PrepRedzoneIL 2025 Rankings Update: Offensive WL Players to Know
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We’re winding down our PRzIL 2025 rankings and I hope everyone has enjoyed the ride. It’s a loaded class, and the rising juniors are already seeing the fruits of their labor and talent pay off during this summer camp grind,…
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Continue ReadingWe’re winding down our PRzIL 2025 rankings and I hope everyone has enjoyed the ride. It’s a loaded class, and the rising juniors are already seeing the fruits of their labor and talent pay off during this summer camp grind, the leaders of which I recently highlighted in a PrepRedzone Midwest special detailing the early summer camp szn’s biggest winners. With only a few articles remaining in our initial coverage of the 2025 classes recent rankings update, it’s time to get into one of my favorite features, the “watchlist players to know.” Although it can be disappointing for the prospects themselves to find themselves on the watchlist, it shouldn’t be disheartening, especially for underclassmen. Varsity experience was a big factor in naming the Top-150 for the rankings, and even if you did get varsity action, the state of Illinois is absurdly loaded with size & talent and it’s a natural occurrence for good players to remain unranked going into their junior seasons. Luckily, we keep a close eye on the watchlist players with a ton of promise who just barely missed the cut, and in the next offensive & defensive articles we’ll be highlighting the best of the best from the watchlist and focus on the players primed to make the jump to the rankings come next update time. First up, offense. Let’s dig in!
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Coming out of the always-loaded Hillcrest Hawks program, 6′, 185 lb. RB Erimus Wright Erimus Wright 6’0″ | 185 lbs | RB Hillcrest | 2025 IL is a fun-to-watch combination of size, speed, and elusiveness and possesses vision, shiftiness and contact balance with the rock in-hand. Wright was an absolute force against non-varsity competition in 2022 and beat tackle attempts in a ton of different ways. If he can produce the same type of big plays against varsity defenders he’s going to find himself highly ranked at the time of the next update.
The Burlington Central athlete posted 29 receptions for 490 yards and 4 TDs last fall as a varsity WR and barely missed the cut to make the loaded Top-150 in the latest 2025 PRzIL rankings update. Lined up at multiple WR positions and was a deep threat while showing off ball skills, shake after the catch, and the wherewithal to find soft spots in zone coverage to break down and get open. Also like his fearlessness and concentration when snagging receptions over the middle and through traffic. Also returned kicks. Big year next year for LJ Kerr LJ Kerr 6’0″ | 170 lbs | WR Burlington Central | 2025 IL .
Highlights
The younger brother of Fenwick 2024 stud DB Elijah Romeus Elijah Romeus 6’0″ | 190 lbs | DB Fenwick | 2024 State IL , who recently grabbed a PWO from Illinois State, younger brother Emmett joined the Friars varsity for their 2022 playoff run. He was a big-play machine against non-varsity competition whose speed was no match for JV DBs, and he was also quick after the catch and knew how to track & play the ball in the air. Also was an absolute weapon as a returner with burst, top-end speed, and vision that helped him take multiple kick returns and punts to the house last fall. Can’t wait to see how he transfers the skills to a full-time varsity role this fall.
Highlights
Waubonsie Valley has a ton of promising young bucks and 2025 6’1, 175 lb athlete Dylan Beacom Dylan Beacom 6’1″ | 175 lbs | ATH Waubonsie Valley | 2025 IL fits the bill. As a sophomore, Beacom played QB and LB and was productive from both positions. As a quarterback, he was a big-play threat with his legs, who could easily take the edge on a defense and run the rock straight to the house. Also showed off good vision, balance, and a nasty dead-leg in the open field in 1-on-1 scenarios against DBs. Good read-option QB who will lower the shoulder pads as well. Instinctive in coverage as a LB with no qualms about meeting a RB in the hole or running them down out to the edge. Overall solid athlete going into his upperclassman campaign. Hope he put on some weight this offseason as well!
Highlights
Good size going into his junior year from the deep Southern Illinois-based lineman Brynner Inman Brynner Inman 6’4″ | 265 lbs | OL Nashville | 2025 IL , who measures in at 6’4, 250 lbs. and is also a solid thrower on the Nashville High School T&F squad. A varsity lineman last fall, Inman was effective in space and at the second level of the defense and showed the ability to break down and square up smaller, quicker defenders. Also solid in pass pro and showed a decent initial pop from his OG spot.
