Illinois Class of 2023 Film Analysis: Round 1
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Today, I have my first round of film analysis for the Illinois football class of 2023! In this article, I have 10 players below that all play football in the state of Illinois and are a part of the 2023…
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Continue ReadingToday, I have my first round of film analysis for the Illinois football class of 2023! In this article, I have 10 players below that all play football in the state of Illinois and are a part of the 2023 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 2023 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!
Da’kwan Phillips-ATH- Phillips Academy Highschool
Da’kwan is a player who stands at 5’10”/172 pounds and attends Phillips high school located in Chicago. He’s listed as an athlete who takes majority of his snaps at wide out and returner, but also takes snaps at the corner position. I enjoyed watching his film, as he high points the ball and has overall fun on the field. His greatest ability takes place with his body control and having the ball in the open field. Da’Kwan is electric when he catches the ball. It speaks to his ability to return kicks. When he gets the ball, it’s fun to see what he does in making people miss or simply out running them. He gets an interception, and instantly turns into a receiver when bringing the ball in for a house call. I’m sure that Da’Kwan will turn heads this fall and be a name that we start hearing throughout the city for the next two years. You can see his ability here!
Dalonte Butcher- DB- Montini Catholic Highschool
Dalonte is a sophomore who took varsity snaps this spring season in Illinois. He stands at a good size of 5’11”/170 pounds. Dalonte is listed as a DB/ATH but spent majority of his snaps playing safety to the boundary and special teams. From his hudl film, Dalonte is a sound safety who understands his assignments. He illustrates a variety of plays that highlight his ability to play the run and tackle in space. You love to see a safety who can fill, spill, and make all the plays in the box, especially as a sophomore playing on varsity! Being the size he’s at now, it will be fun to see what he becomes once he grows into his body and continues to grow. As of right now, Dalonte is scheduled to attend some collegiate camps this summer such as Iowa, Louisville, Central Michigan, etc. so it will give him the opportunity to exhibit high level coverage skills that I am sure will continue this fall. You can watch his film here!
Adeola “Peter” Olaleye RB-Lincoln Way East Highschool
Peter Olaleye’s tape for his spring season was a fun one to watch. At 5’7” 200, he plays like a juggernaut with his low center of gravity. In his tape, Peter shows great burst and quickness when he runs through the gaps. There are moments throughout his tape where he’s churning out multiple yards with defensive players on him. Then there are other moments where he’s making people miss in the open field. The flexibility to do both makes him a player that’s fun to watch. With the continuation to grow physically and on the field playing varsity game reps this year, Peter will be a player that will begin to make noise on the football scene this fall. The sky is the limit for him. Give the dynamic RB a look!
Noah Taylor Noah Taylor 6'1" | 205 lbs | DB Lemont | 2023 State IL -SS-Lemont Highschool
Noah Taylor Noah Taylor 6'1" | 205 lbs | DB Lemont | 2023 State IL is sophomore who earned himself a spot on his varsity roster at Lemont high school. He played his spring season at 6 foot 190 pounds. He has a solid build and a great nose for the football. The entirety of his highlight film was made with play after play after play… He made plays in tight coverage, in the backfield, and in the open field. One thing that stood out to me was Noah’s pursuit angles that he took. This illustrates not only a good nose for the ball, but the ability to just play ball. As a safety, there are many who get caught with eyes in the backfield or second guessing themselves which leads to big plays from the opposing team. Noah was cool headed as a sophomore and a shortened offseason. I really like Noah’s tape and I believe that he has a very bright future ahead of him. Watch this playmaker here!
Kahlil Tate Kahlil Tate 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Kenwood | 2023 State IL -S/LB- Kenwood Academy High school
Kahlil Tate Kahlil Tate 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Kenwood | 2023 State IL is someone that you need to keep your head and eyes open when on the field with him. He is a legit THUMPER! He’s listed as an ATH who stands 6’1” 180 but looks and plays bigger than that. As a coach watching his film, I would make a note that offensive players who are running in his zone need to either protect themselves or be ready to meet him with the same force. Kahlil lined up at corner, nickel, and backer this spring season for Kenwood academy, and I believe that with his sideline to sideline pursuit and aggressiveness, he will continue to improve as a defensive athlete and make that jump to elite. This fall Kahlil will be a player worth watching as he has the ability to be one of the best defensive players in CPS. Watch Kahlil’s game film here!
