EDGY MLK Underclassmen Showcase: 2023s That Came to Play

Today we will be taking a look at the 2023’s in attendance in EDGY’s MLK Underclassmen Showcase on Monday. It was a first-hand look at the sophomore class that has dominant players. Here are the 2023s that came to play. <hr /> OL <img class=" wp-image-97884 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/B77BBB3B-40D6-421D-A831-FE4B9D700E08-e1611101929342-300x196.jpeg" alt="" width="279" height="182" /> [player_tooltip player_id="20841" first="Miles" last="McVay"] @McVayMiles - East St. Louis: McVay is a dominant player in his class and in the overall showcase. He held his own in one on ones winning a majority of his reps showcasing his dominant skillset. Miles stays in front of the defensive lineman whether it’s against a bull rush, swim move, speed rush, etc. He moves his feet well and is able to neutralize the pass rush. Miles is a dominant player that has already gotten interest from D1 schools, expect this to continue heading into the season. [player_tooltip player_id="20847" first="Jacob" last="Welch"] @JacobWelch75 - Johnsburg: Welch played Varsity as a freshman last season and had a good showing at the showcase. He kept his feet driving not allowing the pass rush to get past him and even pancaked defenders a few times. Welch has a high upside and is one to keep an eye on as he develops further, he has the size to play at the next level now it’s more of honing his craft over these next few years and getting exposure. DL Brooks Bahr @BrooksBahr99 - Loyol[player_tooltip player_id="96237" first="a" last="a"]cademy: Bahr had himself a day during one on one’s, he has a nasty bull rush simply overpowering the offensive lineman to get into the backfield and has a swim move that gets him past the o-lineman in a heartbeat. Bahr is one of the best d-lineman that I’ve seen in the class of 2023 so far and will be a dominant force on the defensive line this upcoming season. Keep an eye on this kid, he has the potential to be a Power 5 player with further development. <img class="wp-image-69571 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/IMG-3824-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="146" /> Tyson Beck @TysonBeck13 - Homewood-Flossmoor: I’ve seen Beck over film and at a previous showcase, he showed out again Monday where he not only went up against the 2023’s but also against the 2022’s. Beck is another top defensive lineman in the class of 2023 that has a quick pass rush where he stays low to the ground and has a nice use of hands to get past the o-lineman. He will get his fair share of offers in due time, he’s more than capable of playing at the next level. <img class="wp-image-97778 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/09005095-3183-41C8-BBC0-FCA719F5DFB2-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="120" height="160" /> Danny Novickas @DNovickas_2023 - Mt. Carmel: Novickas was a surprise at the showcase, it was the first time I’ve seen him in action (film or in-person) and I don’t know how I didn’t know about him heading into the showcase. He’s a dominant pass rusher that got past the o-lineman on more than one occasion with his speed rush and nice use of his hands. Keep an eye on his development, he has a high upside and was a sight to see Monday. TE Mack O’Halloran @MackOHalloran - Downers Grove South: O’Halloran can go up and make the contested catches and isn’t afraid of contact on his routes. He has a high upside which with further development will start getting more interest from the next level. He gets it done in the passing and running game where he also blocks downfield. Keep an eye on O’Halloran these next few years as he is set to have a breakout year. <img class="wp-image-67505 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/D4EECE7B-3166-4C7E-9D95-3A3DA9B13E0C-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="116" height="155" /> Nick Hawkins @Nick_Hawkinss - Lemont: Hawkins has started gaining attention from heading to showcases and demonstrating his skillset. He has great size for the position and has strong hands holding onto the ball when making contested catches. The one thing that he’s missing is the film for this season (there hasn’t been an Illinois season as of yet), once he has this he will start getting more interest from the next level. RB [player_tooltip player_id="39068" first="Trey" last="Gibson"] @treygibson_3 - Wheeler: This is the second time that I’ve seen Gibson in action at a showcase, as with the first showcase he is a dual-threat RB that gets it done in the running and passing game. He had 1,838 All-Purpose yards (1,569 rushing) this season and 26 touchdowns to go along with the yardage. Gipson got it done once again going up against the competition in his class. He is deadly in the running game and this transitions to the passing game as well where he runs fluid routes and can break the defender off creating separation. He currently has no offers, he’s good enough to