Highlights
The 5’10, 155 lb. Glenbard East WR helped the Rams JV to a 7-2 record and was explosive as slotback running r and when toting the ruck in the rushing game. Renford was lethal at jet sweeps and is elusive, quick, and sudden in the open field to go along with his good vision. His top-end speed was no match for non-varsity DBs as well, and Renford also displayed his ability to go up and high point the football impressively over tight coverage and multiple defenders. Get the ball in this man’s hands! If he can transfer his game to the varsity level he’ll be highly ranked come the next update time. Really solid sophomore, non-varsity highlight tape, and is an obvious and impressive athlete going into his junior year.
Highlights
A varsity wideout in 2022, Black shows off impressive body control when high-pointing the football and is capable of highlight-reel catches, can break his routes off well and is nifty with his footwork at the LOS in his releases, and has some dangerous moves after the catch. I really like how crisp he is as a route runner and his game has notable athleticism that fits in well at the varsity level. There are a couple reps of Black dishing out and taking contact impressively, and I can guarantee he’s going to be ranked when PRzIL updates the 2025 class again. The Corsair’s have one of the best young receiving corps in the state and a lot of upcoming talent the next few recruiting cycles. The kid’s got game, that’s forsure!
A 6’1, 170 lb. pass-catcher out of Batavia who played his high school ball with Yorkville last season, Isaiah Brown Isaiah Brown 6’1″ | 160 lbs | WR Batavia | 2025 IL earned significant varsity minutes in 2022 and brings a ton of length to the position. He does a good job of adjusting to improvising his routes when his QB is scrambling, runs solid routes, and can get shifty when avoiding tackles after the catch. Brown possesses some strong hands and can reel in receptions through contact, and also popped off some nice punt returns in the special teams department to boot. PRzIL is excited to see how he develops with an offseason in the weight room under his belt, as well as with a new team in the Batavia Bulldogs.
Highlights
The sophomore gunslinger out of Morton totaled 25 TDs with his arm and legs in 2022 and brings a true dual-threat skillset to the table going into his junior year with the Potters. The read-option signal-caller comes in at 5’11, 185 lbs. and shows off good speed, quick cuts in the open field that left helpless defenders grasping at air, solid vision, and the ability to slip through weaker tackle attempts without losing much momentum. Buffington is a real threat with the ball in his hand and especially in the open field, and looked the most athletic player on the field against non-varsity opponents. Next season is a big one for the now-upperclassman!
A three-sport standout for Rich Township, 5’6, 150 lb. All-Conference pick Jason Carey Jason Carey 5’6″ | 150 lbs | ATH Rich Township | 2025 IL also excels in wrestling and track & field. A full-time varsity contributor last fall, Carey was a threat as a RB and WR and opens his tape with a dirty spin move that left two would-be tacklers grasping at air and twisting their ankles like a powerful gust pushed them aside in a windstorm. Burst, vision, and lateral agility, Carey was productive out of the backfield as a receiver even threw a TD last fall to complete the TD trifecta. If he can finish some more of his initially strong runs in 2023 his stock is really going to rise as a recruit and offensive weapon.
Highlights
Coming out of Lake County and Wauconda High School, 6’5, 250 lb. lineman Liam Carney Liam Carney 6’4″ | 280 lbs | OL Wauconda | 2025 IL is a three-sport standout and used his good size to help contribute to the Bulldogs varsity OL in 2022. As an offensive center, Carney has good leg drive once he’s engaged with an opponent can really move a defender out of their gap, and possesses a nonstop motor, and has a long and still-lean frame that can add a ton more good weight over the next two years and beyond.
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There are some exciting 2025 defensive prospects out of St. Laurence and a potential stock-riser to keep an eye on is 6’1, 220 lb. DE Jace Chamberlain Jace Chamberlain 6’1″ | 230 lbs | DL St. Laurence | 2025 IL . The rising junior just went to Iowa State’s prospect camp and weighed in at 6’1, 225 lbs. and clocked a 4.78 in the 40, and has also competed at the Lindenwood Mega Camp early this month. As a sophomore, Chamberlain competed in the non-varsity ranks of the Vikings and was an asset when defending the read-option from his DE spot, as well as a pass rusher, where he’s got some strong reps showing off a bull rush and otherpower moves. I like his change of direction and pursuit speed, which helps him do well in space and run down plays from the backside. It’ll be a big year for Chamberlain as he attempts to take his skills to the varsity level.
Highlights
The Victor J. Andrew signal-caller found great success with the Thunderbolt’s JV squad and showed he was far from hesitant to stretch the ball downfield while showing off good touch, quick decision making, and juice as a runner when he tucks the ball and takes off. I like how he sees the field and Silvia also has a couple of solid reps fitting the ball into tight windows off three step drops.
