Talented 2025 Crop of QBs in the Land of Lincoln

I feel like if you told Bear Bryant that 7th and 8th-grade quarterbacks are receiving athletic scholarships and NIL deals near and sometimes upwards of a million dollars he would laugh in your face and then make you run a gasser. In today’s day and age, recruitment begins early, and hype around young prospects can be particularly intense at the QB position. That shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, as the quarterback is the most influential position in football and a stud signal-caller is a gamechanger of an advantage that cannot be replicated from another spot on the field. When a true QB1 is identified, college programs are more willing to offer a scholarship to a prospect at a young age, and I’m happy to report that the Great State of Illinois has a loaded crop of talented 2025 QBs that I just had to write a report on. Our lead scout at PRzIL - Jordan Amaskane - did a great job in our recent 2025 rankings update of recognizing and ranking young gunslingers in the Land of Lincoln, and I’m here to highlight and evaluate some of these youngins’ in this new feature for PrepRedzoneIllinois. Get to know these rising freshmen and sophomores below and thanks for reading! 2025s [player_tooltip player_id="161508" first="Ethan" last="Plumb"] (St. Charles North) 6’3, 200 lbs. @Eplumb_10 The #1 QB and #1 prospect in the class according to PrepRedzoneIL, Plumb already holds offers from Iowa State and Purdue, as well as a host of prospect camp invites from the likes of Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, Northwestern, and Iowa. A varsity signal-caller last fall, Plumb can throw some darts when he’s rolling out of the pocket and is overall mobile and popped off some impressive runs with the ball in his hands as well. When he sets his feet you can see there is obvious arm strength on display, and I also like how fast he can get the ball out of his hand when he wants to, and I saw some intriguing ball placement as well, especially inside the red zone. At an already strong 6’3, 200+, he already looks every bit of the #1 prospect in Illinois for the class of 2025. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GcbPR">Varsity Film</a> [player_tooltip player_id="299504" first="Carson" last="Boyd"] (East St. Louis) 5’11, 160 lbs. @CartdogBoyd The 2025 class of the East St. Louis Flyers is already overflowing with college football talent, and at the forefront of their offense is the athletic 5’11, 160 lb. quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="299504" first="Carson" last="Boyd"]. In limited varsity action of his freshman season, Boyd showed off his dual-threat prowess, with a big TD run against Belleville West and success completing throws on different routes around the field. The ball gets out of his hand quickly, and although it’s a little hard to tell I think his throwing motion is consistent and clean. I’ll be interested to see if we can get a better indication of his arm strength and accuracy in 2022, so I’m counting down the days until I get more Boyd and Flyers film. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/12830741/61f3076a64df620a20cc3f7e">Freshman SZN</a> [player_tooltip player_id="118787" first="Logan" last="Malachuk"] (Nazareth Academy) 5’11, 175 lbs. @LoganFranchise There’s a new stud QB1 in LaGrange Park and he goes by Malachuk! In 2021 varsity action he went 80-132 (60.61%) for 1,413 yards and 15 TDs and showed off a good arm on downfield throws and opens his tape with a beautiful fade ball off his back foot 30 yards downfield. He keeps his feet active inside and outside of the pocket, has a strong arm for his size, and shows off great touch and accuracy on routes to all three levels of the field. He’s also a good athlete who shows off good poise for a young quarterback with a solid stat line in his first year of varsity action at the prep level. Things are only going up from here too! [player_tooltip player_id="288435" first="Jacob" last="Bell"] (Naperville North) 6’2, 180 lbs. @JacobBell_1 Good size at 6’2, 180 pounds going into his second year of high school and contributed mostly in non-varsity action last season. With a live arm that can move the ball downfield with accurate throws on three and five-step drops, he’ll carve up a defense playing zone coverage and is a tough gunslinger who will hang in the pocket through a big hit. His accuracy, even into tight coverage, is impressive to the first level of the field, and he looked dominant in freshman and JV action. He’s still growing into his body, but with some of the good things he’s put on tape, a good frame, and good competition in Naperville, I think it’s safe to say the future is bright. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/11681516/617585fd64df850af4d34264">Freshman Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="278895" first="Burke" last="Gautcher"] (Sycamore) 6’2, 190 lbs. @burke_gautcher With a long, lean frame, the Sycamore 2025 can sling the ball downfield with confidence and shows some really impressive burst and speed as a ball carrier when he tucks and runs. He also got some varsity reps last fall and made the most of them, and is mobile and able to execute read-option fakes and boots and then set his feet to deliver a strike. I also like his touch as a passer, and he’s a good athlete who has the chance to be very dominant as he continues to grow and develop. He’s a definite name to keep an eye outside of DeKalb. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GAfYr">Freshman Tape</a> [player_tooltip player_id="131488" first="Jack" last="Elliott"] (Mount Carmel) 6’ 185 lbs. @JackElliott09 Playing on the freshman squad for CCL power Mount Carmel, Elliott is accurate and mobile on the run and shows good touch on his passes, especially in the red zone. He also gets rid of the ball quickly and can buy time and extend plays with his legs when things break down. Has some work to do in the weight room and on the dinner table but was a productive figurehead for the Caravan’s freshman squad in 2021. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-352773" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/100-Jack-Elliott.