Chicago Catholic League Sleepers: Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

Chicago Catholic League Sleepers: Wide Receivers &amp; Tight Ends

Jake Lemming

June 28, 2023 @ 01:07 PM

The Chicago Catholic League is one of the premier high school football conferences in the country. Members of it play a grueling nine-game schedule that features some of Illinois' top programs. Today, I wanted to turn my attention to some sleepers, in particular those at the wide receiver and tight end positions. Each prospect featured was a varsity contributor last fall and I believe they could be in for a big 2023 campaign. They have differing skill sets but are all gifted prospects in their own way at their respective positions.   As always, If you have someone you think I need to see, please DM them to me on Twitter at @hsfbscout!   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   TE: [player_tooltip player_id='1572553' first='Danyil' last='Taylor'], 6'2" 210, Mount Carmel, 2025   A surehanded tight end with excellent concentration, loose hips, and refined route-running ability. Taylor glides out of his cuts, he's a more than capable inline blocker and is a tough match-up in the red area. He was extremely productive as a sophomore and I think his junior season will be even better. The defending 7A state champions have a real good one in Mr Taylor.   WR: Andrew Bjorson, 6' 180, Fenwick, 2025   An intermediate-deep threat with solid top-end speed and a keen sense for the position. Andrew pushes off the ball and sells vertical on every route, he can pump the breaks and stop on a dime at a moment's notice. He works back to the quarterback on the scramble drill and catches everything within the framework of his body. This is a possession-type receiver who I think will see more targets with another year in this offense.   TE: Alex Gibson, 6'2" 210, Providence, 2024   Gibson is dynamite after the catch, he's got underrated speed and shows strong hands-on contested balls. He's a match-up issue for outside linebackers, he knows how to use his frame as a weapon to box out defenders and he will run right by nosey safeties. He needs to show more as an inline blocker, but I love his upside.   TE: Joshua Burke, 6'2" 220, Leo, 2024   Burke plays angry on both sides of the football, he takes pride in blocking and can hold his own on 1 on 1 blocks against five techniques. He fires off the snap low, rolls his hips on contact, and has hands like claws that latch on & are tough to shed. He hasn't shown much in the passing game yet, so look for that to be an emphasis for him in 2023.

The Chicago Catholic League is one of the premier high school football conferences in the country. Members of it play a grueling nine-game schedule that features some of Illinois' top programs. Today, I wanted to turn my attention to some sleepers, in particular those at the wide receiver and tight end positions. Each prospect featured was a varsity contributor last fall and I believe they could be in for a big 2023 campaign. They have differing skill sets but are all gifted prospects in their own way at their respective positions.