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A massive QB prospect going into his upperclassman campaign, 6’5, 230 lb. Lake Forest gunslinger Daniel Van Camp Daniel Van Camp 6’4″ | 230 lbs | QB Lake Forest | 2025 IL is a WL QB that PRzIL will be monitoring closely for the next rankings update. Van Camp has been busy this June, having already attended the Fighting Illini prospect camp, Michigan prospect camp, UIndy mega camp, Lake Forest mega camp, and Northwestern high school camp, and is also a standout defenseman on the Lake Forest lacrosse team. His sophomore varsity highlights display a QB with a big arm that gets the rock out of his hand quickly and is comfortable making and completing throws on the move. There’s some major upside in his game and we hope to see Van Camp really open things up next year as a junior.
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Another St. Laurence Vikings 2025er, 5’9, 180 lb. RB Harley Rizzs Harley Rizzs 5’10” | 185 lbs | RB St. Laurence | 2025 IL put up some solid track times as a sophomore (7.11 60M indoor, 22.75 200M indoor) and has a balanced skillset as a RB going into his junior season of football. Rizzs finds and hits the hole well, shows off solid speed that really takes advantage of daylight, and can finish big runs, and my favorite trait of all: his impressive contact balance. He got a little bit of varsity action last fall and made the most of it when his number was called. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t find himself ranked when we complete our next update.
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Lincoln Way-Central 6’1, 175 lb. QB Luke Mensik Luke Mensik 6’1″ | 175 lbs | QB Lincoln Way Central | 2025 IL has a strong baseball background and transfers that live arm to the gridiron during the fall and put up impressive throwing numbers running with the non-varsity squads of the Knights. He went 130-193 (67%) for 1,582 yards and 22 TDs and shows off a skillset that includes a long lean frame, accuracy to all three levels of the field and while off-platform, comfortability stepping up and maneuvering the pocket around pressure, and he’s a dangerous weapon as a runner when he tucks and takes off. Mensik is an obvious athlete and confident game manager, and if he can transition that accuracy and completion percentage to the varsity level he’ll be a popular QB recruit, and for good reason.
Evanston’s 5’11, 180 lb. dual-threat QB Colin Livatino Colin Livatino 5’10” | 180 lbs | QB Evanston Township | 2025 IL is off to the races this summer and competed at the Iowa State prospect camp in early June to follow up his performance at the Next Level Athletix rise & fire camp at the end of May. Livatino recorded 2,195 total yards and 23 TDs last fall for the Wildkit’s non-varsity and varsity teams and displayed a very impressive ability to improvise and create big plays when things break down and he’s forced to scramble. He’s accurate on the run, has a big arm – especially for his size – and is fast and tough when he takes off as a runner. The comfortability and production he’s capable of when things break down is one of the best in the Illinois 2025 class. He’s a fun and exciting athlete at the QB position.
Highlights
Yorkville QB Jack Ferguson Jack Ferguson 5’9″ | 145 lbs | QB Yorkville | 2025 IL brings a small but tough build to the QB position and is also a good wrestler for the Fighting Foxes. He’s got touch, mobility, and can generate enough velocity on the ball to squeeze the rock into tight coverage when necessary.
A standout performer at our PRzIL spring showcase, Lincoln Way-East RB Zion Gist Zion Gist 6’1″ | 185 lbs | RB Lincoln-Way East | 2025 IL is also a strong track & field competitor in the big-school Illinois ranks and has competed at the Iowa, UIndy, and Northwestern prospect camps this summer. He put up one of the better 40 times at our spring showcase, and also possesses length, which helps him slip through weaker tackle attempts at his lower body, physicality and contact balance, and the ability to drop his hips at the top of the route and create separation as a route runner out of the slot. Dynamic and athletic, PRzIL is very excited to see some updated film of him next fall after another offseason in the weight room and track
Montini’s 6’2, 260 lb. lineman Jonathan Hayes Jonathan Hayes 6’2″ | 265 lbs | OL Montini Catholic | 2025 IL played both ways for the Broncos and was busy this spring during junior day szn, having checked out Ball State, Miami (OH), Eastern Michigan, and Valparaiso. He also performed well at our PRzIL spring showcase, TheLine Showcase, and most recently at the Ball State Big Man Camp a few days ago. A varsity starter in 2022, Hayes, as a LT, was laterally agile, knows how to use his footwork and body to out-position defensive linemen, and was more than comfortable and efficient at the second level. There’s definite body control and athleticism in his game, but he needed to add strength, so PRzIL is quite interested to see how another offseason has upped his game. As far as OL are concerned, Hayes is near the top of the list of prospects to watch when discussing WL –> ranked stock-risers.
