Class 7A Wide Receivers to Watch For: Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second highest classification in the state of Illinois is filled with talent prospects across the board. Today, we shifted our focus to the receiver group and looked at some of 7A's best. Their levels of play vary, from Power-Five prospects to Division III sleepers. Regardless of the level, every one of these young men should be on college's radars come this fall. Look for each of them to have an even bigger 2023 campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, If you have someone you think I need to see, please DM them to me on Twitter at @hsfbscout!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Darrion Gilliam, 6'5" 180, Mount Carmel, 2024</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A silky smooth long strider with exceptional body control for a bigger target. He shows strong hands in traffic, has a plethora of press releases, and is a matchup nightmare in the redzone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Isaiah Houi, 5'10" 160, Hononegah, 2024</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lightning in a bottle with some serious shake once he gets his hands on the football. Houi has noticeable top-end speed, his cuts are violent yet subtle and he's a well-tuned machine as a route runner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Jerrell Benson, 5'10" 150, Lincoln Park, 2025</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benson may be a smaller target, but he's extremely competitive at the top of his route and goes up &amp; high-points the football. He's slippery through contact, has terrific vision to spot the cutback, and has some physicality to his game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='271808' first='Darren' last='Pennell'] 6'1" 170, Collinsville, 2024</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A possession receiver with some serious guts. Pennell has sure hands, solid build-up speed, and understands where the holes are in zone coverage &amp; how to exploit them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='152965' first='Matt' last='Kuczaj'] 6' 175, Wheaton North, 2024</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A well-versed double-move artist with great concentration. Matt can line up on the inside or outside, has a huge catch radius, and can easily sink his hips, &amp; decelerate at the top of his route. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='271278' first='Stephon' last='Sellers'] 5'10" 164, Hoffman Estates, 2024</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Put up 60 catches for 900 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns as a junior. He's fluid out of his breaks, has a second gear to outrun defenders with an angle on him and will lean on defensive backs before bursting away to create separation at the top of his route. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='278883' first='Talyn' last='Taylor'] 6'1" 165, Geneva, 2025</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A complete receiver prospect with ridiculous YAC ability and serious speed. Taylor is a technician as a route runner, can turn a short gain into an explosive play, and has refined feet against press coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->