7A All-State Team: Offense Edition

Continuing the All-State offensive series we’re taking a look at 7A Football throughout the state of Illinois. I have gone through over 200 players to determine the first team, second team, and honorable mention. Without further ado, let’s dive into the 7A All-State Team – Offensive Edition. <hr /> First Team QB [player_tooltip player_id="20217" first="Justin" last="Lynch"] 21’ Mt Carmel HS <a href="https://twitter.com/justinlynch001">Twitter</a> Mr. Lynch is from Mt Carmel, he puts the ball in the receiver’s basket and plays through contact by lowering his shoulder to run defenders over. He can make throws outside the numbers showcasing his arm strength, make throws in tight windows, and goes through his progressions. Mr. Lynch uses his pocket footwork to extend plays once the pocket has collapsed to find his teammates’ downfield by getting the ball off under pressure. His mobility comes to light when he runs the read-option which is also where his quick acceleration comes to light, can throw on the run, and runs RPOs where he gets the ball out quickly. QB [player_tooltip player_id="65087" first="Parker" last="Brown"] 21’ Wheaton Warrenville South HS <a href="https://twitter.com/parkerbrown1515">Twitter</a> Mr. Brown is from Wheaton Warrenville South, he can scramble showcasing his mobility and plays through contact by not being afraid to lower his shoulder. He gets the ball off under pressure, can put zip on the ball, and gets the ball out quickly by running RPOs. Mr. Brown uses his pocket footwork to extend plays by finding his teammates’ downfield and makes throws with all types of arm angles when he throws on the run. He makes throws in tight windows, escapes pocket pressure, and showcases effort by sprinting downfield after he hands off the ball to block for his teammate (evidently enough pancakes the defender). RB [player_tooltip player_id="65566" first="Luke" last="Zardzin"] 21’ Prospect HS <a href="https://twitter.com/LZardzin24">Twitter</a> Mr. Zardin is from Prospect, he’s an N/S runner who plays through contact by breaking arm tackles and has quick acceleration. His elusiveness comes to light by making the first defender miss, fights for extra yards by keeping his feet driving, and has the vision to see cutback lanes. Mr. Zardin can also catch coming out of the backfield and once he secures the catch he turns upfield showcasing his playmaking abilities not only in the ground game but also in the air attack as well. RB Denhim Betney 21’ Glenbard North HS <a href="https://twitter.com/DenhimB">Twitter</a> Mr. Betney is from Glenbard North, he’s an N/S runner that has quick acceleration and uses this speed to blow by the 2nd level of defenders. He plays through contact by fighting for extra yards, reads blocks well, and makes the first defender miss showcasing his elusiveness. Mr. Betney breaks arm tackles, has a good change of direction where he can stop on a dime then get back to full speed quickly, and can catch out of the backfield. Once he secures the catch he plants his foot to turn upfield showcasing his playmaking abilities in the air, ground, and return game. WR [player_tooltip player_id="20254" first="Jaali" last="Parker"] 21’ Mt Carmel HS <a href="https://twitter.com/Jaali19Parker">Twitter</a> Mr. Parker is from Mt Carmel, he makes contested catches by high pointing the ball and is a deep threat. He has fast feet when pressed to stack the defender setting up the break at the top of the route to create separation from the defender and he works back towards the ball. Mr. Parker plays through contact by breaking arm tackles, adjusts to back-shoulder throws, and blocks downfield. He has good route running and runs a deadly double move that gets him open consistently. WR [player_tooltip player_id="20884" first="Ben" last="Clawson"] 