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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it’s a great time to be a Geneva Viking. In their talented 2025 class of prospects, 6’1, 195 lb. QB Tony Chahino Tony Chahino 6’1″ | 200 lbs | QB Geneva | 2025 State IL is a big name to watch despite only playing in three games during the 2022 season. Those three games did include varsity reps however, and against both varsity and non-varsity defenses, Chahino showed off arm strength and velocity, particularly on intermediate throws, a quick release and a compact-looking throwing motion, and mobility and toughness. He also looks accurate from his limited reps in 2022. Big-time bounceback year for Mr. Chahino in 2023!
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Another Yorkville rising junior, 5’11, 155 lb. Eli Walton Eli Walton 5’11” | 155 lbs | WR Yorkville | 2025 IL is a three-phase contributor who did his best work at WR last season. No condensed highlights, but from the game tape I like his length, sure hands, ability to create separation as a route runner, and willingness to block along the perimeter. Also a quality LS who made some impactful contributors on special teams.
Another Mokena product, Lincoln Way-Central 5’10, 180 lb. RB Tyler Tulk Tyler Tulk 5’10” | 190 lbs | RB Lincoln Way Central | 2025 IL had a productive sophomore season in the non-varsity ranks and shows off shake in the open field, good hands that made him an asset out of the backfield as a pass-catcher and in the screen game, good balance and the power to produce between the tackles, and was a solid returner who can create big, momentum-shifting runs for his squad throughout the course of a game. Balanced skillset that is itching to get varsity reps this fall. PRzIL will be watching closely.
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Great size at 6’3, 190 lbs., Bolingbrook 2025er Chico Thomas Chico Thomas 6’0″ | 180 lbs | WR Bolingbrook | 2025 IL was a varsity wideout in 2022 and possesses great length, some exciting shiftiness and ability to drop his hips at the top of the route, physicality as a blocker on both offense and special teams, and strong hands. He’ll be stepping into more of a full-time role in 2023 and has a heckuva young QB throwing him the rock, which spells out good things for his potential production and future highlights. The Brook is coming for heads this fall.
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Yet another Yorkville 2025 offensive prospect, WR Dyllan Malone Dyllan Malone 6’1″ | 155 lbs | WR Yorkville | 2025 IL runs with the Supreme 7v7 squad and has competed at the Illinois and Iowa State prospect camps early this summer camp szn. At 6’2, 165 lbs., Malone did get varsity action last fall, and from those reps you can see a pass catcher with length, contested catch ability and a large catch radius, some quickness and shake as a route runner and after the catch, and the ability to reel in receptions through contact. Also a willing blocker on the perimeter with a promising blend of size, experience, and athleticism going forward. Big year for Malone in 2023.
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Another WR on the WL with good size going into his junior season, Naperville North 6’2, 180 lb. athlete Nick Manzardo Nick Manzardo 6’2″ | 185 lbs | WR Naperville North | 2025 IL has a ton more room to fill in as an upperclassman, which should scare opposing DBs, as Manzardo already possesses a skillset that includes burst, contact balance, and body control for a big, young WR. He’s comfortable against press-man, is shifty at the top of the route, and uses that size to break tackles well after the catch. The Naperville area is absolutely stacked with talent going into the fall.
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Romeoville’s rising junior QB Caron Johnson Caron Johnson 5’10” | 180 lbs | QB Romeoville | 2025 IL is a big-time dual-threat QB who is accurate on the run and has some electric highlights as a runner that involve a ton of broken tackles in a ton of different ways. He’s a good athlete at the position and can also get the ball out of his hand quickly and run the read-option efficiently. Johnson fit in very well at the varsity level as a sophomore.
Deerfield’s 5’11, 190 lb. QB Mac Jones Mac Jones 5’11” | 190 lbs | QB Deerfield | 2025 IL was right on the cusp of being ranked in our loaded Top 150 and went 83-157 for 1,087 yards and 9 passing TDs in 2022 for the Warrior’s varsity. Strong arm that could stretch the field vertically, touch, velocity on shorter throws when necessary, and a quick decision maker, Jones has an overall good arm and passing game that can lead and anticipate for his WRs and keep them out of harm’s way. Also mobile and can get out and complete throws on the edge as well as take off and run when needed. Promising sophomore campaign for the young Deerfield gunslinger. Let’s see how he builds on it as a now-upperclassman!
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