2024 Premier Athletes: Part 1

In big moments, it is imperative to have playmakers step up. That is exactly the role that players who are categorized as "athletes" have to fill. The Class of 2024 features a group of rapidly ascending prospects that we will look at over the next two days. [player_tooltip player_id="189080" first="Caden" last="Vanderbush"], 6’4, 185 pounds, Plainfield [player_tooltip player_id="189080" first="Caden" last="Vanderbush"] is a force at free safety. Vanderbush has an incredible understanding of the game. He makes great reads and acts upon his instincts. Vanderbush gets himself into good positions to make the play. He locks things down on the back and comes up to play the run. Vanderbush is an outstanding tackler. He can drive off of his back foot to the ball, wrap up and make the play. [player_tooltip player_id="189080" first="Caden" last="Vanderbush"] is a prospect that can aid a defense tremendously. [player_tooltip player_id="189103" first="Xavier" last="Taylor"], 5’10, 160 pounds, River Forest [player_tooltip player_id="189103" first="Xavier" last="Taylor"] can make an impact on both sides of the ball, and he has set the stage for a big 2022 season. On offense, Taylor plays wide receiver. As a sophomore, he corralled 11 receptions for 182 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Taylor consistently found ways to contribute to the cause. He recorded 20 total tackles- half of which were solo. He added two interceptions and a pair of passes defensed. [player_tooltip player_id="189103" first="Xavier" last="Taylor"] has shown plenty of upside, so far. Now, he will be looking for a breakout junior season. [player_tooltip player_id="322461" first="Patrick" last="Clacks"], 6'2, 180 pounds, Andrean [player_tooltip player_id="322461" first="Patrick" last="Clacks"] is a great receiver who uses his route-running skills to get the best of the opposition. Clacks knows how to run his routes- where he needs to break the route off and where he needs to be to help the quarterback the most. Clacks can run a wide variety of routes at a high level. He is sound running underneath, but he can also test the coverage down the field. A big play receiver, Clacks is effective in the screen-game, as well. [player_tooltip player_id="322461" first="Patrick" last="Clacks"] will be a prospect to watch over the next two years. [player_tooltip player_id="109610" first="Cannon" last="Brunes"], 5’11, 205 pounds, Western Boone [player_tooltip player_id="109610" first="Cannon" last="Brunes"] contributes for Western Boone in all three phases. He can line up at running back, outside linebacker and long snapper. At outside linebacker, Brunes is a solid edge rusher. He does a good job beating the tackle around the outside and either sacking the quarterback or affecting the throw. When defending against the run, Brunes keeps his shoulders square to the line-of-scrimmage before putting his foot in the ground and making the play. Brunes makes an impact as a running back. In 2021, he carried 63 times for 301 yards with five touchdowns. Defensively, Brunes was a machine all season long. He registered 106 total tackles, 27 tackles-for-loss and eight-and-a-half sacks. He added 18 quarterback hurries, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.