Top returners for the Illini Prairie Conference

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we bring you another top small-school conference south of I-80 in the Illinois Prairie League. Home to some traditional powers such as Bloomington Central Catholic, St. Joe Ogden and Tolono, this league is always a contender come November. Here are some of the top returners for 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["271329"],"_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":"Nasty two way player for BCC, his future definitely lies on the offensive side of the ball at OL. Plays with a real mean streak when run blocking and has the athletic ability and frame to pack on the pounds to handle defensive linemen at the next level. Has the leverage and footwork to be effective in pass protection as well, he usually finishes his blocks by putting somebody on the ground. He has some yet to receive an offer but has visited Ohio and Ball State. Look for a big season from Dom in 2023 leading the Saints on and off the field. His Twitter handle is u003cspan class=u0022css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0u0022u003e@DominicMcKibbinu003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["271328"],"_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":"This enormous QB prospect out of Bloomington Central Catholic was an absolute monster in 2022. He stands 6'6, weighs over 215 pounds and had the ability to eclipse 1000 yards in both passing AND rushing. He does a great job of standing tall (no pun intended) in the pocket and his stride may look slow at first but once he gets into the open field he is tough to track down. He possesses above average arm strength and has the accuracy to put it right where it needs to go. Believe it or not, he's also an excellent basketball player for the Saints but his future lies on the gridiron. He has made some Big10 visits and I see many more in his future after a big summer and 2023 season. His Twitter handle is u003cspan class=u0022css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0u0022u003e@ColinHayes25u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":684504,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Logan Smith","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"St. Joseph Ogden High School","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"This first year starter for the Spartans proved to be well worth the wait as he threw for over 2500 yards and almost 30 touchdowns while completing 60% of his passes. Add in the athletic ability to escape pressure and ice running through his veins to take the hardest of hits and you've got yourself a pretty elite small school QB talent. He has enough arm talent to get the ball downfield where it needs to go and has just enough zip that he can drive it home on the shorter passes. Another quality basketball player and track athlete in the off-season as well, look for Logan to have a bigger season in 2023 on the field. His Twitter handle is u003cspan class=u0022css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0u0022u003e@Lsmith_5u003c/spanu003e","_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":684515,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Jay Saunders","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Tolono Unity High School","_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":"This big play threat for the Rockets is somebody that needs to be watched at all times on the field. He has the length and stride to beat you over the top but also possesses the break away speed to score from anywhere. Don't let his flash and sizzle side track you though, he is also tough enough to make the hard catches over the middle and does not shy away from traffic on the field. A three sport athlete, look for Jay to improve on his numbers from 2022 (38 catches, 615 yards, 7 touchdowns) as he heads into his senior season of 2023. His Twitter handle is u003cspan class=u0022css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0u0022u003e@Jay_Saunders0u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Luke Teschke","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Monticello High School","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"This Swiss army knife player for the Sages, he did just about everything on the football field for the Sages in 2022. An Illinois State Baseball commit, he played wide receiver, running back, defensive back, returned kicks and even attempted a few passes at QB. Look for those roles to all stay the same as he heads back to the gridiron in 2023. His Twitter handle is u003cspan class=u0022css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0u0022u003e@Luke_Teschkeu003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Garrett Denhart","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"St. Joseph Ogden High School ","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"A true lock down corner for the Spartans, Garrett can handle anything that the offense throws at him. He has the ability to play press man or back off and play zone coverage and he possesses long arms to intercept or knock down passes in his range. He has very fluid hips and has the speed to break on the ball when thrown. Don't let his coverage ability lull you to sleep though, he will come up and make the tackle when needed. His Twitter handle is u003cspan class=u0022css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0u0022u003e@DenhartGarrettu003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6402178931d5c"} /-->