though, I think his future is as a slot receiver; the kid is just beyond shifty and has the speed to run right by you.