Illinois Class of 2022 Film Analysis: Round 1
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Today, I have my first round of film analysis! After 2 weeks of watching film sent to me on twitter, I have put together a strong first group of 9 players below that all play football in the state of…
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Continue ReadingToday, I have my first round of film analysis! After 2 weeks of watching film sent to me on twitter, I have put together a strong first group of 9 players below that all play football in the state of Illinois and are a part of the 2022 football class. The film collected and scouted were sent to me on twitter either by the players below, or their football coach. I spend time going through each of the athletes’ Hudl accounts and then provide a scouting report of the strongest traits I believe each player has that will be illustrated in camps this summer, along with the upcoming season! For any athletes looking to have their film reviewed, or know anyone who would like to, and be included in the next article please feel free to send it to myself on Twitter at @_D3BO or the Prep Redzone Illinois account @PrepRedzoneIL! This isn’t just for the Class of 2022 either. If you play high school football in Illinois, or anywhere else you qualify! I will make each analysis on a state by state basis, so stay put if you send me film and are not from Illinois. There will be many scouting reports for every class level and state. Enjoy!
Trey Johnson- WR/RB-Lincoln Way East Highschool
Trey Johnson is a pure athlete, who in his carrier has taken snaps from every position on the offense, except offensive line. In the spring season, most of his snaps were at TE and WR. At 6’1” 180, it was impressive how well he was able to play the Tight end position. As a receiving threat, Trey runs smooth routes and has soft hands. In and out of breaks, he knows and understands how to accelerate to leave defenders. He’s also does a great job at high pointing passes. As a blocker, Trey is good as any receiver in the state. He stays low, fires out, and doesn’t stop his feet on contact. Both at receiver and tight end this season, Trey made life difficult for defensive backs and linebackers who were not ready to play. Trey is a name that will start to gain more and more noise this summer and into the fall season. I am a big fan, and excited to his growth. Check out his junior film.
Hayden Timosciek-QB-Lockport Highschool
Hayden is a mountain of a player at 6’7” 230 pounds. He is the tallest high school prospect that I have covered in my film analysis series thus far. Hayden is a quarterback that has great feet, ball placement, and arm strength. Usually at the high school level, 6’7” players are not very coordinated and slower. Hayden isn’t close to any of those things. In his film, Hayden seems comfortable moving within the pocket, and throwing on the run. There are also clips of him running the football on designed run/read option plays. What impressed me the most with Hayden, was the delivery of his throws when he sets feet out of his drop. Hayden throws a pretty ball that has great velocity and placed in such a way to protect the skill positions who were catching the ball. I believe that Hayden has all the tools to become one of the top quarterbacks in Illinois. He is someone that everyone should keep a close watch on throughout this summer and into his senior season this fall. Check him out here!
Justin Thomas-DE Homewood Flossmoor Highschool
Justin has just come off of an all-conference season, and he is nothing short of a BEAST. He is a strong 6’3” 240 pounds that played majority of his snaps as a defensive end in a 3-3 stack scheme. Justin plays with a low center of gravity and a relentless motor. There are many times in film where he gets off of the line and explodes through the ball carrier and not hesitate or wait for the tackle. He does very well with his hand placement coming off of the ball, which helps and explains why his bull rush is so effective. He has been well coached, and I am excited to see how far he can go this fall! This is someone who will continue to garner collegiate attention. Watch his film here!
Xavier Slayton Xavier Slayton 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Crete Monee | 2022 State IL -DL/OT- Crete Monee
Xavier Slayton Xavier Slayton 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Crete Monee | 2022 State IL is a player who should be on watch in the development of his game for his senior year. At 6’3” 240 pounds, he was a true anchor for Crete-Monee Highschool this spring. He played most of his reps as a 5-technique defensive end, but also took snaps as a LT for the offensive line. On defense, Xavier does a great job being patient and playing his gap. He does not rush a play or try to be the hero, leading to cutback lanes that could hurt his team. As an offensive lineman, Xavier has strong hands. You can tell that he makes the best of his athleticism carried over from being a Defensive end. Once he gets his hands in position, he uses his strength to maul players that lineup across from him. It will be interesting to see if he continues to play both ways for his senior season, or if he decides to stick with one position. Regardless of what happens, the versatility and conditioning to play both sides of the ball will be great for Xavier’s recruiting process. Watch this 2-way lineman here!
