PRzOliver’s Favorite Uncommitted Illinois 2022s
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Despite it only being March, in the upper echelons of college football recruiting the class of 2022 commitments are basically finalized. Unless you’re a top-end talent with D1 programs willing to hold a scholarship for you, you know where you’re…
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Continue ReadingDespite it only being March, in the upper echelons of college football recruiting the class of 2022 commitments are basically finalized. Unless you’re a top-end talent with D1 programs willing to hold a scholarship for you, you know where you’re going, and in the case of a lot of the high-profile prospect, you may already be enrolled at your new school. Disregard what you’ve heard about 2022 recruiting being done though, as there are still a ton of talented high school football players in the midst of their recruiting process and still in search of a place to play and earn a college degree. This is especially true in the Land of Lincoln, where programs ranging from P5s to JUCOs can successfully farm the fertile recruiting grounds from Rockford to Metropolis and find studs at any position on the gridiron. Today, I’ll be highlighting some of my personal favorite prospects from the great state of Illinois who are currently uncommitted and in need of a college program to call home. These standouts caught my eye for a multitude of reasons while I was living in Chicago, but they all share the same commonality of not yet knowing whose jersey they will adorn at the college level. If you’re a college coach reading this, hit these dudes up! Film and Twitters will be included. Thanks for reading!
Khary Shaw Khary Shaw 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH Brother Rice | 2022 State IL (Brother Rice) SS/OLB. 6’2, 205 lbs. 2.9 GPA. @KharyShaw
Another Brother Rice senior to make my favorite uncommitted list comes from the well-built DB Khary Shaw Khary Shaw 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH Brother Rice | 2022 State IL . Although he was offered by Eastern Michigan, Toledo, and UT-Martin, Shaw has tweeted out any recruiting news since June 28th of 2021, and remains uncommitted at the time this article was published. Shaw’s senior tape is dynamic, as he made splash plays ranging from instinctive interceptions, explosive TFLs, and blocked kicks to open the first minute of his film and it was hard not to notice how instinctive he is in zone coverage out of the slot, as shown by the beautiful 90-yard INT return for a TD against Fenwick. He’s also a strong tackler in space and when you combine the tape with his size and competition level he was playing against you got the makings of an FBS-level talent. Brother Rice is still a must-stop on the recruiting trail for 2022s!
Josh Dornink Josh Dornink 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Batavia | 2022 State IL (Batavia) RB. 5’10, 180 lbs. @yeahyeah7_
I’m a big fan of the prospects coming out of Batavia as of late and they have a talented uncommitted RB in 5’10, 180 lber. Josh Dornink Josh Dornink 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Batavia | 2022 State IL . The last recruiting news he reported was a December 21st visit to Bemidji State, which followed Missouri Valley unofficial visits to South Dakota in October and North Dakota this past summer. Dornink combined his junior and senior highlights, and on tape, the 2022 ball-carrier shows some legit big-play ability between the tackles from the FB and TB position. He shows solid burst through the first and second levels of a defense and is patient when following his blocks and/or allowing a crease to open up. Someone should scoop this dude up before it’s too late!
Drew Bartels Drew Bartels 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Batavia | 2022 State IL (Batavia) LB. 6’3, 220 lbs. 4.0 GPA. @drew_bartels
The Bulldogs had a monstrous linebacking corps this past fall that weighed in around 750 pounds between juniors Tyler Jansey Tyler Jansey 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Batavia | 2023 State IL and Jack Sadowsky Jack Sadowsky 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Batavia | 2023 State IL and uncommitted senior Drew Bartels Drew Bartels 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Batavia | 2022 State IL . Despite his unsigned status, the 6’3, 220 pounder reported offers from and visited Eastern Illinois and Ball State this past summer but has stayed silent on the recruiting trail since before his senior season began. I love how the well-built ’backer operates around the LOS, as he can blitz, hold the edge, pursue to the sideline, cover the curl/hooks and flats in zone, and even step into passing lanes to pick off the football. He’s a true three-down LB prospect and plays with some good speed for 220 pounds and growing and lived in the backfield during his impressive senior campaign. I’m surprised he’s still uncommitted and will be excitedly checking in on him during the remainder of the spring.
