8 Preseason Names To Watch: 22' WRs

As we get closer to the start of the Fall 2021 season these young men are practicing with their respective teams getting ready for their Week 1 matchup. With that being said let’s take a look at 8 preseason names to watch as the days are getting closer and closer to gameday. <hr /> [player_tooltip player_id="155222" first="Trevor" last="Hudak"] Minooka <a href="https://twitter.com/trevorhudak1">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11426454/606df4b70dc00019c0d55b35">Highlights</a> Mr. Hudak is from Minooka, he’s a deadly playmaker that gets it done on the offensive side of the ball as well as in the return game. Once the ball is in his hands it’s a sight to see as he makes plays left and right with his ability to change gears quickly blowing by the 2nd level of defenders, this goes both in the return game where he’ll return kicks for touchdowns as well as at receiver where once he’s in open space there’s no catching him. What I like most about this young man is his route running ability. He’s able to burst off the line of scrimmage to stack the defender where he can either win the fly route, break the defender off at the top of the route working back towards the ball, or slow play the route to find the soft spot in the middle of the defense. This young man also isn’t afraid to go up to get the ball making contested catches over defenders and making catches in traffic. Mr. Hudak currently holds no offers, if your school needs a 6’2 180 playmaker look no further as this young man fits that bill completely and will be an immediate impact at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="131425" first="Jack" last="Tremblay"] Lincoln-Way East <a href="https://twitter.com/jacktremblay7">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11136924/608590550c5da201901b416c">Highlights</a> Mr. Tremblay is from Lincoln-Way East, to me, he’s a sure FCS type of player that has the potential to play FBS as well. He runs a 4.47 40-yard dash, stands at 6’0 190, and is an explosive athlete. Now you might be wondering why I’m so high on this young man, let’s dive into why. First and foremost, he’s so quick off the line of scrimmage that once the ball is snapped and the defense has time to react to the play this young man is already at mid-field burning the 2nd level of defenders for a touchdown. What I like the most about this young man is his ability to not only make contested catches over defenders and his route running ability, also his selfless play by blocking downfield where he pancakes defenders creating a bigger running lane for his teammates carrying the ball. I expect Mr. Tremblay to have a bigger role on offense come this fall and his production increasing as a result of that. He currently holds one offer from Upper Iowa University, the first of many to come for this young man, and I look forward to seeing the show he puts on this fall season. [player_tooltip player_id="155228" first="Brandon" last="Bell"] Wheaton Warrenville South <a href="https://twitter.com/brandonb_jr">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11323663/6086ce94a018ca1df4b40b68">Highlights</a> Mr. Bell is from Wheaton Warrenville South, standing at 6’0 165 he has playmaking abilities and is a sight to see. He’s paired with [player_tooltip player_id="165462" first="Quentin" last="Spencer"], both of whom are deadly receivers, as a one-two punch for this offensive unit. What I like most about this young man is his fast feet when pressed allowing him to get a step on the defender to stack up then make a small break at the top of the route to win the fly route downfield. He’s a deep threat that’s quick off the line of scrimmage and can make contested catches over the defender. Mr. Bell currently holds no offers as of yet, if you’re a school looking for a receiver that can burn defenders deep time and time again while also making contested catches look no further as this young man fits that criteria. [player_tooltip player_id="155248" first="Zach" last="Allen"] Mt Carmel <a href="https://twitter.com/Zachallen033">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11457578/6084eddab5362d090c91ff12">Highlights</a> Mr. Allen is from Mt Carmel, he stands at 6’2 170 and currently holds no offers. What I like most about this young man is his ability to make contested catches over the defender by high-pointing the ball and how quick he is off the line of scrimmage to win the fly route. His team plays in 3A football, one of the smaller divisions in Illinois, but man can this young man play. For instance, once he secures the catch he plants his foot into the ground to turn upfield and it’s off to the races as he blows by the 2nd level of defenders. This young man is one to watch as he gets ready for a full fall season, I expect college interest to pick up once the season is concluded. If your school is looking to add size at the receiver position along with one that can go up and get those 50/50 balls, look no further as this young man can do just that. [player_tooltip player_id="65858" first="Tyler" last="Bishop"] St Francis <a href="https://twitter.com/tylerbishop2232">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/2907936/608757e19a9c3f1b8063aa19">Highlights</a> Mr. Bishop is from St Francis, he fits the prototypical slot receiver-style and we got glimpses of what he can do this past spring. He reminds me of the way NFL Star Wes Welker used to play with his smaller build standing at 5’8 