play college football Gipson just needs the chance for a program to give him an opportunity to do so. <img class=" wp-image-57440 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Dawson-Piper-300x293.jpg" alt="" width="201" height="196" /> Dawson Piper @Dawson_Piper23 - Peotone: Piper is dominant in the running attack for Peotone, he is a hard runner with solid jump cuts and plays through contact. At the showcase, he was able to show his route running ability creating separation from defenders. Piper is able to plant his foot in the ground and change directions in a heartbeat without losing a big chunk of speed. During one on ones, he was able to get a solid stick at the top of his routes creating separation from the defender and making the catch. He has room to develop further and hone his craft, a name to keep an eye on with Peotone’s dominant running game attack over the next few years. LB Jake Scianna @JakeScianna - Lincoln-Way East: Scianna is known for his run-stopping abilities and dominant pass rush, it was nice to see another part of his game with his pass coverage. He has a fast read step that allows him to read the play quickly and stay with his man in pass coverage. Scianna is a versatile LB that gets in done in both the running and passing defense. He does need to develop further, he’s on the right path to play at the next level and there’s no doubt in my mind that he will do everything he can to make that happen. <img class=" wp-image-57661 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Tyler-Jansey-297x300.jpg" alt="" width="138" height="140" /> Tyler Jansey @TylerJansey - Batavia: Jansey played on Varsity his freshman year and attacks downhill in run support. At the showcase, he showed his coverage skills as well. He has the speed to stay with TE/RB’s on their routes and take a solid read step. Jansey still has room to improve and develop further, that being said he had a solid showing Monday as he hones his craft. QB Jack Hoeppel - Benet Academy: Hoeppel got it done at the showcase Monday, with the throws that I saw he was accurate in putting the ball in the WR basket. He does need further development to hone his craft, and he has a high upside along with having the deadly Benet WR’s to throw to will elevate his game. Lucas Proudfoot @lucasProudfoot2 - Providence Catholic: Proudfoot runs the read option and bootleg passes last season, it was nice to see how he throws with a straight dropback. He has arm talent that needs further development and can get the ball downfield. He’s a young QB with room to grow and hone his craft. DB <img class=" wp-image-57606 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Noah-Taylor-254x300.jpg" alt="" width="97" height="115" /> [player_tooltip player_id="65879" first="Noah" last="Taylor"] @nbt2234 - Lemont: Taylor has deadly speed which helps him stay with his man in coverage and get in position to make the play if he gets broken off the top of the route. At the showcase Monday, he was able to break up a few passes and fliped his hips well. He’s going to be a solid player moving forward for Lemont as he has untapped potential waiting to blossom. Kiwaun Davis @davis_kiwaun - Brother Rice: I’ve watched Davis over film previously and it was nice to see it first-hand. He has a fluid turn of the hips and stays with his man downfield in coverage. Davis has room to grow and hone his craft, as he develops further he’s going to be a name to watch for this Brother Rice team with weapons on both sides of the ball. WR <img class=" wp-image-57575 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Malik-Elzy-262x300.jpg" alt="" width="111" height="127" /> [player_tooltip player_id="20843" first="Malik" last="Elzy"] @elzy_malik - Simeon: Elzy can lineup outside or in the slot where he gets it done in both. He has strong hands to hang onto contested catches and runs fluid routes where he stacks the defenders to break them off creating separation. Elzy has room to grow and hone his craft which will gain interest at the next level. He’s a name to keep an eye on moving forward. Owen Takahashi @owen_takahashi - Benet Academy: Takahashi is a highly underrated WR with next-level speed burning corners on 9 routes and double moves. Takahashi has a high upside and raw potential, with further development as well as getting exposure there’s no doubt that he will be able to play at the next level. OL Notables: Nikolas Beiski - Lasalle Peru Township Ian Mutchler @IanMutchler - Morton Benjamin Buxa @BenjaminBuxa - Lakeside Lutheran Nicholas Rush - Nequa Valley Nate Compere @CompereNate - Crystal Lake Berylonte Shegog - Cahokia Collin Gerger @cgerger72 - St. Rita Cooper Starks @cooper_starks - North Mac Trenton VanBoening @TrentonVB23 - Libertyville Ben Wallace - Metamora Township Brandon Henderson - East St. Louis Jeremiah Hardnett @jeremiahHardne1 - O’Fallen Township Cannon Mackey @Cannon_M95 - Normal Community De’Eric Mister @DeEricMister - W. Side Leadership Academy DL Notables: Boston Bower @boston_bower - Huntley Gabriel Kiely @gabriel_kiely - Oswego East Andrew Laurich @AndrewLaurich - Yorkville Konnor Thompkins - King College Prep Dhruv Amin @d6amin - Glenbard North Roderick Pierce III @trey2023_ - Brother Rice Justin Amaskane @JustinAmaskane - Peotone Kalik Thompson @2kalik - Bolingbrook Chris Farrell @Chrisfarrell32 - Lisle Jack Stump - Morton Mirko Jaksic @mirkojaksic2 - Fenwick Soren Erickson @sorenerickson1 - St. Charles North Karl Schmalz @schmalz_karl - Notre Dame College Prep [player_tooltip player_id="37675" first="Tyler" last="Gant"] @TyGant44 - Christian Brothers College HS TE Notables: Robert Crump - Gurdon S. Hubbard Hyatt Timosciek @HyattTimosciek - Lockport Aiden Murphy - Hinsdale Central Ryan Turner - York RB Notables: Mike Barberi @BarberiMike - Victor J Andrew Nolan Perry - Genoa Kingston Riley Fuller - Moline CJ Seville @CJSeville26 - Lincoln-Way Central Marquise Palmer @cantstopsoup - East St. Louis Nolan Perry - Genoa Kingston Jackson Magad @MagadJackson - Maine South Payton Young @Payton_Young134 - Merrillville [player_tooltip player_id="37722" first="Keshawn" last="Ford"] @KeshawnFord2 - Trinity Catholic LB Notables: Kenneth Clark - Rich Township John Martin Jr @JohnMartinJr9 - Peoria Notre Dame David Loch @davidloch55 - York Emmanuel Richardson @Eman_5213 - Brother Rice QB Notables: Deuce Allaway @AllawayDeuce - Bishop McNamara Ian Wilson - Valparaiso Demir Ashiru @AshiruDemir - Plainfield North Samuel Cain @Cain_Sam3 - Richards Nolan Baudo @nolanbaudo - Marist Dominick Caruso - McHenry Wyatt Bohm @BohmWyatt - Mahomet Seymour Tre Jones - Montini Catholic Ryan Dawson @ryan_dawson24 - Downers Grove South Jay Zinnen - Woodstock N. Colt Michael @ColtMichael3 - De Smet Jesuit Ryan Prell @PrellRyan - Glenbard N. Jacob Donohue @jacobdonohue16 - Grayslake N. Liam Ludolph - Peoria Notre Dame Gavin Dooley @gavin_dooley - Minooka Keaton Pearce @KeatonPearce3 - Dunlap Ryan Prell @PrellRyan - Glenbard N. Elija Owens - Jacksonville James Hutchins @jhdistaso - Edwardsville Sayje Taylor @Sayje5- Mt. Vernon Jerry Kaminiski @jerrykaminski1 - Sun Prairie Matt Vezza @matt_vezza_9 - York Liam Ludolph - Peoria Notre Dame Dermot Smyth @Dermotsmyth6 - Marist Ashton Gondeck @AshtonGondeck - Carmel Catholic Parker Leise @LeiseParker - Creighton Prep Braiden Walwer @braiden_walwer - Watseka Anthony Picciolini @anthonypic2 - Benet Academy Evan Grazzini @evan_grazzini - York (Elmhurst) Cole Teschner @ColeTeschner - Montini Catholic Nigell Johnson @JohnsonNigell - Flint Carman Ainsworth [player_tooltip player_id="37360" first="Jake" last="Stewart"] - Washington Community [player_tooltip player_id="64005" first="Cadin" last="Olsen"] @CadinOlsen - Armstrong DB Notables: Joe Burke - Victor J Andrew Lawrence McConnell @luhlawrence32 - Cardinal Ritter Marvin Burks @marvinburks7 - Cardinal Ritter Malikh Riggins - Cardinal Ritter Timothy Durr - Leo CJ Seville @CJSeville26 - Lincoln-Way Central Qu’Shun Herron - Richards Khalil Tate - Kenwood Academy Calvin Lee - St. Rita Michael Tillman @Mike_Tillman20 - Cardinal Ritter Jacob May - Plainfield South [player_tooltip player_id="37688" first="Cameron" last="Wright"] @camjam1818 - Desmet WR Notables: Nicholas DeLoach - Cahokia Jake Metze @JakeMetze - Johnsburg Tyler Erkman @TylerErkman - Lake Zurich Devian Montgomery - East St. Louis Terangie Eskridge @terangie_jr - Richards Matt Moskal - Maine South Tyler Gains - Jefferson Charlie Newton @canewton40 - Walter Payton College Prep Joshua Gipson - Hillcrest Quenton Rogers @RogersQuenton - Mahomet Seymour Pierce Johnson - Creighton Prep Blake Schuette @SchuetteBlake - St. Charles East Grant Larkin @GrantLarkin1 - Neuqua Valley Charlie Specht @SpechtCharlie - York Anthony Lash Jr @Anthonylash10 - Mt. Vernon Kiefer Tarnoli - Sycamore Karsten Libby - Wheaton North Justin Taylor @__justintaylor - Nazareth Academy Gave Luttinen - Mt. Vernon Mason Tousignant @MasonTous - St. Charles East Katrina Lyons - Cahokia Luke Wallace @L_Wallace16 - Lemont Quinn Magee - Lyons Township Kelly Watson @Kellywatson_1 - York Ryan Boyd @iam_ryanboyd - East St. Louis Blake Matthews @Blake_Matthews1 - Carmel Fischer Davis @FischerJDavis1 - Mt. Vernon Kristian Gavric @GavricKristian - Libertyville Johnnie Robertson @Jonrobert067 - Glenbard North Trey Barrett III @Tr3yBarrettIII - Montini Catholic Judah Mallette @judah_mallette - Chicago Hope Academy [player_tooltip player_id="99471" first="Dakotah" last="Mayo"] @DakotahMayo - Christian Brothers College HS <hr /> These are the 2023’s that were in attendance for the MLK Underclassmen Showcase on Monday. For some, it was their first time being at a showcase and for others, it was another go around. Either way, the class of 2023 already has some dogs in it that are ready for the varsity competition. Keep an eye on this class, with further development, and getting their sophomore season under their belt (hopefully for the Illinois players) will progress them further and have guys blossom into their full potential.