2024 Stat Monsters: Receving Leaders in Illinois

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having an elite quarterback is a huge asset to any offense. But those quarterbacks would be nothing without elite receiving cores surrounding them. With a team's throwing capability becoming more of an important aspect of an explosive offense, having a good quarterback with a strong receiving core has become the main point for coordinators across the country. Here are some of the Illinois leaders in receiving for the class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["161322"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e2022 Stats:u003c/strongu003ernrnu003cstrongu003e37 Receptions - 1082 Yards Receiving - 29.2 Yards per Reception - 77.3 Yards per Game - 17 Touchdownsu003c/strongu003ernrnComing out of IC Catholic Prep, [player_tooltip player_id='161322' first='KJ' last='Parker'] is one of the leading receivers in the state of Illinois for the class of 2024. This should come as no surprise with his teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='161346' first='Dennis' last='Mandala'], being one of the state's top passers. From the looks of it, KJ seems to be the go-to target for the Knights with a stat line like his. Going for over 70 yards a game throughout a season is nothing to overlook. With the consistent attack between KR and Dennis, it is clear that they are an absolute nightmare for defenses. After looking at some of KJ's stats between games, it is clear that his dominance was made known with a 222-yard performance early on in the season. On film, KJ is a smooth runner, making him a verticle threat in the passing game. His sure-handed nature helps him guarantee completions no matter what kind of coverage he is facing. From everything that I have seen from KJ, I am not surprised to see him begin to stack up Division 1 offers this early in the recruiting game. If KJ continues to build off of last season, I am sure that he is going to be one of the most sought-after wideouts coming out of the state of Illinois.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["158489"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e2022 Stats:u003c/strongu003ernrnu003cstrongu003e47 Receptions - 1022 Yards Receiving - 21.7 Yards per Reception - 102 Yards per Game - 13 Touchdownsu003c/strongu003ernrnGlenbard South's Standout receiver [player_tooltip player_id='158489' first='Cam' last='Williams'] is another member of an elite quarterback and wideout combo. With [player_tooltip player_id='168907' first='Michael' last='Champagne'] in the pocket, Cam has excelled in producing major stats for Glenbard South's offense. The future member of the Fight Irish averaged over 100 yards per game and was a proven spark for their offense with over 20 yards per reception. Cam is one of the smoother route runners that I have had the chance to evaluate and his speed makes him almost impossible to cover. Cam's pure athleticism allows him to step through coverage easily and work around defenders with the ball in his hands. The most impressive aspect of Cam's game is his explosion. With his high-point capability when he goes up for a ball, watching him going up for a jump ball is flat-out unfair for the defenders around him. From what I have seen, the Fighting Irish have landed a big-time receiver who will have a huge impact at Notre Dame in the future.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["271291"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e2022 Stats:u003c/strongu003ernrnu003cstrongu003e65 Receptions - 1010 Yards Receiving - 15.5 Yards per Reception - 101 Yards per Game - 8 Touchdownsu003c/strongu003ernrnWith another member of a dynamic duo in Illinois, [player_tooltip player_id='271291' first='Michael' last='Prokos'] is an elite receiver coming out of Crystal Lake South. With him having a quarterback like [player_tooltip player_id='333919' first='Caden' last='Casimino'], I am not surprised that he was able to put numbers up like he did this last season. With him catching right around 6 passes a game, Michael seemed to be the main guy to start generating offense for Crystal Lake South. With him averaging over 15 yards per reception, Michael was good for a first down almost every time he had the ball in his hands. On film, Michael has developed a reputation for himself as an elite route runner with a nose for the endzone. With his miraculous catching capability, Michael is the type of receiver who just needs the ball to be near him to make the grab. With everything I have seen from Michael, I am sure he will be one of the leading receivers in the state next year. Crystal Lake South is going to have an electric passing attack heading into the 2024 season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["160515"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e2022 Stats:u003c/strongu003ernrnu003cstrongu003e51 Receptions - 1013 Yards Receiving - 19.9 Yards per Reception - 92.1 Yards per Game - 16 Touchdownsu003c/strongu003ernrnMorgan Park's [player_tooltip player_id='160515' first='Chris' last='Durr'] put together an awesome 2022 season, making him another stat monster look out for. With him being one of the major force through the air last year, Chris eclipsed the 1000 yard mark with ease. With him almost averaging 20 yards per catch, Chris is a proven big play threat for defenses. Chris is a shifty route runner who had no problem getting in and out of breaks with ease. His elusive speed made it almost impossible for defenders to catch him once he broke through the last line of defense. From everything that I have seen from Chris, it is clear that he is going to be one of the biggest names to come out of Northern Illinois next season. I am expecting Chris to have another big season in 2023.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["354219"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e2022 Stats:u003c/strongu003ernrnu003cstrongu003e54 Receptions - 963 Yards Receiving - 17.8 Yards per Reception - 87.5 Yards per Game - 16 Touchdownsu003c/strongu003ernrnShowing out for Macomb High School, [player_tooltip player_id='354219' first='JT' last='Jeter'] is another force to be reckoned with at wideout. JT is a touchdown machine who was good for at least one touchdown in every game this season. JT seemed to be one the ones who could spark his offense with a little over five receptions a game. With him producing over 80 yards a game, he was a huge part of Macomb's offensive production. On film, Jt is another wideout with deep-threat capability. His quick burst and route running allowed him to find windows in the defense and expose them. With him having outstanding catching capability, JT is a receiver who can catch almost everything that comes his way. From everything that I have seen from him, Jt is a young receiver with a high upside. If he continues to follow this trajectory, I am sure that he will find himself at the top of the receiving boards in 2023.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["271903"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e2022 Stats:u003c/strongu003ernrnu003cstrongu003e45 Receptions - 780 Yards Receiving - 17.3 Yards per Reception - 78 Yards per Game - 15 Touchdownsu003c/strongu003ernrnMt. Zion's wideout [player_tooltip player_id='271903' first='Grant' last='McAtee'] is another stat monster at wide receiver. With a quarterback like [player_tooltip player_id='353997' first='Makobi' last='Adams'], it is clear that the combo was able to light it up under the Friday night lights last season. Grant was good for over 15 yards a catch last season helping his offense produce chunk plays throughout the game. Racking up 78 yards a game is also no small feat as Grant proved to be a major asset to Mt. Zion's offense. Grant's film displays several posterized catches as he was found doing everything it takes to go and make the catch. His catching in traffic proves to be second to none and caused problems for the defensive backfield on any given play. Grant is also a sneaky fast route runner who seemed to blow the top off of coverages whenever he had the chance. From what I have seen from Grant, Mt. Zion is going to be explosive through the air next season. If Grant follows the trajectory that he is on, I do not doubt that he is going to have a big season this year.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Brady Clodfelder","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Villa Grove","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e2022 Stats:u003c/strongu003ernrnu003cstrongu003e46 Receptions - 787 Yards Receiving - 17.1 Yards per Reception - 78.7 Yards per Game - 10 Touchdownsu003c/strongu003ernrnVilla Grove's Brady Clodfelder had a huge season in 2022. Brady's junior year campaign showcased phenomenal highlights that sent shockwaves around Central Illinois. Grabbing over 40 receptions and averaging 78.7 yards a game showed everyone that Brady is a wideout that needs to know about. Brady has the speed to be a vertical threat on any given play. With that Brady is sure-handed by nature and has no problem completing the catch no matter what is going on around him. With everything that I have seen from Brady, he is showing signs of being the complete package. The gritty two-way player is going to have a bright future in football. Watch out for Brady and Villa Grove next season.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f51b56d7de3"} /-->