Twitter Tag Tape Review: Illinois players from 2022 & 2023

Each week numerous players tag me in their highlights and now that we have gotten close to the halfway point in the season, I wanted to reward those players for doing so. Here is the first set of Twitter Tag Tape Reviews that I will go over the next few days. 2022 Benton QB [player_tooltip player_id="65707" first="Keegan" last="Glover"] (6’ and 165lbs) @GloverKeegan This uncommitted senior has been fantastic all year, putting up video game stats as quarterback, while dabbling as a defense back as well. He’s great when plays break down, backyard football at it’s best. Glover throws a great ball on the move, good pace and loft, giving his receiver a chance go get YAC. As a runner he’s decisive, shows good vision and enough speed the weave his way through the defense and get to the corners. Size doesn’t matter as much anymore and Glover should be garnering more interest as he heads into the final stretch of his high school career. 2022 Fenwick DB Denium Jeutte (6’3” and 175lbs) @DenJuette4 Good size for a cornerback, Juette has long arms that he uses to deflect passes. He’s physical with receivers, but not too much to get flags throw when hand fighting for balls. Juette had very good speed, he’s able to track receivers when they head in motion and not lose the edge. I haven’t seen Juette’s film before but I came away extremely impressed. He could grow into an outside linebacker, the skill set would certainly translate over. He’s got an offer from St. Thomas, but that list needs to grow, Juette has a lot of potential and his best football is ahead of him. 2022 Metea Valley DT [player_tooltip player_id="162424" first="Jake" last="Paulline"] (6’1” and 290lbs) @Jake_Paulline I know Paulline was a load coming into this final year, but he’s taken his game up a notch. I saw more of an interior nose tackle, who could hold up centers and guards for the linebackers to make plays. That is not Paulline, he’s been a terror. Fo this size he’s agile and athletic. On top of that he’s strong and disengages very well. He plays a lot of end in a 3 lineman scheme, but he’s a true disruptive 2-tech defensive tackle who’s best football is in front of him. 2023 Prairie Ridge RB [player_tooltip player_id="118755" first="Nathan" last="Greetham"] (5’8” and 175lbs) @nathan_greetham Playing in a wing-T offense, Greetham mainly lines up as the tailback and his size allows him to hide behind the interior lineman and gain big yardage. He does a great to of hitting the hole right away, then when he get’s into opener space Greetham has some moves to create space and continue to get north. He’s not super shifty but there enough wiggle to his game. A solid player who could continue to add some weight and be a force his senior year. 2022 Glenbrook South RB [player_tooltip player_id="193212" first="Will" last="Collins"] (5’9” and 170lbs) @will_collins2 What sticks out first is Collins balance, he’s on the shorter side but his low center of gravity works on his favor. There’s plenty of speed to his game as well, he can get to the corner fairly easily and then turn upfield for extra yardage. Collins is great when given jet sweeps, his vision is solid. He’s not afraid to run between the tackles either. Collins plays some defense back as well, so there’s a potential to play on that side of the ball as well. Collins plays bigger than his size and could be a solid back at the next level. 2023 LaSalle-Peru OL Nik Belski (6’2” and 250lbs) @nikbelski Just watch Belski’s first highlight of his midseason and right way you’ll be impressed by the interior offensive lineman. He’s athletic, strong and has a mean streak that you love to see. Belski has great form, always with a great base, good hand placement and keeps his feet driving. He’s a punishing run blocker, always looking for the next man to block after knocking down the first one. Belski’s quickly becoming one of my favorite instate ’23 lineman. 2022 Metea Valley ATH [player_tooltip player_id="122240" first="John" last="Flynn"] (6’ and 175lbs) @john_flynn20 With great hands comes great responsibility, and Flynn constantly makes plays you don’t expect him to. He’s got great concentration to go with the hands, which is such a dangerous combination as a pass catcher. Flynn does a great job not letting the ball get to his body, and when possible he turns upfield to gain extra yardage. He does well finding soft spots in in zone coverage. Flynn is a solid blocker, taking his man out of the play. He uses his receiving skills on the other side of the ball as well, but I like him much better as a slot. Flynn needs to be looked at by more schools, he’s a very solid player with good upside. 2023 St. Rita LB [player_tooltip player_id="20845" first="JaMycheal" last="Towns"] (6’3” and 200lbs) @jamycheal A special teams demon, Towns constantly is in the right place at the right time during punts and kickoffs. Coaches love to see that and so do I. Towns does a good job in pass coverage as an outside linebacker, he’s physical, gets his hands in passing lanes and moves his feet well. Towns is also a solid tackler with strong hands. I do need to see more, but playing for a powerhouse school like St. Rita, its impressive that a junior gets that much playing time. 2023 Stevenson defender Colin Schultz (6’2” and 235lbs) @ColinSchultz20 I love the versatility of Schultz, he’s all over the defensive side of the field, but excels most on the defensive line. He’s strong at the point of attack, pushes his opponents back with ease. Schultz has great get off the ball, his first step is extremely quick. He does need to do a better job finishing plays, Schultz is in the right position, just needs to work on his breakdown a bit. There’s another junior that has a lot of potential and if Schultz can grow an inch or two, he’s going to become a very impressive defensive end. 2022 Downers Grove South OLB [player_tooltip player_id="155364" first="Noah" last="Rapinchuk"] (6’2” and 205lbs) @NoahRapinchuk12 The rush outside linebacker doesn’t just attack the quarterback, Rapinchuk is able to get off blocks well and make plays. He does a great job of understanding his role, staying in his lane to make the play. Rapinchuk has good speed, especially when he times his blitzes well. I’d like to see more coverage from him, but there’s potential that he could grow into a defensive end down the line.