Jake May-DB- Plainfield South Highschool
Jake May was a sophomore player that played safety this spring for Plainfield South Highschool. At 6 foot 180 pounds, I love his game. One word that I would use to describe it would be smooth. Jake has an innate ability to keep everything in front of him. Whether it be run or pass, Jake takes his read steps and lets the play develop in front of him. He truly played as a last line of defense. His ability that stands out and is illustrated multiple times in his film, was his ability to tackle. Jake has a picture-perfect tackling form with head placement, getting his shoulders square, and brining his feet to bring the defender to the ground. He was able to force a fumble this spring, and I think with more reps and a full off season, Jake could be a player who this time next year, could be playing at any position on the defense for Plainfield South. Make sure you tune in here!
Jayden Cook-WR-Lincoln Way East Highschool
Jayden Cook is a 6’1” 165 receiver who’s one of the many football players in the world that dual sports in basketball. After watching his film, you can tell that he translates and effectively uses his basketball skills on the football field. Jayden is a receiver who uses his jumping ability to out leap corners who go up for the ball with him, box out defenders on hitches and curl routes, and strong hands for blocking and catching passes in contact. Jayden has a good drive phase off of the ball and tries to score every time he touches the ball. There’s even a clip of him dragging bodies in attempt to get to the endzone, while losing his shoe! It will be interesting to see the growth of this talented player. Watch his film here!
Andrew Crews-RB/CB- Simeon Career Academy Highschool
Andrew Crews is a true ATH. He lines up as a RB on offense and a CB on defense. His standout quality is the dog that’s within him. In his film, Andrew has plays that exhibit his toughness and ability to finish plays. There are a lot of explosive plays for him at running back in which he can make a move and then he’s breaking off big yardage. On the defensive side of the ball, he had a lot of good things that he put up on film. He can take on blocks and be physical at the point of contact. One play that stood out to me was a play that he made on the goal line at roughly the 2-yard line. Andrew takes on a block at the line of scrimmage, keeps his outside arm free and pursues to stop the opposing teams running back for a no gain. Having the ability to make those plays in the box as a corner is big time. You won’t regret watching his film!
Asher Tomaszewski-DT- Mt Carmel Highschool
On my film analysis, I realized that I got lost in all of the skill positions. Asher made me remember that the tanks up front control the game by controlling the line of scrimmage. Asher is built at a 6’4” 270 pounds. He is listed as a DT but has the ability to play DE as well. In his film, Asher plays primarily a 4i on the defensive line, and his push pull technique was virtually unstoppable this spring. Might I add that this all with him being a sophomore playing on varsity. Asher plays the run well and you can tell that he’s well coached with the technique that he exhibits when engaged with the O-line. I like how he uses his hands and plays the run within the scheme of Mt. Carmel. While watching his film, I kept thinking about how he’s going to be when his senior year comes around. With the build of a big 10 lineman as a sophomore, and the school in which he plays for, Asher Tomaszweski may be a name that we need to all learn how to pronounce correctly now, because the sky is the limit for him. Watch his film here!
Grant Larkin Grant Larkin 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Neuqua Valley | 2023 State IL – WR – Neuqua Valley Highschool
Grant Larkin Grant Larkin 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Neuqua Valley | 2023 State IL of Neuqua Valley is a receiver whose name is starting to rumble around Illinois. With that being said, I was recommended to watch his film from his spring season. Grant had a great year on varsity in the slot. His coaches did a great job putting him in one on one situations or as the pass catcher on play action/RPO type plays. I say this, because Grant does a great job with soft hands and running after the catch. He runs hard as if he’s a running back once he gets the ball which resulted in chunk yards this spring. He also has plays where he receives handoffs. He’s a playmaker that I would not be surprised lines up at RB, outside receiver and other positions as his role expands this fall. You can watch his film here!