22’ Hersey HS <a href="https://twitter.com/bclawson33">Twitter</a> Mr. Clawson is from Hersey, he reads blocks well and has quick acceleration which he uses to blow by the 2nd level of defenders. He is a deep threat that makes contested catches by high pointing the ball, uses a toe tap for sideline grabs (as well as in the endzone), and finds soft spots in the defense. Mr. Clawson runs jet sweeps where he blows by the 2nd level of defenders with his speed, turns upfield once he secures the catch, and is a playmaker in both the air and ground attack. WR [player_tooltip player_id="20885" first="Toriano" last="Tate"] 22’ Dekalb HS <a href="https://twitter.com/TorianoTate">Twitter</a> Mr. Tate is from Dekalb, he’s quick off the line of scrimmage and is a deadly return man as well. He makes contested catches by high pointing the ball, plays through contact by breaking arm tackles, and fights for extra yards by keeping his feet driving. Mr. Tate runs jet sweeps where he reads his blocks well, finds soft spots in the defense, and gets upfield quickly after securing the catch. WR [player_tooltip player_id="20878" first="Tyler" last="Morris"] 22’ Nazareth Academy <a href="https://twitter.com/tylermorris2503">Twitter</a> Mr. Morris is from Nazareth Academy, he’s a deep threat that’s quick off the line of scrimmage and is a playmaker for his team. He makes contested catches by high pointing the ball and plays through contact by keeping his feet driving to fight for extra yards. Mr. Morris gets upfield after securing the catch and makes the first defender miss showcasing his elusiveness. TE [player_tooltip player_id="65236" first="Tyson" last="Splinter"] 21’ Prospect HS <a href="https://twitter.com/TysonSplinter">Twitter</a> Mr. Splinter is from Prospect, he’s quick off the line of scrimmage and plays through the whistle. He makes contested catches by high pointing the ball, blocks downfield which results in pancaking defender, and has a good break at the top of the route to create separation from the defender. OL Enrique Cruz 21’ Willobrook HS <a href="https://twitter.com/Enriquecruzz1">Twitter</a> Mr. Cruz is from Willowbrook, he gets to 2nd level blocks and plays through the whistle. He blocks in open space, holds one on one in pass pro forcing the outside rush, and picks up stunts in pass pro as well. Mr. Cruz gets after it by keeping his feet driving which results in defenders being pancaked showcasing his aggressiveness. OL [player_tooltip player_id="20298" first="Jackson" last="Heeringa"] 21’ Batavia HS <a href="https://twitter.com/JacksonHeeringa">Twitter</a> Mr. Heeringa is from Batavia, he gets hands-on quickly and creates running lanes when doing so. He gets to the 2nd level blocks, washes the d-line down, and plays through the whistle. Mr. Heeringa keeps his feet driving resulting in pancaking the defender, holds one on one in pass pro, and gets after it showcasing his aggressiveness. OL [player_tooltip player_id="65437" first="Ryan" last="Gudaitis"] 21’ Hersey HS <a href="https://twitter.com/Ryan_Gudaitis_">Twitter</a> Mr. Guidaitis is from Hersey, he fires off the ball getting hands-on quickly, and plays through the whistle. He creates running lanes by washes the d-line down, blocking in open space, and getting to 2nd level blocks. Mr. Guidaitis showcases his aggressiveness by keeping his feet driving resulting in defenders being pancakes and holding his own one-on-one in pass pro. OL Jarek Slavin 21’ Yorkville HS <a href="https://twitter.com/SlavinJarek">Twitter</a> Mr. Slavin is from Yorkville, he creates running lanes when pulling, gets to 2nd level blocks, and plays through the whistle. He fires off the ball where he gets hands-on quickly and gets after it. Mr. Slavin blocks in open space, washes the d-line down, and keeps his feet driving to pancake