Land of Lincoln 2024s Rising on the Recruiting Trail pt. 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy Friday, everybody. Although it's currently an NCAA quiet period, meaning coaches can only have face-to-face contact with prospects at their college campus, the recruiting trail is still hot and we are seeing a ton of FBS and FCS offers go out to talented Land of Lincoln juniors, sophomores, and even freshman. In fact, so many noteworthy offers are going out to Illinois 2024 football recruits that I have a second edition of my recent <em>PrepRedzoneIL </em>feature for our lovely subscribers. A culmination of years of hard work and focus, the critical junior year offseason has been more than fruitful for these 13 Illinois products and we are excited to highlight how they are boosting their stock, solidifying their D1 status, and of course, rising up on the recruiting trail. Keep it up, fellas! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-- </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["271818"],"_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":"We're kicking things off with a junior right at the genesis of his recruitment's explosion, as 6'3, 205 lb. u003cemu003eGenevau003c/emu003e OLB and three-sport standout u003cstrongu003eTommy Diamondu003c/strongu003e is three days out from his first college opportunity. It was a solid one, as the prestigious FCS Ivy League competitor UPenn reached out with a roster spot on Tuesday. It makes sense too, as u003cstrongu003eDiamondu003c/strongu003e holds a 4.07 unweighted GPA and earned Academic All-Conference distinction in addition to his First Team Dukane All-Conference nod for his gridiron exploits this past fall. He's also been in contact with Miami (OH) for a few months and just earned a Western Michigan junior day invite to boot. On tape, it's clear he's a versatile OLB, and showed good things in run support, pass defense, and when rushing the QB, and I love how comfortable he is in space. With sideline-to-sideline range and the pursuit speed to run down plays from the backside, u003cstrongu003eDiamondu003c/strongu003e is also physical when attacking blocks and tackling and can play out in the flats as an off-ball OLB or succeed inside the box as a standup EDGE. I'm also intrigued by his bend and lateral agility when rushing the passer. These skills, not to mention his 6'3, 205 lb. frame that is capable of adding a ton more good weight, makes me confident in that offer list growing, and growing quickly. Good luck the rest of this basketball season, u003cstrongu003eTommyu003c/strongu003e!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["271810"],"_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":"The CCL has, have been, and always will be manufacturing massive linebacker prospects, and the u003cemu003eMt. Carmel Caravanu003c/emu003e have a good one on their hands in 6'3, 230 lb. u003cstrongu003eParker Startzu003c/strongu003e. Still only 16 years old, u003cstrongu003eStartzu003c/strongu003e helped the u003cemu003eCaravanu003c/emu003e to a 14-0 undefeated Class 7A state championship this past fall and has seen his personal and team success pay off with five FBS offers since January 20th, with Marshall, Miami (OH), Ball State, Toledo, and Army joining the four MAC competitors who offered the 'backer last spring. His 2022 highlights show off an ILB who is a hammer at the point of attack and efficient, conscious, and consistent in his footwork and body positioning in his reads and responsibilities. He doesn't waste steps, reads his keys and the field well, and closes quickly. Good comfortability in space for a LB for his size and thumps ball carriers like you'd hope a 230 lber. would. Production and success against good competition, successful film, and college-ready size are a few of the many things going for u003cstrongu003eStartzu003c/strongu003e as a prospect.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["353992"],"_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":"The Aurora's product alluring size (6'5, 215) and positional versatility (DE/TE/LB/WR) from 2022 immediately jump off the page when looking at u003cemu003eWaubonsie Valley'su003c/emu003e u003cstrongu003eJulian Johnsonu003c/strongu003e, and things get better from there. After a busy fall on the recruiting trail and about half a dozen unofficial gameday visits, u003cstrongu003eJohnson's u003c/strongu003ehard work began to pay off in January when Northern Illinois reached out to become his first college football offer. After that good news on January 4th, the likes of Ball State, Miami (OH), Western Michigan, and Illinois State all joined in his recruitment, and his size, dynamic ability, and 81u0022 wingspan should all help him to be an eye-catcher on the summer camp circuit. During the fall, u003cstrongu003eJohnsonu003c/strongu003e displayed a knack for coming down with contested catches as a pass catcher and used his long strides to cover a ton of ground in pursuit and has some good reps running down QBs who are rolling out to the opposite side of the field. Also shows some giddy up as DE out of his stance and when he gets the ball in his hands offensively. He looks good on both sides of the ball and it's hard to not love his length and how much ground he covers with those gazelle-like strides. More offers coming!","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Charles Miles ","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Mt. Carmel ","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Another u003cemu003eMt. Carmelu003c/emu003e junior, 6'1, 185 lb. DB u003cstrongu003eCharles Milesu003c/strongu003e saw his offer sheet get going during the summer camp szn as he earned offers from Central Michigan and Eastern Illinois last June. This resulted in some fall unofficials, and in February things picked up again as Western Michigan and Illinois State offered FBS and FCS scholarship offers, respectively. The state champion cornerback possesses length, clean footwork and good technique, and will come up and enforce the run when called upon. Yet another u003cemu003eCaravan u003c/emu003eD1 prospect to know.