Land of Lincoln Sleepers: Class of 2025
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The state of Illinois is filled with some impressive talent in the game of football. With 2024 recruiting in full swing, I would not be surprised if some of these athletes landed with a big time program. Jovan Clark IL…
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Continue ReadingThe state of Illinois is filled with some impressive talent in the game of football. With 2024 recruiting in full swing, I would not be surprised if some of these athletes landed with a big time program.
Jovan Clark Jovan Clark 6’0″ | 200 lbs | ATH Morgan Park | 2025 State IL of Morgan Park is quickly becoming one of the more recognizable names out of Illinois’ class of 2025. The 6-foot, 195-pound athlete showed out in 2022 with 126 tackles, 8 sacks, and 5 interceptions with two of them being taken back for touchdowns. At linebacker, Jovan played with some natural talent that you don’t usually see this early on in anyone’s career. Jovan plays fast and never seems to waste much motion when he needs to change direction in the middle of the. With his physical nature, Jovan is a seasoned tackler who finishes plays consistently. The most impressive aspect of Jovan’s game is his nose for the football. With his speed and instinct, Jovan always seems to find the ball causes a disruption. With everything that I have seen from Jovan, offers from Norther Michigan and Toledo are only the beginning for him. I am expecting a big season from Jovan this year, along with a loaded Morgan Park football program.
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It is very rare for a quarterback to get varsity reps as a sophomore, and even more so to see a sophomore quarterback lead his team to an undefeated season. Having said that, it is fair to say that Jack Elliot of Mount Carmel is a rare breed in the class of 2025. With Jack being as dynamic as they come, he can get the job done through the air or on the ground. In the pocket, Jack moves well in the pocket and can improvise when he needs to. Throwing with pinpoint accuracy, Jack can place the ball perfectly to not only protect his receivers but also gives them room to keep going after the catch. Jack has had some very impressive success early on in his career. If he keeps this up, he is going to end up being the top quarterback in the class of 2025 out of Illinois very soon. Look for Jack and the Mount Carmel Caravan offense to have another dominant season in 2023.
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Ja’Sean Mays Ja’Sean Mays 6’0″ | 210 lbs | LB St. Laurence | 2025 State IL is another really impressive hybrid-type athlete to look out for as he continues to develop after a strong sophomore-year campaign. The 6’0 St. Laurence’s product moves really well through traffic and sheds downfield blocks easily. Mays is very fluid in his motion and has been shown to get downhill and change direction easily as he closes the gap to the ball carrier. Ja’Sean is an active tackler who never seems to stop moving his feet through contact when he is bringing the ball carrier down. With a motor like Ja’Seans, he shows no stopping on the football field and plays with a level of determination to helps him track down the ball and finish plays. Overall, Mays is a very impressive young athlete who is going to continue to shine as he enters his junior and senior year of competition.
Naperville Central’s Nick Zbylut Nick Zbylut 6’0″ | 175 lbs | RB Naperville Central | 2025 IL is a productive running back to look out for in the class of 2025. Having the ideal 6-foot and 175-pound frame, Nick is built to be a powerful running back. Zyblut is a fluid runner who gain the edge of the box quickly. When he is given the space, Nick has showcased his breakway speed with big plays and touchdowns on the ground. He also shows to not waste any motion, if he needs to shake a defender, he is able to while still heading vertically through the field. Just from what I have seen, it is evident that Nick has the potential to be a devasting back at the high school level. If he continues to follow this trajectory, he is going to be a name that you are going to hear all the time on friday nights.
Tristan Pusateri Tristan Pusateri 5’11” | 200 lbs | LB Mount Carmel | 2025 IL is another Mount Carmel athlete who has caught my eye in the class of 2025. With his sophomore year showcasing big plays on both special teams and defense, Tristan is a linebacker that you won’t want to miss out on heading into the 2023 football season. On the defensive side of the ball, Tristan plays well in coverage and does a good job of tracking with the quarterback while sitting in his drop. Another part of Tristan’s pass drop that impresses me is that he has phenomenal anticipation for where the ball is going. If the ball is remotely close to coming his way, he has the ball skills to tip the pass and force an incompletion. Tristan is a physical tackler who has no problem laying the wood on any ball carrier coming his way. Overall, Tristan is a linebacker with a very high upside. Look for Pusateri to have a breakout season in 2023 as a member of a dominant Caravan defense.
Tony Chahino Tony Chahino 6’1″ | 200 lbs | QB Geneva | 2025 State IL is another young quarterback who has been picking up interest from some traditional powers across the Midwest. The 6’1 Geneva gunslinger showed off some of his skills in the 2022 football season and is looking to take Illinois by storm in 2023. In the pocket, Tony moves smoothly and under control. As he carefully scans the field, Tony can easily set his feet and deliver passes with excellent timing and touch. Tony moves very well outside the pocket and has even made some Mahomes-esk throws from time to time. If Tony needs to scramble away from pressure, he has no problem extending plays as he runs fearlessly through opposing defenses. Even with limited playing time in his sophomore season, you can tell that Tony has a lot to offer as a quarterback. I am expecting Tony to have a big season this year and into the future. Whoever lands this quarterback in the future is going to make a splash in the recruiting landscape.
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Omar Coleman Omar Coleman 5’8″ | 155 lbs | WR Plainfield North | 2025 IL is a Plainfield North product who has recently taken some visits to a few big time programs around the midwest. The 5’8 wideout made the most of his sophomore season and made some big plays in the process. As more of a slot-type receiver, you are going to find Omar on quick hitting routes in the middle of the field or through the seam. With his twtichy route running capability, Omar can break off routes in a snap and create seperation from less athletic defenders. Omar is also a playmaking return man who has no problem running downhill through kickoff coverage. With his athleticism and balance, Omar can provide his offense with solid field position before they even start the drive. Overall, Omar is a very exciting athlete to look out for in the 2023 season. Look for him to create some big plays for the Tigers in the future.