defenders. OL Paulie Robertson 22’ Glenbard North HS <a href="https://twitter.com/PRobertson67">Twitter</a> Mr. Robertson is from Glenbard North and he plays through the whistle. He creates running lanes when pulling, gets hands-on quickly, and is aggressive. Mr. Robertson gets to 2nd level blocks, washes the d-line down, and holds one on one in pass pro. He gets after it by keeping his feet driving to pancake the defenders and gets after it. Second Team QB [player_tooltip player_id="65706" first="Aidan" last="Pieper"] 22’ Nazareth Academy <a href="https://twitter.com/PieperAidan">Twitter</a> Mr. Pieper is from Nazareth Academy, he gets the ball off under pressure and can put zip on the ball. He makes level 1 2 & 3 throws, has a touch on the deep ball, and puts the ball in the receiver’s basket. Mr. Pieper uses his pocket footwork to extend plays where he finds the open man downfield, can throw on the run, and gets the ball off under pressure by putting zip on the ball. QB [player_tooltip player_id="20227" first="Blake" last="Ellingson"] 21’ Libertyville HS <a href="https://twitter.com/blake_ellingson">Twitter</a> Mr. Ellingson is from Libertyville, he’s mobile showcasing his quick acceleration, and isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder resulting in breaking arm tackles. He makes level 3 throws putting it in the receiver’s basket, runs the read-option, and can throw on the run. Mr. Ellingson uses his pocket footwork to evade pocket pressure where he finds the open man downfield and is a player in both offensive attacks. RB [player_tooltip player_id="20242" first="Nate" last="Thomas"] 21’ Thornwood HS <a href="https://twitter.com/NateTheeGreat28">Twitter</a> Mr. Thomas is from Thornwood, he’s an N/S runner who plays through contact by breaking arm tackles and has quick acceleration. He fights for extra yards by keeping his feet driving, reads blocks well, and has the vision to see the cutback lanes. Mr. Thomas is explosive which goes hand in hand with his playmaking abilities as showcased with his jump cuts and bursting through the line of scrimmage once he gets the ball. RB [player_tooltip player_id="65522" first="Jack" last="Dwyer"] 21’ Lake Zurich HS <a href="https://twitter.com/jackdwyer27">Twitter</a> Mr. Dwyer from Lake Zurich, he reads his blocks well and has quick acceleration on top of it. He plays through contact by breaking arm tackles, makes the first defender miss showcasing his elusiveness, and has the vision to see cutback lanes. Mr. Dwyer has the speed to burst past the 2nd level of defenders, can catch out of the backfield, and has playmaking abilities that come to light in both offensive attacks. WR Brandon Bell 22’ Wheaton Warrenville South HS <a href="https://twitter.com/brandonb_jr">Twitter</a> Mr. Bell is from Wheaton Warrenville South, he’s a deep threat that’s quick off the line of scrimmage and blocks downfield. Once he secures the catch he gets upfield, makes catch in traffic, and works back to the ball. Mr. Bell is elusive where he makes the first defender miss, has a good break at the top of the route creating separation from the defender, and gets open during the QB scramble drill. He also blocks downfield where he keeps his feet driving to pancake the defender and is a playmaker for this offense. WR [player_tooltip player_id="20267" first="Ayden" last="Anderson"] 21’ Buffalo Grove HS <a href="https://twitter.com/aydennandersonn">Twitter</a> Mr. Anderson is from Buffalo Grove, he’s a deep threat that’s quick off the line of scrimmage and blocks downfield. He makes contested catches by high pointing the ball, has quick feet when pressed, and plays through contact by breaking arm tackles. Once Mr. Anderson secures the catch he plants his foot to turn upfield, has a good break at the top of the route creating separation from