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["299518"],"_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":"Continuing the legacy of stud u003cemu003eSimeonu003c/emu003e prospects and representing the u003cemu003eWolverinesu003c/emu003e 2024 class is 6'3, 260 lb. defensive lineman u003cstrongu003eMikeshun Beeleru003c/strongu003e. A city champion and All-City DE in 2022, Beeler posted 77 tackles, 21 TFLs, 10 sacks, and 6 FFs and saw his in-season production pay off in a B1G offer from Nebraska in late October. NIU and Ohio then joined in November, and since the season ended u003cstrongu003eBeeleru003c/strongu003e saw Bowling Green State, Western Michigan, Marshall, Ball State, Kent State, Southern Illinois, Illinois State, and Buffalo. That offer sheet is expanding quickly, and once you turn on the tape you can see why. u003cstrongu003eBeeleru003c/strongu003e has a ton of ways he can blocking attempts, and I especially love how he uses his hands to push/pull, chop/rip, or just straight up bull rush tackles and guards far into the backfield. He also shows some twitch, can get skinny through the hole when necessary, and is overall an impressive athlete who is bigger, faster, stronger, and better than his opponents. That's always a good mix for success, and u003cstrongu003eBeeleru003c/strongu003e has some eye-popping plays of him slamming RBs down one-handed and running down QBs like a 6'3, 260 lb. cannonball. I would not want to be a OT facing off against u003cemu003eSimeon'su003c/emu003e DL in 2023.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["361078"],"_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":"Coming out of talent-rich Naperville, u003cemu003eCentral High Schoolu003c/emu003e All-Conference and All-Area lineman u003cstrongu003eGrant Ellingeru003c/strongu003e is having himself a strong spring on the recruiting trail and has earned offers from UPenn, Dartmouth, Columbia, Indiana State, and Fordham since early February. u003cstrongu003eEllinger u003c/strongu003eis strong and mean, which makes for an excellent combo on film, and I love his strong punch, low pad level, square base, and violent leg drive that makes for seemingly easy and definitely powerful finishes. Also has a great pass set, a big motor, and a nasty streak that I would love to have on my OL. Honestly, I'm surprised this offer list isn't longer! Keep an eye out for this u003cemu003eRedhawku003c/emu003e going forward.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["245933"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"The well-built linebacker out of u003cemu003eYorkvilleu003c/emu003e has one of my favorite qualities you can find in a defensive prospect and sports a monster multi-sport background as a state champion and All-State wrestler. u003cstrongu003eBen Alvarezu003c/strongu003e  is coming off a very recent 220 lb. state championship and can add the hardware to his growing mantle piece that includes two All-Conference and All-Area nods as a linebacker on the gridiron. The 6'2, 220 lber. is also a team captain and holds a 4.4 unweighted GPA. After a MAC offer from Central Michigan in April of 2022, things are back up and rollin' as Eastern Michigan, Lindenwood, Columbia, Air Force, Dartmouth, and Army have all thrown their names in the mix for u003cstrongu003eAlvarez'su003c/strongu003e talent. This past fall, he posted 50 tackles, 9 TFLs, a sack, a pick-six, and a defensive touchdown to go along with 22 carries for 123 yards and 2 TDs and four receptions for 60 yards as a fullback. The speed shows up on tape first, as the 220 lber. drops underneath an out-route for his INT and flies upfield in pursuit of the ball in impressive fashion for a 'backer of his size. He's also got some solid offensive reps showing off balance and tackle-breaking ability with the ball in his hand, and I love some of the hits he put on opponents in 2022. It's been a heckuva junior year for u003cstrongu003eAlvarezu003c/strongu003e so far. Keep it going, young man!","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["277136"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"The u003cemu003eMaine Southu003c/emu003e junior is fresh off his first offer as FCS Illinois State reached out with a scholarship opportunity on February 21st. 6', 170 lb. WR u003cstrongu003eMaurice Densmoreu003c/strongu003e was an All-Conference and Academic All-State pick this past fall after posting 47 catches for 705 yards for 7 total TDs while adding 10 tackles, a PBU, an INT, and a fumble recovery in five games of defensive action. Soft hands, great ball tracking skills, and the body control to contort himself and consistently pull off tough catches to his back shoulder, high in the air, and on 50/50 balls. I also like some of his footwork as a route runner and when he lines up as a CB. u003cstrongu003eDensmoreu003c/strongu003e is a good athlete with a big catch radius who is going to fight for every ball thrown his way. More offers will be coming.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Ethan Hogg ","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Loyola Academy ","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Yet another u003cemu003eLoyola Academyu003c/emu003e prospect with intriguing size, 6'4, 215 lb. junior u003cstrongu003eEthan Hoggu003c/strongu003e helped the u003cemu003eRamblers u003c/emu003eto an 8A state championship in 2022 and saw his recruitment take off in January when the Ohio Bobcats became college offer #1 for the 2024 outside linebacker/EDGE. After that, Lindenwood, Kent State, and Army have joined the fray, and with the amount of time left in this offseason and how popular of a destination u003cemu003eLoyolau003c/emu003e is for college programs it's a safe bet that the offers are going to continue to roll in this spring and summer. As his frame would suggest, u003cstrongu003eHoggu003c/strongu003e has great length, and I like his understanding of defending the edge of the defense and being patient in his reads when scraping down the LOS or keeping contain. u003cstrongu003eHoggu003c/strongu003e is also strong enough to beat blocks with power, quick enough to beat OTs to their outside shoulder, and can pull off twists and stunts all over the field. The 215 lber. is also a good tackler and comfortable in space and lined up all over the defense in 2022. Tons to like in his large and still-growing skillset.