PRZ IL Showcase Top Performers: Defense

This past Saturday, we were out in Westmont for the Prep Redzone Illinois Showcase. The camp was filled with talent on both sides of the ball and featured a plethora of division one prospects from around the state. These were my top performers on the defensive side of the ball from Saturday. <hr /> <em><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><strong>DL</strong></span></em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="157647" first="Jack" last="Anderson"], 6'3", 235, Glenbard West, JR (DL MVP)</strong> Anderson started on varsity as a sophomore for the hitters and showed us why on Saturday. He explodes off the football with a low pad level, plays with violent hands, and has an abundance of counter moves in his back pocket. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="277121" first="Darion" last="Williams"], 6'3", 230, Homewood Flossmoor, JR</strong> Williams is someone who I think could have a breakthrough junior season. He's got long arms, good bend off the edge, and displayed a quality motor throughout the showcase. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="300366" first="Jemir" last="Hall"], 6'4", 260, Centennial, SR</strong> Hall's size and athleticism were on full display Saturday. Despite weighing two hundred and sixty pounds, Hall still clocked a 5.1 in the 40-yard dash, along with a blistering 4.59 short shuttle. He's a bit raw right now, but he has a ton of upside in my eyes. <strong>Sean Lynch, 6'2", 230, Hinsdale Central, SR</strong> Kid is relentless when it comes to getting to the quarterback and can make you pay with his god-given quickness. He clocked a 4.90 in the 40 to go with a 4.69 short shuttle. &nbsp; <em><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><strong>LB</strong></span></em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="245933" first="Ben" last="Alvarez"], 6'2", 210, Yorkville, JR</strong> Alvarez is an absolute playmaker at sam linebacker. He's got loose hips, outstanding body control, and great initial burst when diagnosing the run. He even proved to be loose and comfortable when matched up on backs in 1 on 1's as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="237522" first="Josh" last="Lambert"], 6'3", 195, Downers Grove North, SR (LB MVP)</strong> Lambert has been a standout at our last two Prep Redzone Illinois events. He's an athletic outside linebacker prospect that can play man like a corner but fill the run like a mike linebacker. I think he's bound for a big senior season. <strong>Nick Naujokas, 6'1", 215, Mount Carmel, SR</strong> A true thumper that is as competitive as they come. Nick can quickly get into his second gear and easily run with backs out of the backfield. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="161201" first="Ryder" last="Miller"], 5'11", 190, Ottawa, JR</strong> Miller clocked a 4.75 in the forty-yard dash to go with a 4.32 short shuttle. He proved to be quite instinctive and showed off impressive range during 1 on 1's. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158007" first="Kiefer" last="Tarnoki"], 5'10", 200, Sycamore, SR</strong> Kiefer started the day with a blistering 4.23 short shuttle. This young man is extremely explosive and has the lateral agility &amp; strong lower half you look for in a linebacker prospect. I think he could be a steal for someone. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="300306" first="Jace" last="Christian"], 6'1", 200, Reed Custer, SR</strong> Christian was primarily a running back in 2021 but showed us a unique skillset at LB on Saturday. He's got outstanding body control in space, is aggressive yet patient, and has the ability to play all three linebacker spots at the next level. &nbsp; <em><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><strong>DB</strong></span></em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="291196" first="Elijah" last="Romeus"], 6', 185, Fenwick, JR</strong> Elijah started the day with a 4.62 forty-yard dash, and it only got better from there. He proved to be physical in man coverage, was fluid during positional drills, and was quite sticky during 1 on 1's. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="354245" first="Corin" last="Greenwell"] 6'1", 175, St. Francis, JR</strong> Corin clocked a 4.66 forty-yard dash and broad jumped 9'3", not bad for a rising junior. He showed relaxed hips during 1 on 1's, the ability to high point the football, along with elite tracking ability. Look for him to make a big impact in his first season on varsity. <strong>CJ Miles, 6', 180, TF South, JR (DB MVP)</strong> Miles was dominant during 1 on 1's and displayed a heavy off-hand jam. He has great recovery speed when beat and tight footwork in press coverage. He's a guy who could see his stock rise very quickly this fall. <hr /> <span style="font-size: 24pt;"><strong>Other Names to Know</strong></span> <strong>DL: [player_tooltip player_id="300722" first="Tyler" last="Reed"], 6'3", 260, Byron, SR</strong> <strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id="252467" first="Kyle" last="Gettemy"], 6'2", 195, Yorkville, SR</strong> <strong>LB: [player_tooltip player_id="300688" first="Thomas" last="Williams"], 6', 190, Downers Grove North, SR</strong> <strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id="333760" first="Joseph" last="Brown"], 5'9", 160, Belvidere North, JR</strong> <strong>DB: Efrein Ramirez, 6', 160, Minooka, JR</strong>