Clay’s Top 25 Chicagoland Quarterbacks Heading Into the Fall

After countless hours of looking at film, recalling showcases, and speaking with coaches, I was finally able to come up with my Top 25 Quarterbacks in the Chicagoland area. This was a daunting task, to say the least. There’re so many quarterbacks worthy of being mentioned that I almost decided to shelf this article because I couldn’t decide who to add. And not to mention, trying to clearly define the Chicagoland area is a task within itself. Nonetheless, the Chicagoland area as it pertains to quarterback play is in good hands for now and the foreseeable future. So without further ado, let’s get to know 25 of Chicagoland’s finest QB1s. <hr /> <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="106707" first="Brandon" last="Rogers"] | Mt. Carmel ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-57359" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Brandon-Rogers-300x275.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="275" /> The OU baseball commit is your prototypical modern-day signal-caller who possesses all the necessary tools to be an elite-level QB in the next stage of his career. Rogers has great arm strength, is deadly accurate, and boasts the athleticism that gives defensive coordinators fits when he decides to break the pocket. But what’s most impressive about [player_tooltip player_id="106707" first="Brandon" last="Rogers"] is that he has the mindset and determination to be great at any cost. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135826" first="Jake" last="Stearney"] | Loyola ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-161488" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/06/546E360C-9BBE-4D7C-A3A4-F249EC032547-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Stearney was at the helm for the Ramblers’ undefeated spring season. He was a key contributor as a sophomore on varsity and proved that he’s more than capable of handling the task of being the quarterback for one of the premier programs in the state. Still early in his development, Stearney is a prospect with a ton of upside who can dissect a defense from the pocket. <h5><em><strong>Aidan Lucero | Warren ’22</strong></em></h5> Lucero currently holds offers from Grand Valley State, Minnesota State, and Northern Iowa. He’s by far one of the most talented quarterbacks in Lake County and one of the more slept on quarterbacks in the state. He’s slated to take over as the QB1 for a Warren team that was the 8A runner-up in 2019. <h5><em><strong>Aaron Warren | Morgan Park ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-127473" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/IMG_5215-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> There’s not a lot of hype surrounding Warren’s name in Illinois’ recruiting circuit, but let me be the first to tell you that this kid is the real deal—easily one of the best players I saw this spring. He’s long and athletic at 6’4", and although his frame doesn’t suggest it, he’s an extremely hard runner who’s tough to bring down. Poised in the pocket with a live arm that can make just about any throw on the field. His impact on the game reminds me a lot of Vince Young during his time at Texas. I think the state of Illinois will find out very soon just how talented of a prospect Aaron Warren is. <h5><em><strong>Dontrell Jackson | Marist ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-38241" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/E333BEA0-299F-44E0-A138-944326DC97A5-1-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Jackson is an ultra-talented dual-threat who looks like a running back when he decides to break the pocket. Nonetheless, he’s such a polished thrower of the football that I honestly think opposing defenses would rather he run versus him picking apart the defense from the pocket. The Coastal-Carolina commit has a lightning-quick release, a rocket for an arm, and already possesses the ability to throw his receivers open. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="154776" first="Aidan" last="Pieper"] | Nazareth ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147572" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/38D21757-135C-488C-B52E-0927D482DC21-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Pieper has an uncanny ability to extend plays with his legs while still delivering an accurate ball. I got a chance to see him at the Rise &amp; Fire Camp a few months back and you can tell that he’s been putting in the time to perfect his craft as he gears up for his senior campaign at Nazareth. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20867" first="Aidan" last="Voss"] | Joliet Catholic ’22</strong></em></h5> Voss was awarded this year’s ESCC/CCL Offensive Player of the year, and rightfully so. He’s tough as nails and can keep a defense on their heels with his ability to scramble. Excels at improvising and extending plays and is an accurate thrower when on the run. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20859" first="Kaden" last="Cobb"] | Fenwick ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-38247" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/cobb-300x196.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="196" /> One of the most sought-after quarterbacks in Illinois’ 2022 class recently announced that he would be taking his talents to Ball St. He possesses the athleticism to hurt you with his legs, but he’s also a pretty accurate thrower who does a good job of resetting his feet to create a solid throwing base, which is largely due to his impressive footwork. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="165467" first="Jermaine" last="Young"] | St. Patrick ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147567" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/A2BB0B5B-90D6-466E-A91B-8B1C664AA12E-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> The impact Young has on the game is tremendous. He’s one of the more dynamic runners at the quarterback position in the Chicagoland area, and even when you know he’s going to run it’s still hard to contain him. It also helps that he’s physically gifted at 6’2" 230lbs and is an absolute load to bring down. But don’t sleep on his ability to sling the rock; he’s a natural playmaker with above-average arm talent. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="154757" first="Rowan" last="Keefe"] | Maine South ’22</strong></em></h5> Keefe is a gun-slinger who would much rather pick a defense apart from the pocket, but if he catches you slipping, he’s fully capable of escaping the pocket and picking up some yards downfield. He throws a pretty spiral and has the accuracy to fit the ball in tight windows. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="65705" first="Jack" last="Lausch"] | Brother Rice ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-117513" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/03/BA7CC3DC-E806-4557-B23B-252FFD95024E-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> It is no surprise that Lausch is a superior athlete with him being committed to Notre Dame for both baseball and football.  He’s a dynamic dual-threat who can hurt you with arm or legs—pick your poison. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="130444" first="Cole" last="Teschner"] | Montini ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="size-medium wp-image-74422" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/7BA62CC4-A28C-4023-8B17-53C85F21489B-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> I’ve gotten a chance to see Teschner in person on multiple occasions during this offseason. He’s without a doubt one of the bright spots at the quarterback position in Illinois’ loaded class of 2023. It’s also worth noting that Teschner may have one of the strongest arms in the state—regardless of class. <h5><em><strong>Tyler Turner | Phillips ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-36914" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/tyler-turner-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Turner plays the position with a level of deftness that you won’t find in many high school quarterbacks. He gets the ball out quickly and does so with great velocity and is precise with his ball placement. Supremely talented and possesses the necessary arm strength to drive the ball downfield <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="157705" first="Robert" last="Jones"] | Oswego East ’23</strong></em></h5> Jones is on schedule to be the starting quarterback for Oswego East this upcoming season. His ceiling is through the roof and after a busy camp schedule this summer with stops at Oklahoma, Penn State, and Vanderbilt. He’s one of my top candidates who I expect to have a breakout season. Currently holds offers from Arizona State and South Florida. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="132515" first="Jovan" last="Butts"] | Morton West ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-113218" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/02/IMG_4274-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Not only does Butts has the arm strength to drive the ball downfield, but he also has the accuracy to place the ball where only his receiver can make a play on it. He excels throwing the deep ball and has more than enough athleticism to escape the pocket and hit paydirt. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="121350" first="Alessio" last="Milivojevic"] | St. Francis ’24</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-57325" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Alessio-Milivojevic-294x300.jpg" alt="" width="294" height="300" /> Milivojevic is a special talent that hasn’t even scratched the surface of his true potential. He cracked varsity as a freshman and was able to earn himself some valuable game reps to get himself ready for what I believe will be a more-than-productive sophomore season. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20864" first="Nevan" last="Cremascoli"] | New Trier ’22</strong></em></h5> At 6’4" 210lbs, Nevan Cremsacoli without doubt passes anyone’s quarterback eye test. He’s mobile for his size and can consistently make plays with his feet. Flashes a strong arm and his ball placement is point. Currently holds offers from Drake and the University of St. Thomas. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20866" first="Nashon" last="Johnson"] | Eisenhower ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-57595" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Nashon-Johnson-260x300.jpg" alt="" width="260" height="300" /> The lefty out of Eisenhower is electric out of the backfield and probably one of the most creative runners on this list. He has a very talented arm along with a great feel for the game. Understands how to evade pressure and makes difficult throws look easy—a savant at making something out of nothing. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20861" first="Nathan" last="Hayes"] | St. Charles East ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-57598" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Nathan-Hayes-296x300.jpg" alt="" width="296" height="300" /> The NDSU commit has a strong arm which is complimented with some nice accuracy and touch. Hayes is an overall well-rounded passer who flashes good instincts in the pocket that enables him to consistently make plays. <h5><em><strong>Lucien Henson | Kenwood ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="size-medium wp-image-145595" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/lou-168x300.jpg" alt="" width="168" height="300" /> Shorter quarterbacks are starting to debunk the myth that you must be a certain height to excel at the position. I’ve seen it with my own two eyes and on multiple occasions—this kid can flat out sling the rock. He’s got a polished arm and possesses great field awareness and is more than capable of putting together a breakout senior season as the Kenwood Broncos are a team with state championship aspirations. <h5><em><strong>Tommy Ulatowski | St. Rita ’22</strong></em></h5> Ulatowski has exceptional pocket presence and does a good job of working through his progressions before deciding where to go with the ball. Makes accurate throws on the run and can air it out if need be. Overall, he makes good decisions with the ball in his hands and rarely puts his team in bad situations. Currently holds an offer from Northern Iowa but has committed to Creighton for baseball. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="155555" first="Hayden" last="Timosciek"] | Lockport ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-147574" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/94820D94-D525-4A06-8521-9C55456AE2DD-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> You won’t find a quarterback taller than Timosciek in the Land of Lincoln. He’s a mobile 6’7" 232lbs and he won’t hesitate to tuck and run, and after evaluating this kid, he’s pretty effective when he decides to take off. His height enhances his field vision and he can let it rip with the flick of his wrist. He’s an intriguing prospect that I’ll be keeping close tabs on as the season approaches. <h5><em><strong>Korey Flowers | Simeon ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="size-medium wp-image-145609" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/korey.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Flowers possesses the skills to carve up a defense with his arm as well as his feet. Consistently hits his receivers in stride and has a pretty looking deep ball. I think this season we’ll get a chance to see how complete of a quarterback Flowers is. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="168918" first="Aidan" last="Gray"] | Naperville North ’23</strong></em></h5> At 6’3", Gray already has the ideal height and stature for the college game with plenty of time left to grow. Does a good of evading defenders in the pocket, which gives him extra time to hit his target. Flashes impressive accuracy in the intermediate passing game. Has all the qualities of a pure pocket passer but can be just as deadly when he decides to scramble and run with the football. Currently holds offers from Eastern Illinois and Western Michigan. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135719" first="Liam" last="Mickle"] | Woodstock ’22</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-57567" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/liam-mickle-300x252.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="252" /> Mickle was born to play the quarterback position, and I think he might very well throw one of the most catchable balls in the state. He’s deadly accurate in all phases of the passing game and makes it look easy how he drops dimes to his receivers.