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["271784"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Coming out of talent-rich Southern IL and the especially loaded St. Louis metro area north of the border, u003cemu003eO'Fallon Townshipu003c/emu003e 6'2, 160 lb. cornerback u003cstrongu003eJordan Suggsu003c/strongu003e posted 41 tackles, 5 PBUs, and 3 INTs in 2022 and has seen his stock boost in the D1 stratosphere since February. Ball State reached out first, and shortly after Indiana State, Western Michigan, Southeast MO, Lindenwood, Akron, and Illinois State have offered scholarships in less than a month. u003cstrongu003eSuggs u003c/strongu003eis a patient DB, and is natural u0026amp; comfortable in zone, able to quickly sneak into passing lanes or lay a big hit when he comes up and breaks on a route. I also like his physicality in press or off-man coverage and at the catch point, and that aforementioned patience made him very productive against shorter, underneath routes all around the field. Also laid some great hits in 2022 and had himself some strong reps against powerhouse u003cemu003eEast St. Louisu003c/emu003e.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_10_player_details_player_name":"Gary Rutherford ","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_10_player_details_graduating_class":"2024 ","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_10_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_10_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_10_player_details_school":"Peoria ","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_10_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_10_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_10_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eGary Rutherfordu003c/strongu003e, and his 6'3, 200 lb. frame, were a big part of u003cemu003ePeoria'su003c/emu003e thrilling state championship run and title game and played WR, LB, FS, FB, and OLB last fall for the u003cemu003eLionsu003c/emu003e. He's also a competitive wrestler and track u0026amp; field athlete, and is fresh off two new FCS offers from Western Illinois and Illinois State, both of which rolled in in February. Long, strong, and dynamic, u003cstrongu003eRutherfordu003c/strongu003e has great range and uses his long strides to cover a ton of ground in run and pass defense. When you combine that with his motor and speed and you see some impressive reps on his junior tape of him running down ball carriers fall downfield or making plays on out-breaking routes from the MLB position or from the backside of the LOS. Also strong and physical when tackling or taking on blockers and can be an aggressive and productive presence on the edge when he lines up there. I like u003cstrongu003eRutherfordu003c/strongu003e as a LB at the next level and his physical skillset, as well as motor and general hustle, would make for an awesome addition to a collegiate LB room. College coaches: get at him!","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_11_player_details_player_name":"Devion Reynolds ","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_11_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_11_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_11_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_11_player_details_school":"Carmel Catholic ","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_11_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_11_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"I have and always will love Lake County high school sports and had a good buddy in college come out of the u003cemu003eCarmelu003c/emu003e u003cemu003eCatholicu003c/emu003e football program, so DB u003cstrongu003eDevion Reynoldsu003c/strongu003e has been on my radar for a little bit now and I was ecstatic when his recruitment kicked off at the end of January when Northern Illinois offered a FBS scholarship from the MAC. Illinois State has also joined in on the offer sheet, and he should see more FCS and FBS scholarship opportunities come in before things are all said and done. In his junior tape, the 6'1, 170 lber. displays length, comfortability in zone coverage, and has that unteachable knack of always being around the football. You can see him communicating, reading, and quickly reacting to developing route concepts as they unfurl in front of him, which is always a good skill for a DB to have, and I like how he fires out of his breaks as well. Keep it up, u003cstrongu003eMr. Reynoldsu003c/strongu003e!","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["436477"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"u003cemu003ePRzILu003c/emu003e is wrapping things up with another CCL and u003cemu003eLoyola Academyu003c/emu003e junior as 6'3, 270 lb. u003cstrongu003eKyle Baltazaru003c/strongu003e has also seen his recruitment take off since the u003cemu003eRamblersu003c/emu003e 8A state championship season ended. Also a state champion lacrosse player, u003cstrongu003eBaltazaru003c/strongu003e has earned offers from Indiana State, UPenn, Fordham, and Lindenwood since early February and is far from done on the recruiting trail. The OG is a mobile and efficient when pulling and folding, shows off good leg drive and hand placement, and has some solid reps of him winning pass sets and using DL's momentum and poor body positioning against them. u003cstrongu003eBaltazaru003c/strongu003e is a violent, in-your-face type of offensive lineman and laid some big blocks in 2022. I'm a big fan of the comfortability he's showing in pass protection. The size, quality of competition, and state championship experience are all working in his favor as well. If you need D1 lineman than u003cemu003eWilmetteu003c/emu003e is a must-stop!","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":13,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6403a8c942d95"} /-->