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Elliott [player_tooltip player_id="241121" first="Jackson" last="Alcorn"] (Burlington Central) 6’1, 190 lbs. @AlcornJackson Missed the last game with a foot injury but is back 100% for 2022 with the Burlington Central Rockets. As a non-varsity contributor last fall, Alcorn rocks a big, strong frame that is noticeable against JV and freshman competition and is a good athlete at the position who can break tackles in the pocket and keep the offense humming and moving with possession passes around the first and second level of the field. He’s also a shortstop on the baseball team. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/16464729/61760cca041d870508f275cf">Freshman Season #4</a> [player_tooltip player_id="201957" first="Marcus" last="Thaxton"] (Morgan Park) 6’, 170 lbs. @Da_Future25 The Morgan Park QB played varsity as a freshman and did a good job of delivering the football to the Mustangs playmakers and is athletic and capable of making accurate passes into tight coverage and small windows, especially over the middle of the field. Thaxton has some bright days ahead of him. [player_tooltip player_id="252528" first="Brandon" last="Parades"] (Plainfield East) 5’11, 160 lbs. @BPARADES1 The Bolingbrook product and Plainfield East rising sophomore totaled 1,200 passing yards, 70 rushing yards, and 14 total TDs as a freshman quarterback on varsity. Although he was skinny last season, it didn’t stop him from making plays, as the young buck was especially effective when rolling to his right outside of the pocket. He also completed some nice passes from inside the pocket as well, where the ball comes out of his hand with some noticeable velocity for a younger, undersized gunslinger. He can take advantage of lapses in coverage and can process and make decisions quickly when needed. I like what I’m seeing on tape and I’m looking forward to seeing how he steps up his production next season. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GKHwz">2021 Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="252476" first="Gaetano" last="Carbonara"] (Montini Catholic) 5’10, 180 lbs. @guy_qb_carbs4 In three games of non-varsity action in ’21 the Downers Grove native posted a 64% completion percentage for 430 yards and six TDs to only one interception. He can put the ball where only his wideout can snag it and is capable of completing the high-percentage throws to keep his offense moving. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-243787" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/70-Gaetano-Carbonara.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Carbonara [player_tooltip player_id="213819" first="Colton" last="Gumino"] (Hersey) 6’, 160 lbs. @cjguminoQB The already-named PRZ Showcase standout and alum, Gumino is hitting the summer camp circuit hard after a freshman season in 2021 that saw him post a 91% completion percentage and 12 TDs in five games of freshman and JV action last fall for York High School. Now at John Hersey in Arlington Heights, Gumino was effective at executing a read-option offensive attack thanks to his ability to read his keys and see the field well. He’s a dangerous runner who can also get the ball out of his hand quickly. He’s a good runner and I’m excited to see him at a new high school and offense. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16131662/61512ec54df5910514ceec8b">2021 Season</a> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-352779" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/06/108-Colton-Gumino.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Gumino [player_tooltip player_id="331568" first="Caron" last="Johnson"] (Romeoville) 5’10, 180 lbs. Also is a standout DB, where I could see him getting varsity reps at sooner than QB, but as a signal-caller Johnson brings a naturally big arm to the table as well as a ton of athleticism. He’s fantastic as a runner with game changing speed and vision. [player_tooltip player_id="252482" first="Tony" last="Chahino"] (Geneva) 6’, 190 lbs. @TChahino The Geneva Viking prospect played freshman ball last season but possesses a good frame that he’s still growing into and is shifty and elusive when evading pressure and improvising a play for his offense. His vision in the pocket when scrambling is impressive and sees the field well for a young buck. Decent arm strength as well. I love love love watching him escape pressure, though. [player_tooltip player_id="278885" first="Bradyn" last="Little"] (Quincy Sr.) 5’10, 180 lbs. @BradynLittle As a JV gunslinger last fall, Quincy’s [player_tooltip player_id="278885" first="Bradyn" last="Little"] went 90-163 (55%) for 1,315 yards and 13 TDs to seven interceptions in five games of competition. I like his mechanics, and he gets the ball out of his hand quickly and uses his feet well to complete throws with accuracy on three-step drops when not under pressure. He throws a good ball by the looks of it, but those seven INTs do concern me and I am interested to see if he can improve upon his accuracy numbers and decision making. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GGarR">2021 JV highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="331528" first="Jack" last="Reilly"] (St. Francis) 6’, 170 lbs. @J_Reilly2 Put up an impressive freshman stat line: 72-97 (74%) for 1,213 yards and 18 TDs to only two interceptions! Throws a nice corner route with some good-looking arm strength for a young buck. He can also extend plays with his legs and out of all of the QBs on this 2025 list I think the Naperville native and St. Francis rising sophomore has the highest chance to improve his stock and gain some ground in the PRzIL rankings and the recruiting world. [player_tooltip player_id="316617" first="Chase" last="Jansen"] (Breese Mater Dei) 6’, 180 lbs. @Chase_Jansen3 As a freshman last fall, Jansen shows off the ability to make reads and check through his progressions well for a youngin. He can process what a defense and coverage is giving him and make smart throws based on what he’s seeing. He’ll also run you over when he tucks and goes and uses his legs well when he needs to.