Throw It Deep Sunday morning workout: Best pass catchers
This past Sunday morning, a large group of quarterbacks and receivers woke up at the crack of dawn and headed out to the Sports Zone in Aurora to get a workout in. The group of coaches led by Jeff Christensen…
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Continue ReadingThis past Sunday morning, a large group of quarterbacks and receivers woke up at the crack of dawn and headed out to the Sports Zone in Aurora to get a workout in. The group of coaches led by Jeff Christensen coached up a very impressive group of players. Already I reviewed the best quarterbacks in attendance and now it’s time for the best pass-catchers.
2021 Tight end Kamrin Hutt, Maine West (6’2” and 227lbs) @HuttKamrin
Another guy with plenty of talent to help a team at the next level that is getting lost in Illinois spring football season. Hutt went unsigned but has the size and ability to be a very solid receiving tight end. A great get off the line, strong at the point of attack against smaller defensive backs, Hutt can be a matchup nightmare if he stands up against a nickel corner.
Great frame and ability shown by @HuttKamrin He’s still unsigned @ThrowItDeep pic.twitter.com/NJ7nC46mwa
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) March 9, 2021
Hutt has good hands, never let the ball get to his body always using his big hands to catch the ball. There’s plenty of speed there as well, he could be a very good redzone threat also. Hutt needs to find a home, he’s got enough talent to help out plenty of teams.
2021 wide receiver Cole Jackson (6’2” and 175lbs) @colejacksonnn
Add Jackson to the list of players who would have had more scholarship opportunities had Illinois kept a fall schedule. The frame is great, although he could add on a few more pounds while still keeping his speed and athleticism. Jackson has great body control, he made a very impressive one-handed catch that stood out like a sore thumb. A very precise route runner, Jackson uses his frame well and has a big time catch radius. Currently his intentions are to walk-on at Iowa State, due to getting some scholarship money on the academic side, so qualifying isn’t a question. Jackson also sports offers from Millikin Univerity, Loras College and University of Dubuque, but the situation has yet to play out to commit to a school. He’s more than talented enough to help out a program, like Hutt, Jackson needs to find a football home.
2021 Wide receiver Wayne Arnold, home school (6’3” and 205lbs) @WayneArnoldJr1
Arnold’s story is interesting, after playing at Proviso East, he decided to be home schooled, thus not having a home for the 2021 season. That shouldn’t mean that Arnold should fall by the wayside, he’s got the talent to be a factor at the next level. Great size with a frame that is already filled out, Arnold is a matchup nightmare.
Cant let ‘21 WR @WayneArnoldJr1 fall through the cracks, he’s got plenty of ability to help a team @ThrowItDeep pic.twitter.com/OjY2iNo7FZ
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) March 9, 2021
Not a burner, Arnold could eventually become a tight end due to his strong and athletic frame. With the lack of tape, he is most likely going to go the JUCO route, but if I was a D2 school, taking a flier on him makes all the sense in the world.
2022 wide receiver Noah Verbrick, Lane Tech (6’1” an 190lbs) @NVerbrick
Due to family circumstances, Verbrick did not play football last year, so he’s a bit of an unknown commodity. What I saw was an impressive display of body control, speed and hands, that after a good junior year, should put him on the map for multiple schools.
Family first is a great quality from @NVerbrick but he’s also got some skills @ThrowItDeep pic.twitter.com/1YZzbquvc8
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) March 9, 2021
A good frame that is already very muscular, Verbrick used that to his advantage over weaker defenders. He high points balls well, as his athleticism stands out. Once he gets more tape, Verbrick is going to be a name that many schools will have to add to their recruiting boards.
2022 Tight end Jacob Whiting Jacob Whiting 6'3" | 200 lbs | DL Stevenson | 2022 State IL , Stevenson (6’3” and 200lbs) @JacobRWhiting
A great looking tight end prospect, with a wrestling background that will only help his blocking acumen. Whiting isn’t a field stretching player, more of a possession tight end who will get you the tough yards. He runs routes well and has good hands, he adjusts to the ball very well in he air.
Good looking tight end prospect @JacobRWhiting @ThrowItDeep pic.twitter.com/dWbu1nl4IY
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) March 9, 2021
The frame is over solid, Whiting will be able to add more weight over the next few months before his senior season arrives. This coming spring will be an interesting one for Whiting, if he has a good performance, his recruiting interest should increase.
2022 Running back Joshua Brown, Willowbrook (5’8” and 195lbs) @Joshua74748359
I haven’t seen Brown since the summer, but each time I have seen him he’s impressed. Physically, there aren’t many players out there that look like Brown does, extremely muscular. As a running back with a group of receivers, he was obviously there to work on his hands, which have gotten better since I had last seen him. It’s hard to judge a back at events like these, but Brown is a solid player who with a big junior year could make a lot of waves.
2023 Wide receiver Grant Larkin, Nequa Valley (6’ and 175lbs) @GrantLarkin1
The most impressive receiver in attendance, Larkin has a great frame, especially his lower half. He will add on more weight to his upper-body, which will help against corners who will try and press him. The problem is, Larkin has the speed to get by those defenders, so getting up in his face might not be their best idea.
Add another name to the impressive ‘23 class 👉🏼 @GrantLarkin1 pic.twitter.com/NbhoeaA1l3
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) March 9, 2021
The skill set is what you’re looking for with precise route running, great in and out of his breaks and very strong hands. His catch radius is impressive as well, rarely did he let a ball get to his body to make a catch. Right now Larkin is flying under the radar, but in a few weeks once teams see what kind of player he’s developed into, multiple schools will start to take notice.