Mike Sajenko Mike Sajenko 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Maine South | 2022 State IL (Maine South) RB. 6’, 190 lbs. @MikeSajenko
The Class 8A state runner-up RB1 Sajenko capped a decorated prep career this past fall having earned three All-Conference awards, the CSL Offensive POY, two IHSFCA 8A All-State nods, and the Daily Herald team captain pick. His senior tape shows off an eye-catching third gear that he uses past the second level of defenses to burn past pursuit angles of defenders. It was also easy to see that Sajenko was dangerous in space as well as a more than competent pass catcher who could run, juke, stiff-arm, hurdle, or run over you in 1-on-1 tackle situations and has no problem finishing his runs with physicality, something you don’t see often from RBs nowadays. There is a lot to like from his senior film and it was no surprise he was rewarded for his efforts with a late D1 offer from South Dakota on December 8th. Before that, he grabbed a PWO from Eastern Illinois in November and had held an MSU-Mankato DII scholarship on May 28th of 2021. No visits and no news since the winter. Stay posted!
Kacey Battle (Oswego East) CB/WR. 6’5, 180 lbs. @KaceyBattle223
A prospect I originally learned about from our National Scouting Director Jake Lemming, Oswego product Kacey Battle brings some tantalizing height to the CB and WR position as well as an accomplished track & field pedigree that includes an All-State nod as a high jumper. After some interesting senior film, Battle earned PWOs from West Virginia and Utah and took a visit to Morgantown on January 29th. The senior tape displays the ability to high point and play the ball in the air (especially as a CB) that you’d hope to see from a recruit with his measurables as well as some YAC capability with the ball in his hands. He can long stride past opponents and shows great ball skills and body control at the CB position. He can create so many extra PBUs and potential interceptions that other prospects simply can’t, and you don’t see a 6’5 corner this athletic every day. It’s no surprise he earned some P5 opportunities and I think his ceiling is higher than any uncommitted senior in the state at this point. Hit him up!
James Kyle James Kyle 6'6" | 225 lbs | TE Loyola | 2022 State IL (Loyola Academy) TE. 6’6, 245 lbs. @James_Kyle88
Speaking of high ceilings, Loyola Academy Ramblers TE James Kyle James Kyle 6'6" | 225 lbs | TE Loyola | 2022 State IL has the most interesting recruiting story of any prospect on this list. A former three-star prospect who held double-digit FBS and P5 offers before unexpected health complications involving blood clots in his lungs forced him to medically retire from the game back in April of 2021. Far too early for the talented CCL product, Kyle announced in November that he had worked hard with doctors around the country to formulate a plan for him to play football again, and shortly after he earned PWOs from Fordham, Eastern Illinois, and Northern Illinois as well as offers from Mount Union and New Mexico State. At this point though, he remains unsigned, and in his three games of film from his junior season he showed off some legit pass-catching capability in both his route running and YAC aptitude. He also had no issues blocking out in space or around the edge/LOS and was effective at swiping back from the HB spot. He can move for 6’6, 245, and it would be a huge shame if he wasn’t on a college roster this upcoming fall. College coaches: don’t be shy!
Tayo Idowu Tayo Idowu 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Richards | 2022 State IL (Richards) LB. 6’2, 230 lbs. 2.8 GPA. @tayoidowu8
The PRzIL 6A All-State selection was also named All-Area as a senior. His most recent recruiting news came after he reported a visit to Indiana Wesleyan on January 23rd, but things are pretty quiet for him overall as he previously only reported an offer from Northern Michigan back in June of 2021. The Oak Lawn product posted 83 tackles during his senior year and impressed me with his consistency to finish tackles. Almost every rep on tape he either bounced a kid off the turf with his shoulder pads or wrapped up to freeze ball carriers’ momentum on first contact and drive his feet through the whistle to never allow RBs or QBs to gain even a step of extra yardage. He’s got good speed for 230 pounds, shows a nonstop motor on the field, and gets hip to hip with ball carriers before they can put a move on. Don’t miss out on the thumper from Richards!
