PRZ IL Prospect Tour: Session 1 RB/LB Preview
With our PRZ IL Prospect Tour coming up on Saturday, May 7th we’re continuing with our positional previews to provide further exposure to the young student athletes coming out to the showcase. With that being said, we’re kicking this off with a quick preview of some of the RB/LB that are going to be in attendance. Keep in mind that this is a preview article and a more in-depth article series will come after the showcase is held diving into how the young men performed at the showcase in testing as well as in positional drills and during 1 on 1’s.
Jace Christianzz Jace Christianzz 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Reed-Custer | 2023 IL 2023 Reed-Custer Twitter
Mr. Christian is a young man that I believe is not only going to be a surprise to those attending the showcase on May 7th but also going to have a breakout Senior Season Campaign. He’s set up in a prime position to take over for the talented graduating RB Elliot Cassem Elliot Cassem 6'1" | 205 lbs | RB Reed Custer | 2022 State IL as he has a similar playing style. Playing as RB2 he was still able to finish with 505 rushing yards for 12 TDs, which is impressive to say the least. On defense, this young man was able to rack up 125 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 interception. Safe to say that you could see this two way player not only make his mark during his Senior Season Campaign but also here at the Showcase. What I’m interested in is seeing where he decided to take a majority of his snaps during this showcase as he can be a threat on both sides of the ball. In terms of being at halfback, I am curious to see where his pass catching skill set is at. At linebacker, I’m interested to see how he can cover those deep shots downfield when he’s matched up with a speed back.
Tristan Villarreal Tristan Villarreal 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Hampshire | 2023 State IL 2023 Hampshire Twitter
Mr. Villarreal is a young man that I recently covered in a scouting analysis who has provided insight into the potential that he has yet to unleash in both the ground game and in the air attack. He does have the ability to break long runs but doing so on a consistent basis is an area he has room to improve upon. What I’m most interested to see from this young man at the showcase is his route tree and how he’ll fair going up against the linebacker competition that’s come together at the showcase. Mr. Villarreal isn’t afraid to lay out to secure those passes just outside his normal reach and showcases glimpses of his elusiveness as well. We could very well see this young man secure an underneath route during 1 on 1’s and hit a defender with the quick jump cut to leave the defender in the dust to win the rep.
Nicholas Winters Nicholas Winters 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Belvidere North | 2023 State IL 2023 Belvidere North Twitter
Mr. Winters could potentially be one of the top performers as a linebacker during 1 on 1’s as his pass coverage skill set is one to keep an eye on. When he’s in zone coverage, he’s not afraid to close on the receiver quickly to deliver a heavy hit forcing pass breakups. He also has the ability to undercut the route in the hook/curl zone coverage to secure the interception as well. With that being said, he’s going to be spending all of his 1 on 1 reps in man coverage as opposed to zone coverage. This will shed some light on where his man coverage skill set is at as well as where he would need to improve if he wants to be utilized in man coverage at the next level. Regardless, I’m confident that his read step and ability to stay on the receiver’s hip pocket will fair him well in man coverage during the 1 on 1’s.
Zac Laird Zac Laird 6'2" | 170 lbs | LB Athens | 2024 IL 2024 Athens Twitter
Mr. Laird might play in one of the smaller levels of IHSA Football but don’t let that deter you from taking a look at this young man. He can work walked up on the line of scrimmage to generate pressure on the quarterback off the edge and can work as a stacked outside linebacker making his presence felt in run support. The biggest telling about this young man’s game heading into the showcase is how he’s going to fair staying with the halfbacks in pass coverage. If he’s able to utilize his read step and lateral quickness that he utilizes in run support Mr. Laird may very well surprise some people with how he performs.
Ben Alvarez Ben Alvarez 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Yorkville | 2024 State IL 2024 Yorkville Twitter
Mr. Alvarez is coming off his first D1 offer from Central Michigan University and there’s no wonder why as he’s a sight to see when you turn on his tape. I’m interested to see how he fairs in terms of the combine testing to see the numbers that he puts up. I actually had the chance to scout this young man a few months ago. He’s a quick twitch rangy type of defender that can cover sideline to sideline and make his impact felt in both run defense and in pass coverage. What separates this young man from others is how he can make an impact in both man coverage as well as when he’s in zone coverage by making plays on the ball and coming up big for his team. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see this young man make more plays than not during 1 on 1’s when he’s going up against the halfbacks as he typically will cover the slot receiver when dropped back in coverage during this last season.
Ryder Miller Ryder Miller 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB Ottawa | 2024 IL 2024 Ottawa Township Twitter
Mr. Miller finds his playing strengths leaning more towards stopping the run and securing open field tackles. I’m very interested to see how he fairs during 1 on 1’s going up against the halfbacks. His ability to trigger downhill quickly in run support could translate to his pass coverage skillset if he has to turn to run with the halfback. Being able to see this in person will provide a better sense on his potential of being utilized in pass coverage as his current skill set on film is geared more toward being a run stopping inside linebacker. Currently, Mr. Miller has that attacking/aggressive playstyle in run support driving through tackles and not being afraid to meet the ball carrier in the hole. Showcasing that he can also hold his own in pass coverage is only going to improve the way that he can be utilized at the next level.
Walker Owens Walker Owens 6'2" | 200 lbs | RB Wheaton North | 2024 IL 2024 Wheaton North Twitter
Mr. Owens is a young man that’s been on my radar for some time now and one that I got to scout twice in person during this last fall season as well as scout his season highlight tape. For his size, he’s actually quick to get through the hole and has the ability to gain a step on the second level defenders. The reason that’s relevant in terms of this showcase preview is that he uses those same foot quicks in the air attack to gain the step advantage against the linebacker to win over the top when he runs a wheel route along the sideline. What I’m most excited to see out of this young man is the route tree that he can be utilized in and how crisp the breaks at the top of his routes are. I believe that he can develop into a threat in both the ground and air attack over the course of his high school career when it’s all said and done – which is why I’m very excited to see where his route running and pass catching skillset is currently at.
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