the defender, and finds the soft spot in the defense. He reads his blocks well, has quick acceleration, and is aggressive. WR Kaleb Clousing 21’ Wheaton Warrenville South HS <a href="https://twitter.com/kalebclousing21">Twitter</a> Mr. Clousing is from Wheaton Warrenville South, he’s quick off the line of scrimmage and is a deep threat with his quick acceleration. Once he secures the catch he plants his foot to turn upfield, makes contested catches by high pointing the ball, and makes the catch in traffic. Mr. Clouing has good route running (especially his double move), has a good break at the top of the route to create separation from the defender, and uses his toe tap to secure the sideline grabs. During the QB scramble drill he gets himself open, blocks downfield, and is a playmaker for this offense. WR [player_tooltip player_id="65232" first="Daniel" last="Sobkowicz"] 21’ Rolling Meadows HS <a href="https://twitter.com/Dsob3L">Twitter</a> Mr.Sobkowicz is from Rolling Meadows, he’s a deep threat that’s quick off the line of scrimmage. He makes contested catches by high pointing the ball, has a good break at the top of his route creating separation from the defender, and gets upfield after securing the catch. Mr. Sobkowicz has good route running that he uses to break the defender off at the top of the route, blocks downfield, and reads his blocks well with his playmaking abilities. TE [player_tooltip player_id="65479" first="Jack" last="Valente"] 21’ Batavia HS <a href="https://twitter.com/JackValente_88">Twitter</a> Mr. Valente is from Batavia, he’s used in both the pass and ground attack. He creates running lanes by pancaking defenders, gets to 2nd level blocks, and blocks in open space as a lead blocker. Once Mr. Valente secures the catch he plants his foot to turn upfield getting extra yards after catch by playing through contact. OL [player_tooltip player_id="65793" first="Gabriel" last="Krahn"] 21’ Mt Carmel HS <a href="https://twitter.com/KrahnGabe">Twitter</a> Mr. Krahn is from Mt Carmel, he gets hands-on quickly and fires off the ball. He creates running lanes by working up to the 2nd level blocks, washing the d-line down, and keeping his feet driving resulting in pancakes. Mr. Krahn also gets it done in the passing game by holding his own one-on-one in pass pro and plays through the whistle. OL Adam Winistorfer 21’ Andrew HS <a href="https://twitter.com/awini55">Twitter</a> Mr. Winistorfer is from Andrew, he gets to the 2nd level blocks and washes the d-line down. He creates running lanes when pulling, keeps his feet driving resulting in pancaking the defenders, and holds his own one-on-one in pass pro. Mr. Winistrofer gets after it by playing through the whistle and is aggressive in his playstyle. OL Eddie Palomado 21’ Mt Carmel HS <a href="https://twitter.com/EddiePalomado">Twitter</a> Mr. Palomado is from Mt Carmel, he creates running lanes when pulling and fires off of the ball. He washes the d-line down and keeps his feet driving resulting in pancaking defenders. Mr. Palomado is aggressive, he gets after it and plays through the whistle. OL [player_tooltip player_id="120895" first="Grayson" last="Dexter"] 22’ Bradley Bourbonnais HS <a href="https://twitter.com/GDexter2022">Twitter</a> Mr. Dexter is from Bradley Bourbonnais, he creates running lanes and keeps his feet driving resulting in pancaking defenders. He washes the d-line down, blocks in open space (where he also pancakes defenders), and holds his own one-on-one in pass pro forcing the outside rush. Mr. Dexter gets his hands on quickly and gets to 2nd level blocks. OL [player_tooltip player_id="65457" first="Ian" last="Erickson"] 21’ St Charles North HS <a href="https://twitter.com/ian_erickson18">Twitter</a> Mr. Erickson is from St Charles North, he creates running lanes by pulling and plays