Jahari Scott Jahari Scott 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Lake Forest | 2022 State IL (Lake Forest) RB. 6’, 175 lbs. 3.57 GPA. @JahariScott
The Lake County RB reports some solid weight room numbers including a 245 lb. bench, 375 lb. squat, and 225 lb. clean. He’s got a ton of varsity experience playing with the Scouts and has been offered by McKendree, Dayton, Valpo, and St. Ambrose with his last offer coming from SAU back in January. Scott recorded 1,525 yards and 17 TDs in 2021 and opens his senior tape with an eye-popping hurdle in the open field right over the head of a confused DB. I love his contact balance at 175 pounds and he’s got game-changing speed that can create splash plays and huge runs as both a RB and a kick returner. Thanks to that strong lower body he can run through tackle attempts without losing a step of momentum and I also love his vision and how much burst he can generate from a dead stop during a run. I don’t know what I’m missing here but DIIs need to get involved with this kid, especially given the weight room #s and GPA. Check the tape, you won’t be disappointed.
Leo Scheidler Leo Scheidler 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Lake Forest | 2022 State IL (Lake Forest) QB. 6’1, 175 lbs. @leo_scheidler7
Another Lake Forest uncommitted ’22, Scheidler made a splash on the Illinois recruiting scene after he earned a PWO from Notre Dame and OC Tommy Rees on February 15th. Before that, Scheidler was offered by Butler, Valpo, Amherst, Denison, Middlebury, Dayton, and Bowdoin for a solid variety of high academic opportunities at the next level. The senior quarterback, cornerback, and punter passed for 1,131 yards and 8 TDs, rushed for 1,313 yards and 17 TDs, recorded 30 tackles, 9 PBUs, 2 FFs, 2 blocked punts, and 5 punts that landed inside the opponent’s 5-yard line. That versatility netted him All-State, North Suburban All-Conference, Team MVP, and team captain accolades, and on tape, it’s easy to see that the Scouts senior standout is a fast, natural, and athletic football player who is very shifty in the open field and a physical gridiron presence at 175 pounds. I love watching him run the rock, and he could play just about any position asked of him by a coaching staff. Can’t wait to see where he ends up committing. Someone is going to get a playmaker.
Kyle Leonard Kyle Leonard 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Carrollton | 2022 State IL (Carrollton) WR. 6’2, 185 lbs. @kylexleonard
The 2x PRzIL All-State and 1X IHSA All-State pick just concluded his senior season of basketball totaling 21.1 PPG, 6 RPG, 4.2 APG, and 1,309 career points. The two-sport standout hailing from four hours southwest of Chicago helped lead his football squad to a 1A state runner-up finish in ’21 and posted 57 catches for 909 yards and 13 TDs. His ball skills and fearlessness when going up for the football through contact stands out first and foremost on tape and you can see his basketball background show up when he’s high pointing the football. He can line up and do damage out of any WR spot on and has soft hands to go along with a mean out-breaking route when facing man coverage, especially in the redzone or when Carrollton needed a first down. At this point, he’s holding offers from Augustana College, Monmouth, Illinois College, North Central College, and Mckendree and should be poised to make a college decision soon now that basketball has wrapped up.
