Who Is Vying To Be Among IL’s Top Quarterbacks in the 2024 Class?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Illinois' 2024 class is loaded with talented quarterbacks and this list is just the beginning of it. I scoured through hours of tape and I still want more names. If you have someone you think I need to see, please DM them to me at @hsfbscout on twitter!</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><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='271825' first='Cole' last='Crafton'] 6'3" 205, Lincoln Way-West</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fearless inside the pocket and willing to take a shot from an unblocked defender. Crafton shows excellent timing as an intermediate thrower, quick operation time on RPOs, and throws the deep out with authority.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='153390' first='Troyer' last='Carlson'] 6'2" 180, Kaneland</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has a backyard style of play that bodes well when the pocket breaks down. On tape, he's got a rocket arm, an innate ability to improvise, and can modify his arm slot to make awkward window throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='121350' first='Alessio' last='Milivojevic'] 6'2" 205, St. Francis</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pure passer with impressive accuracy, completing 70% of his passes in 2022. Throws are consistently in-stride right on the numbers, he's a quick processor who will move all the way to his third &amp; fourth read, and has twitchy hips to put enough mustard behind vertical shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>AJ Palicki, 6'4" 2025, Willowbrook</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A calm presence in the pocket with a fluid throwing motion. Palicki steps up into the pocket with his eyes searching downfield, can place the football between two defenders, and has the capability of making off-platform throws. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='271802' first='Ryan' last='Boe'] 6'3" 195, Batavia</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good size, exceptional touch, and has a rifle of an arm attached to him. Boe is a strong runner, with good straight-line speed, and is poised, regardless of what's going on around him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='453209' first='Cale' last='McThenia'] 6'3" 210, Marian Central Catholic</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He easily distributes his weight from his lower half to his upper half and is always in rhythm with his targets. He moves safeties with eyes &amp; identifies man coverage pre-snap and will take a shot if given a 1 on 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530042' first='Connor' last='Dennis'] 6'2" 175, Rockford Boylan</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A teardrop thrower that will place the go ball right over his target's shoulder. His footwork stays tight, he gets the ball out of his hand fast in quick game, and can throw receivers open in the intermediate-vertical area of the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='271286' first='Robert' last='Battle'] 6'1" 170, East St. Louis</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A complete quarterback prospect that can beat you over the top with his arm or scramble &amp; make you pay on the ground. Battle is deadly off-play-action, shows well-trained footwork and a quick setup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='253446' first='Jett' last='Hilding'] 6'2" 180, St. Rita</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong anticipatory thrower with exceptional velocity that can put the football away from incoming defenders. He has some hidden athleticism that will come to the forefront when asked to carry the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Ethan Kohl, 6'3" 175, Bradley Bourbonnais</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has the capability to work a full field read and is more than willing to check it down rather than throw it up for grabs. Kohl stands tall in the pocket, glides forward with edge pressure, and can make nosey safeties pay over the top.</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 {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><em>Other Names to Watch</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='333919' first='Caden' last='Casimino'], 5'11" 180, Crystal Lake South</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='271786' first='Jake' last='Curry'], 6' 185, Edwardsville</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->