through the whistle. He gets to 2nd level blocks, washes the d-line down, and keeps his feet driving resulting in pancaking defenders. Mr. Erickson gets after it and is aggressive in his playstyle. Honorable Mention QB [player_tooltip player_id="20866" first="Nashon" last="Johnson"] 22’ Eisenhower HS <a href="https://twitter.com/nashonjohnson5">Twitter</a> QB [player_tooltip player_id="133261" first="Jimmy" last="Makuh"] 22’ Hersey HS <a href="https://twitter.com/jimmy_makuh">Twitter</a> QB Luke Davies 21’ Yorkville HS <a href="https://twitter.com/Luke_Davies09">Twitter</a> QB Christian Perez 22’ Grant HS <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisPerez_07">Twitter</a> QB James Cooper 21’ Harlem HS <a href="https://twitter.com/cooperjr_18">Twitter</a> QB [player_tooltip player_id="20230" first="Alex" last="Moeller"] 21’ Prospect HS <a href="https://twitter.com/2Amoeller">Twitter</a> QB [player_tooltip player_id="20863" first="Mark" last="Forcucci"] 22’ Wheaton North HS <a href="https://twitter.com/ForcucciMark">Twitter</a> QB Alec Ponder 22’ Moline HS <a href="https://twitter.com/AlecPonder">Twitter</a> QB [player_tooltip player_id="20224" first="Trenton" last="Kyler"] 21’ Dekalb HS <a href="https://twitter.com/trenton_kyler">Twitter</a> QB [player_tooltip player_id="65077" first="Jalen" last="Cunningham"] 21’ Thornwood HS <a href="https://twitter.com/JalenCunningh15">Twitter</a> QB Caige Williams 22’ Bradley Bourbonnais HS <a href="https://twitter.com/CaigeWilliams">Twitter</a> QB Nick Bafia 21’ Benet Academy <a href="https://twitter.com/nickbafia5">Twitter</a> QB Turner Doran 21’ Lincoln-Way Central HS <a href="https://twitter.com/turnerdoran1">Twitter</a> RB [player_tooltip player_id="65464" first="Josh" last="Bridges"] 21’ St Charles North HS <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshBridges13">Twitter</a> RB Josh Brown 22’ Willowbrook HS RB Eddie Robinson 21’ Wheaton Warrenville South HS <a href="https://twitter.com/EddieRobinson04">Twitter</a> RB Brayton Maske 22’ Wheaton North HS <a href="https://twitter.com/BraytonMaske">Twitter</a> RB [player_tooltip player_id="20934" first="Justin" last="Harris"] 22’ Lincoln-Way West HS <a href="https://twitter.com/Justinharris114">Twitter</a> RB [player_tooltip player_id="20839" first="Kaleb" last="Miller"] 23’ Nazareth Academy HS <a href="https://twitter.com/KalebMiller_">Twitter</a> RB Ethan Rossow 21’ Lincoln-Way Central HS <a href="https://twitter.com/EthanRossow3">Twitter</a> RB Jonathan Davis 21’ Thornton HS Twitter RB [player_tooltip player_id="65565" first="John" last="Bolton"] 21’ Grant HS <a href="https://twitter.com/john_bolton4">Twitter</a> WR Frank Covey 23’ Prospect HS <a href="https://twitter.com/FrankCovey6">Twitter</a> WR Pasquale Dellaquilla 21’ Buffalo Grove HS <a href="https://twitter.com/pdell2003">Twitter</a> WR Charlie Graefen 21’ Lincoln-Way Central HS <a href="https://twitter.com/charliegraefen">Twitter</a> WR [player_tooltip player_id="20255" first="Trey" last="Urwiler"] 21’ Batavia HS <a href="https://twitter.com/iam_TreyUrwiler">Twitter</a> WR [player_tooltip player_id="65233" first="Noah" last="Marx"] 21’ Prospect HS <a href="https://twitter.com/NoahMarx02">Twitter</a> WR Dominic McCarren 21’ Harlem HS <a href="https://twitter.com/MccarrenDominic">Twitter</a> WR Grant Alexander 21’ Thornton HS <hr /> There is an abundance of talented athletes in 7A Football throughout the state of Illinois. That being said, this is your 7A Football All-State Team Offensive Edition. I wish all of the seniors the best on their journey after they graduate high school. There’s still work left to do for the juniors and sophomores, and I’m excited to watch you all compete. Be sure to follow @jamaskane regarding news & information for Illinois High School Football, @PrepRedzoneIL, and @PrepRedzone.