Tomi Bisiriyu (Whitney Young) OL. 6’6, 290 lbs. @tomi_bisiriyu77
A monster lineman out of Chicago and the prestigious Whitney Young High School comes in 6’6 OT Tomi Bisiriyu, who both Jake Lemming and I believe is a wildly under-recruited FBS talent. At the time of this articles publishing Bisiriyu holds offers from Nebraska-Kearney, UT-Martin, Central Missouri, Notre Dame College, Pittsburg State, SEMO, Wayne State University, Upper Iowa, Northern Michigan, and Culver-Stockton but hasn’t decided on his future. He was a dominant force against Chicago competition who sent smaller opponents flying and finished larger defenders into the ground with regularity. The senior can move with fluidity in the open field and as a puller and shows bend, leg drive, and a nasty knack for finishing at 6’6, 290 pounds. I would not want to see this dude out on the edge and Bisiriyu accounted for a ton of misery and anxiety for opposing DEs and LBs over the course of his varsity career. With lineman always in such high demand I’m surprised he isn’t generating more interest on the recruiting trail at this time.
Connor Huffman Connor Huffman 6'0" | 150 lbs | QB Plainfield Central | 2022 IL (Plainfield Central) QB. 6’, 150 lbs. @ConnorHuffman7
The senior clocked a blazing 4.47 at our recent PRzIL winter showcase and hasn’t reported a single college offer or any kind of interest during his prep career. Also a standout baseball player, Huffman showed some solid ball placement into tight windows on throws over the middle of the field and could put some zip on the ball on shorter routes to the first and second levels of the field. He also uses that game-changing speed as a ball carrier, and I think with his speed and size he may project best to the WR or DB spots at the next level. Can’t find that kind of speed too often!
Keegan Vankampen (Fulton) RB/LB. 6’2, 215 lbs. @KeeganVankampen
A small school, two-way beast who recorded 1,054 rushing yards and 21 total offensive TDs plus 132 total tackles and 1 interception that he returned for six. Despite the gaudy size and statistics, Vankampen only holds one college offer, a DIII roster spot from Aurora University back in December. Big #1 could go sideline-to-sideline in pursuit of the football and was a menace to QBs all season long as a blitzing LB. He also was able to be disruptive in the passing game as he could insert himself into passing lanes well and doubles as a devastating short-area RB and lead blocking fullback with a fully utilized truck stick through contact. I love ultra-productive small schooler and XL running backs and Vankampen definitely fits the bill. He should have way more than one DIII roster spot right now.
chris trotter chris trotter 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL Thornwood | 2022 IL (Thornwood) DL. 6’5, 235 lbs. @15CeeMoney
A PrepRedzoneIL Showcase veteran brings a ton of length to the table as a prospect who can get his hands into passing lanes and reach around blockers to snare the QB in his grasp. He also can cover ground really quickly thanks to his long strides and he’s also got a quick get-off which helped him to be consistently disruptive in both the run and pass game. He also was quite effective at getting skinny to beat blocking attempts inside and rarely gives opposing OL a square shot on him by not flashing his chest. I think he’s just starting to scratch the surface as a DE and when you add in the 6’5, 235+ lb. frame I think he should be a much more sought after DIII prospect. As of right now his only recruiting report is a visit to Concordia University-Wisconsin in late January. Hit him up!
Hayden Timosciek Hayden Timosciek 6'7" | 235 lbs | QB Lockport | 2022 State IL (Lockport) QB. 6’7, 240 lbs. @18Timosciek
The XL gunslinger of the big school, 8A state champs had himself a heckuva senior campaign that included IHSFCA 8A All-State, SWSC All-Conference, PRzIL All-State, and a ton of weekly awards for his individual efforts throughout the 2021 season after passing for 2,596 yards and 25 TDs to only 1 INT on top of 258 rushing yards and two TDs and a 42-yard reception for a TD. He only holds offers from Butler University and Upper Iowa, and on tape the massive pocket-passer opens his tape with a laser of a deep TD slant through a tiny window between two closing DBs. I also see some nice touch on his deeper throws and at 6’7, 240 pounds you can bet your butt he’s got a strong arm attached to his right shoulder. Additionally, he’s got some effective footwork in the pocket to evade pass rushers and will stand in there through contact to deliver a throw. With such eye-popping size and a big school Illinois state championship in his pocket I’m surprised more programs have been in touch with Timosciek. Not too late to change that!