Loaded Pass Catching Groups for 2023
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Looking through the current Prep Redzone Illinois rankings, it quickly became clear that there are several schools with a lot of talent and depth at the WR position. Each group is made up of athletes that need to be on…
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Continue ReadingLooking through the current Prep Redzone Illinois rankings, it quickly became clear that there are several schools with a lot of talent and depth at the WR position. Each group is made up of athletes that need to be on the radar of college programs, so we are going to go through each program that I found and give a quick snapshot of the talent and production from 2022. We start with Naperville North.
Naperville North
Luke Williams Luke Williams 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Naperville North | 2024 State IL , 2024
Austin Campbell Austin Campbell 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Naperville North | 2024 IL , 2024
Brock Pettaway Brock Pettaway 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Naperville North | 2025 State IL , 2025
Naperville is going to field multiple standout receivers in 2023. Leading the pack is one of the best WRs in IL, Luke Williams Luke Williams 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Naperville North | 2024 State IL . The 6’1″ 175 lbs ’24 is a dynamic two way playmaker. He is explosive off the line and has the long speed to easily pull away when stretching the field. Luke also does a great job of tracking and adjusting to the ball while it is in the air. He finished 2022 with with 22 receptions, 614 yards, and 3 TDs. Expect even bigger numbers this fall from the FBS prospect. Another member of the group is ’24 WR Austin Campbell Austin Campbell 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Naperville North | 2024 IL . Austin checks in a 6’1″ 170 lbs with 4.5 speed. The third member is ’25 WR Brock Pettaway Brock Pettaway 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Naperville North | 2025 State IL . The 5’10” 170 lbs athlete played varsity as a sophomore and showed off his elite speed and quick twitch athleticism. Brock pairs his rare speed with excellent route running, making him a nightmare to cover. I expect to see him get plenty of FBS attention when his time comes. He finished with 30 receptions, 355 yards, and 3 TDs.
Kaneland
Aric Johnson Aric Johnson 6'0" | 190 lbs | WR Kaneland | 2024 State IL , 2024
Dominick DeBlasio Dominick DeBlasio 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Kaneland | 2024 IL , 2024
Kaneland is going to field two ’24 WRs that rank highly in the PRZ IL 2024 rankings. The top prospect is WR/ATH Aric Johnson Aric Johnson 6'0" | 190 lbs | WR Kaneland | 2024 State IL . I wrote about Aric a few days ago predicting that he is going to breakout during this camp cycle. He is built like an RB at 6′ 190 lbs. Aric is a powerful athlete with high level burst after the catch. The other member of the WR group to watch is Dominick DeBlasio Dominick DeBlasio 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Kaneland | 2024 IL . The 5’11” 165 lbs ’24 finished with 46 receptions, for 618 yards, and 11 TDs. The slot receiver threatens defenses up the seam with speed and savvy route running both within the play and when the play breaks down. Dominick is an under the radar prospect.
York
Luke Mailander Luke Mailander 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR York | 2024 State IL , 2024
Max Sennett Max Sennett 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR York | 2024 IL , 2024
The York duo are ranked within a few spots of each other in the current PRZ IL rankings for the Class of 2024 overall, and at the WR position. First up is the 6′ 175 lbs Luke Mailander Luke Mailander 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR York | 2024 State IL . Luke is a smooth athlete who gets open with his blend of track speed and body control to make breaks in his routes. Luke proved he could win taking the top off the defense, with savvy double moves, or with that smooth route running. The second member of the WR group is the 5’11” 165 lbs Max Sennett Max Sennett 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR York | 2024 IL . Sennett is quicker than he is fast, but still has a respectable 4.7 40 time.
Marian Catholic
Kaleb Isom Kaleb Isom 5'11" | 195 lbs | WR Marian Catholic | 2024 IL , 2024
Paul Frazer Paul Frazer 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Marian Catholic | 2024 IL , 2024
We wrap up with another strong trio of ’24s that will be the driving forces behind the Marian Catholic passing attack. Kaleb Isom Kaleb Isom 5'11" | 195 lbs | WR Marian Catholic | 2024 IL is a well put together 6′ 195 lbs with 4.51 speed. Kaleb is an under the radar prospect to know. He has an impressive ability to make catches through contact and in traffic. After the catch he is a violent runner who rips through arm tackles, and has the short area agility to make DBs miss in the open field. Next up is the 5’11” 170 lbs Paul Frazer Paul Frazer 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Marian Catholic | 2024 IL . Frazer is a State Qualifying track athlete and Marian Catholic utilizes that speed by getting him the ball in every possible way. Kick return, jet sweeps, lining up at RB, bubble screens, plus his usual downfield targets at WR.