170, how quick he is off the line of scrimmage burning the defender deep on the fly route, and how he can take the underneath routes for big gains. Those similar characteristics are what remind me of what Wes Welker did with his time on the Broncos as well as on the Patriots, Mr. Bishop does those same things for St Francis. What’s even more impressive is that he only played in 17 quarters out of the 24 quarters that were played this past spring. He currently holds no offers as of yet, with a full season this fall I expect college interest to pick up for this young man. If you’re looking for a smaller slot receiver that’s quick off the line of scrimmage and can turn a 5-yard route into a big gain look no further as Mr. Bishop does just that for his team. [player_tooltip player_id="65734" first="Dre" last="Egipciaco"] Galesburg <a href="https://twitter.com/degipciaco13?lang=en">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11202648/6064bf7d90f9ad0a70e4a13a">Highlights</a> Mr. Egipciaco is from Galesburg, he, [player_tooltip player_id="20895" first="Aaron" last="Carl"], and [player_tooltip player_id="65810" first="Hunter" last="DeVena"] cause problems for opposing defenses in the Western Big Six Conference. Sticking specifically with this young man, he’s quick off the line of scrimmage and isn’t afraid to make contested catches over the defender winning those 50/50 balls. What I like most about this young man is the way he works back to the ball once he comes out of his break at the top of the route so the defender can’t undercut the route to make a play on the ball. He currently holds no offers as of yet but I expect college interest to pick up after the fall season is concluded. If you’re looking for a receiver that can make those 50/50 balls and develop in your system look no further as the best is yet to come for this young man as he has untapped potential that has yet to come to light. [player_tooltip player_id="155234" first="Sam" last="Gagne"] Kaneland <a href="https://twitter.com/samuelgagne14">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11092698/608ad8a64deb1e09607cf6b0">Highlights</a> Mr. Gagne is from Kaneland, he stands at 5’11 170 and runs a 4.60 40-yard dash. What I like most about this young man is his ability to get upfield quickly after securing the catch and how he fights for extra yards by playing through contact. He keeps his feet driving breaking arm tackles resulting in a big gain increasing his yards after contact. What’s also impressive about this young man is how quick he is off the line of scrimmage and how he isn’t afraid to go up to get the ball making contested catches over defenders to win the 50/50 balls. He currently has no offers but has interest from Augustana College, I expect after the fall season this will pick up for this young man. If your school is looking for a receiver that can make those 50/50 balls as well as turn a screen pass into a big gain take a look at his film to see if he’s a right fit for your program. [player_tooltip player_id="155224" first="Patrick" last="O’Neil"] Downers Grove South <a href="https://twitter.com/patrickoneil_11">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11255419/6085ca910c5da201901b60d4">Highlights</a> Mr. O’Neil is from Downers Grove South, he’s a part of a deadly receiving core consisting of Brandon Amaniampong and [player_tooltip player_id="59709" first="Eli" last="Reed"] all of whom are catching passes from up and coming QB [player_tooltip player_id="157699" first="Ryan" last="Dawson"]. Sticking specifically with this young man, he’s an explosive player standing at 6’0 170 and runs a 4.65 40-yard dash. What I like most about this young man is his ability to get upfield quickly after securing the catch and his ability to make contested catches over the defender. He also is able to change gears quickly burning the 2nd level of defenders and blocks downfield for his teammates pancaking the defender. This young man currently holds no offers as of yet but I expect that to change after the fall season is concluded. If your program is looking for a slot receiver that can take the top off of the opposing defense and block for his teammates take a look at this young man’s film to see if he’s the right fit for your program. Notables [player_tooltip player_id="118978" first="Ryan" last="Little"] Lockport <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanScoresTds">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11319169/607de5ec1763531850ef3175">Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="130675" first="Maurice" last="Brown"] Brother Rice <a href="https://twitter.com/Psmoove_03">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11242794/5db48084a018690f180f39b1">Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="155245" first="Caden" last="Bee"] Salem <a href="https://twitter.com/CadenBee">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11619643/6088246a1763531c301e9d65">Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="155246" first="Colton" last="Provost"] Bishop McNamara <a href="https://twitter.com/ProvostColton">Twitter</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36-F8NJPCZE">Highlights</a> <hr /> These are some of the Preseason Names to Watch at the WR position for the class of 2022. Keep an eye on these young men as they get ready to put the pads on. Be sure to follow @jamaskane regarding news & information for Illinois High School Football, @PrepRedzoneIL, and @PrepRedzone.