PRZ IL IHSA 8A All State Team: Offensive Edition
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Kicking off the new year, we’re releasing our All State teams which have been compiled after hours upon hours of film eval on each player. This is an extensive process that looks at the top 40 teams in each classification…
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Continue ReadingKicking off the new year, we’re releasing our All State teams which have been compiled after hours upon hours of film eval on each player. This is an extensive process that looks at the top 40 teams in each classification and doing a deep dive into each player on each team – yes I do mean each player which is why it takes a long time to complete. After going through this process of breaking down film and analyzing it, I have decided where each player is listed as either 1st Team, 2nd Team, and Honorable Mention. With 8A football, there are a lot of young men that you can make an argument for being on this list as the talent runs deep on this level. These are my picks after the film eval where you can see hidden gems being picked over those that may have D1 offers etc. based upon their skill set. Without further ado, let’s dive into PRZ IL IHSA 8A All State Team: Offensive Edition.
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1st Team
QB
Highlights
- Makes all level throws (1, 2 & 3)
- deadly foot quicks to him – dual threat QB
- Gets ball out quickly running RPOs
- Good touch on ball & good ball placement
- Extends plays – both with legs & escaping pocket keeping eyes downfield to move the sticks
RB
- Good vision between tackles & to find cutback lane
- Leg drive to shrug off grab tackles
- Gains step on 2nd level & uses long speed to break long TD runs
- Elusive in open space
WR
- Quick off line – stacks defender & can snap route off creating separation from defenders
- Plays above rim consistently – wins over top well on 50/50 ball
- Overall Playmaker
- Deadly Return man
- Not afraid to stalk block on outside for RB
WR
Highlights
- Plays above rim vs double coverage coming down with contested catches
- Catch in traffic using long catch radius
- Elusive in open space
- Big time redzone target
- High points ball when playing above rim on 50/50 balls
- Foot quicks off line of scrimmage to win over top
WR
Highlights
- Good release vs press to win inside/outside release
- Plays above rim very well – comes down with 50/50 balls
- Makes catch in traffic well keeping chains moving
- Big redzone threat & playmaker
- Strong hands & stellar route running
TE
Highlights
- Long catch radius – plays above rim consistently
- Adjusts to backshoulder throws well
- Finds soft spot in zone coverage
- Closes space quickly on defenders in off coverage
- Blocks in-line well in run game
OL
- Dominant at point of attack – aggressive & attacks
- Strong punch jolting defenders upright
- Puts defenders into dirt consistently
- Can block both in-line & in open space well
- Pass pro can both mirror & anchor vs pass rush to tie up defender
- Quick out of stance getting set to block
- Will be big time player
OL
Highlights
- Aggressive at point of attack – strong punch puts defenders into dirt
- Gets to 2nd level blocks well & can put into dirt consistently
- Pass pro – quick punch getting hands inside & rides defender down into dirt
- Plays through whistle – dominant run blocker
OL
Highlights
- Good in-line blocker
- Leg drive through whistle – puts defenders into dirt
- Drive blocks defenders 5+ yards downfield consistently
- Pass pro – mirrors well & can close door quickly keeping pocket clean
OL
Highlights
- Aggressive at point of attack – strong punch jolting defenders upright
- Drive block defenders 5+ yards downfield
- Good in-line blocker
- Pulling through B gap picks up LB & creates lane for RB to hit off the lane he creates
- Pass pro – can anchor absorbing bull rush keeping pocket clean
OL
Highlights
- Puts defenders into dirt consistently when blocking in-line
- Strong punch at point of attack
- Aggressive at point of attack – gets after it
2nd Team
QB
Highlights
- Stands strong in pocket getting ball off under pressure
- Pocket navigation – feels pressure to step up & can escape to extend plays consistently
- Makes all level throws (1, 2 & 3)
- Can work both in platform & on the move
- Has some legs to him – pulls ball down to scramble to keep chains moving
RB
Highlights
- Deadly foot quicks – both inside & outside tackle runs
- Has good long speed
- Good vision
- Used in air attack – takes swing route & breaks along sideline for long TD run
- Playmaker
WR
Highlights
- Crisp route running
- Wins over top on fade routes – can come down with 50/50 balls
- Stacks defender & uses speed cut creating separation at top of route well
- Long catch radius to play above rim
- Can make catch in traffic – keeps chains moving
WR
Highlights
- Quick off line of scrimmage – stacks defenders quickly to win over top
- Deadly seam route out of slot – bends & wins over top
- Plays above rim securing 50/50 balls well
- Stalk blocks in run support
WR
Highlights
- Quick off line of scrimmage to stack defender & win over top
- Goes up for 50/50 balls – high points for contested catch
- Can make catch in traffic – 3 step slant can catch & get vertical breaking long run
- Good job breaking defenders off at top of route with speed cut – creates separation
TE
- Takes rub route & gets vertical for long TD with foot quicks
- Good in-line blocker creating running lane & drives legs through whistle
- Lead blocker when pulling – gets through B gap picking up LB creating lane
- Can check & release to keep chains moving
OL
- Big frame – uses to his advantage both pass pro & blocking in-line
- Leg drive through whistle – at times can put defenders into dirt
- Pass pro – gets hands on quickly & can anchor well keeping pocket clean for QB
OL
- Drive blocks defender 5+ yards downfield
- Good in-line blocker
- Can block in open space on screens – ends up putting OLB/Safety into dirt
- Pass pro – mirrors & can close the door to keep pocket clean
OL
- Good in-line blocker
- Lead blocker when pulling – creates lane off his blocks for RB to hit
- Has strong punch at point of attack
- Pass pro – flashes mirroring to tie up edge rush keeping pocket clean
OL
Drew Jennings
Drew Jennings
- Lead blocker when pulling – gets through B gap creating lane for RB to hit
- Strong punch at point of attack – jolts defenders upright
- Can wash defenders down well
- Pass pro – can mirror to keep pocket clean
OL
Highlights
- Dominant run blocker – aggressive at point of attack
- Jolts defenders upright at point of attack with quick punch
- Gets after it run blocking
- Flashes mirroring in pass pro to keep pocket clean for QB
Honorable Mention
QB
Jonas Williams 26′ Bolingbrook Twitter
Mark Mennecke Mark Mennecke 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Neuqua Valley | 2023 State IL 23′ Neuqua Valley Twitter
RB
Chris Caldwell Chris Caldwell 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB O'Fallon | 2023 State IL 23′ O’Fallon Township Twitter
Nathan Jacobs Nathan Jacobs 5'9" | 165 lbs | RB Naperville North | 2023 IL 23′ Naperville North Twitter
WR
Declan Forde 23′ Loyola Academy Twitter
Miles Cremascoli Miles Cremascoli 6'3" | 205 lbs | ATH New Trier | 2024 State IL 24′ New Trier Twitter
Thomas Coroneos Thomas Coroneos 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Palatine | 2023 State IL 23′ Palatine Twitter
TE
Brandon Amaniampong Brandon Amaniampong 6'5" | 200 lbs | WR Downers Grove South | 2023 State IL 23′ Dowers Grove South Twitter
Nate Branch Nate Branch 6'2" | 220 lbs | TE Palatine | 2023 State IL 23′ Palatine Twitter
OL
Zach Michaels Zach Michaels 6'2" | 240 lbs | OL Plainfield North | 2023 State IL 23′ Plainfield North Twitter
Eric Bower 23′ Huntley Twitter
Danny Zarco Danny Zarco 6'5" | 305 lbs | OL Lyons Township | 2024 IL 24′ Lyons Township Twitter
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