PRZ Illinois Prospect Tour: Darnell’s Top Performing WRs

A ton of talent traveled to Westmont, IL to participate in our Prep RedZone Illinois Prospect Tour this past weekend. These prospects came out to compete and attempt to raise their stock within Illinois’ recruiting circuit. And if you know anything about our Illinois prospects, they love to compete, which is why these types of showcases are a joy to cover. There are always a handful of prospects that stand out amongst the crowd during competition. So without further ado, let’s get to know some of the top performing wideouts who made a name for themselves at our Prep RedZone Illinois Prospect Tour... <hr /> <h5></h5> <h5><em><strong>Kevin Jackson | Leo ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335237" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/kj-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Jackson flashed the type of speed and quickness that’ll pop the top off a defense and give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares. He did a great job using his feet to beat press coverage and consistently neutralized the defender’s leverage using the stack and stem technique. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158042" first="Jaden" last="Bossie"] | Mount Carmel ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335239" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/jb-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Bossie was the fastest receiver in attendance after clocking a 4.51 in the 40-yard dash. He’s just an all-around phenomenal athlete who performed with a level of poise and confidence you don’t see in many high school prospects. Fundamentally sound in his approach but can also use physicality to win his matchup. <h5><em><strong>Kejuan Fountain | Clark ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335244" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Kejuan-Fountain-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> The evolution of the tight-end position has made it possible for prospects like Fountain to dominate on the field. Fountain has excellent physical tools and moves exceptionally well for a player his size. Flashes soft hands and appears to be a load to bring down once he gets moving. He will be a physical mismatch for defenders in coverage at 6’4", 225 lbs, and moving the way he does. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="300559" first="Mikey" last="Brosnan"] | Saint Patrick ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335290" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Mikey-Brosnan-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Speed kills, and Mikey has a lot of it. Just plays the game at a different pace which can cause problems for the average defensive back. I noticed during 1-on-1s that he was able to consistently gain separation with his speed alone. Definitely one of the more impressive deep threats who attended this showcase. &nbsp; <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="259604" first="Dominic" last="Gradford"] | TF-North ’24</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335256" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Dominic-Gradford-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Gradford is your prototypical slot receiver who I can see having a big season when football resumes in the fall. His quickness and ability to accelerate out of his breaks were two of his most glaring attributes on display at the showcase. Gradford appears to be most dangerous in the catch-and-run game. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="289338" first="Torey" last="French"] | Carmel ’24</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335263" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Torey-French-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> French has the potential to be a game-changing receiver entering his junior year. Can lineup inside or outside and has the speed and quicks to eat up a defensive back’s cushion in an instant. He’s a vertical threat and a polished route-runner who can move the chains in the intermediate passing attack. Flashed an excellent pair of hands while making some impressive contested catches during the showcase. <h5><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="132936" first="Blayne" last="Sisson"] | Mt. Carmel ’24</em></strong></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335289" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Blayne-Sisson-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Sisson’s combination of size and speed makes him a promising prospect at the receiver position. He plays quarterback during the season, so he’s going to see the field differently from most receivers. But that’s to his advantage because I can already tell he has a good idea of finding voids in a zone. He’s tough enough to work in the middle of the field and has the speed to beat you deep, along with a pretty good catch radius. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="299529" first="Omar" last="Coleman"] | Plainfield North ’25</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335264" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Omar-Coleman-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> An absolute blur on the field that was pretty much unguardable throughout the entire showcase. His route-running and ability to create separation are off the charts. Utilizes his speed and quickness to get anywhere he wants on the field and is as shifty as they come. A good leaper with sticky hands that caught nearly everything that was thrown at him. He came into this showcase virtually unknown and left as the wide receiver MVP and earned himself a spot on EVERYONE’S radar. <h5><em><strong>Deric Cooper | Zion-Benton ’24</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335269" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Deric-Cooper-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Cooper was one of the more polished route-runners in attendance. His routes were crisp and precise, and it was almost effortless the way he got in and out of his breaks which allowed him to create a ton of separation and be an easy target for his quarterback. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="300358" first="Jayden" last="Cook"] | Lincoln-Way East ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335270" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Jayden-Cook-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Cook is physically put together and already understands how to utilize his frame to win his matchups on the outside. Has a powerful and explosive release off the LOS which can make a defensive back think twice before pressing him. BHe brings good speed to the position and some impressive leaping ability, enabling him to be a significant threat in the vertical passing attack. <h5><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="299461" first="Cameron" last="Ashley"] | Simeon ’23</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335274" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Cameron-Ashley-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> I was already familiar with Ashley before this showcase, but there was one part of his game that stood out this past weekend. I think his speed is really an underrated part of his skillset. I watched him blow by multiple defenders and get vertical in an instant. He’s also an improved route-runner with the physical attributes to make contested catches. <h5><em><strong>Walter Davis | Carl Sandburg ’24</strong></em></h5> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335282" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Walter-Davis-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Davis probably had the strongest set of mittens at the showcase. I was amazed by his hand placement and how he would engulf the ball when he caught it. This skill allows him to find ways of coming down with the ball even when he’s covered. We didn’t measure hand size at the showcase, but I’m confident that Davis’s hands must be massive in size.