Conor Paris-LB/S-Fenwick
Conor is the only prospect through this first round of film analysis that currently plays for Fenwick high school, that’s a part of the Chicago Catholic League White division. He currently is a 3-sport athlete and is a well put together 6’0” 205. I can say that I am a fan of his film. Connor has great instincts as a linebacker, and a nose for the football. He punishes those that he makes contact with, and his wrestling backround is seen with the form he uses to bring players down. It was good to see that Connor is versatile and was used as both and Inside and Outside linebacker during this spring season. There are times in the film where it looks like offensive players have an opening or ready to break a big run, and Conor is hawking them down to secure the tackle. He is a true athlete whose instincts helped him accumulate 12 TFL’s. You can see this defensive playmaker here!
Jack Tremblay Jack Tremblay 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Lincoln Way East | 2022 State IL – WR-Lincoln Way East Highschool
If you get caught flat footed or with your eyes in the backfield, Jack will end up celebrating in your endzone. At 6’1” 190, Jack is an explosive athlete that has already started to garner some attention. He has a great burst off of the line, and at the top of his routes. All that being said, Jack still illustrates his ability in blocking downfield. There are clips where he will take defenders to the ground while blocking if they don’t match his aggressiveness or are caught toff balance while trying to guard the deep ball. With what Jack put on tape this spring; he seems to be preparing himself for a breakout senior season this fall! He has the tools to compete and beat any db he will lineup against this fall. Look at his junior film here!
Mack Indestad Mack Indestad 6'6" | 265 lbs | OL Lemont | 2022 State IL -OL-Lemont Highschool (@mack_indestad)
Mack is an Offensive tackle who has the ability to be special. He has an impressive build of 6’6” 265 pounds. He’s someone whose film has not been viewed nearly enough. He took most of his snaps at left tackle and held his own against every opponent that they matched up against this spring. On most of the goal line clips, his team seemed to run the ball off of him every time. This is a testament of his ability to down block and win one on one matches in the tranches. Another great thing watching Mack’s film, is his ability to climb to the second level. Mack shows his ability to move and block in space multiple times throughout his tape. Every time he engages in a block, he is playing up and sometimes through the whistle. Colleges should all be taking a look at what Mack has to offer. Here’s his tape!
Ty ‘The Russian’ Hopp- LB/SS – Aurora Central Catholic
After watching his film, I am a big fan of Ty. He is a ball player who’s at a great build of 6’0” 210. He plays everywhere. One play he’s playing the run at mike linebacker. Another play he’s on the line of scrimmage as a standup end, blitzing. Then there’s times that he’s playing safety or as a skill position on the offensive side of the ball. Within the box, Ty always has his feet moving and running laterally. If he’s lined up as an outside linebacker or stand up end, he is disciplined in his ability to set and hold the edge. One thing that really stood out to me, is Ty’s ability to blitz. Blitzing is something that needs both patience and quick twitch ability. Ty has them both, which has led to him accumulating 10 TFL’s in his spring season. He checks off all the boxes of a linebacker you want. Check him out!
Michael Cardili- DE-Lincoln Way East Highschool
Michael Cardili stands at a 6’2” 210 Defensive End. He put together a successful junior year primarily playing the 5 and 7 technique. With that, he has the athleticism and build to play both inside as a 3 technique, or as an outside linebacker. Watching his film, Michael has quick hands, good bend, and a great swim move. He plays his gap well, and he runs to the football. You love to see that in players no matter what position they play on defense. Michaels biggest strength is his versatility. Lincoln way didn’t commit to keeping him in one spot, or side of the field. I believe this always is something major for young players, so they can become even more of a terror as they develop. I’ll be excited and more interested to see how he delivers as a full-time starter for his senior year. I believe he will end up being an all-conference player. He very well is someone you will want to know come this fall! You can see his Spring junior season here!