PrepRedzoneIL 2025 Rankings Update: Top Defensive WL Prospects
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And here we are! After days of work, the PRzIL 2025 rankings update and its follow up coverage has reached its completion and we are on our last, but certainly not least, featured story from the update. We’ve covered top…
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Continue ReadingAnd here we are! After days of work, the PRzIL 2025 rankings update and its follow up coverage has reached its completion and we are on our last, but certainly not least, featured story from the update. We’ve covered top stock risers, miscellaneous superlatives, hardest hitters, top unoffered standouts, and offensive watchlist players to know, which leads us to the final article covering the top defensive watchlist prospects our readers need to know about. As I’ve previously mentioned, varsity experience played a big factor in getting a recruits name onto the talent-ridden Top 150 rankings big board, as well as their performance on said varsity teams, and now that the 2025s are entering their upperclassmen campaigns, there are a TON of kids on the watchlist that are set to explode onto the varsity scene as well as our rankings. Below, we got 27 of the must-knows who will surely make their introduction to the rankings come next update. Let’s get to know them and their sophomore seasons below. Enjoy!
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6’2, 195 lb. Stevenson High School LB/DE/TE/FB Luke Nelson Luke Nelson 6’1″ | 205 lbs | LB Adlai Stevenson Highschool, Lincolnshire, Illinois | 2025 IL played all over the field last fall with the Patriots and was extremely varsity in the non-varsity ranks. Good get-off, little bit of bend, long arms that make it easy to shed blocks once he locks out, and solid overall speed, I like Nelson as a DE first and foremost. However, he also has good reps as a LB and TE, and with a frame that could add a lot of good weight there are some exciting things going for the rising junior. Positional versatility doesn’t hurt either!
Highlights
Coming out of the Northern suburbs of Chicago, Wheeling’s 2025 LB Joseph Nitti Joseph Nitti 6’0″ | 195 lbs | LB Wheeling | 2025 IL measures in at 6′, 185 lbs. and had a good sophomore campaign despite missing two games due to injury last fall, which did include varsity action. As an off-ball OLB, Nitti is comfortable and effective at tackling in space, fights to not get tied up in blocks, closes quickly, and does a good job of getting his arms up and into passing lanes when he can’t get to the QB in time. Nitti is also able to produce as an standup EDGE on the LOS, and laid some strong tackles in 2022 in run support. Adding strength and weight will be big keys in his continual development.
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Argo’s 6’1, 210 lb. LB Maciej Jarosz Maciej Jarosz 6’1″ | 210 lbs | LB Argo | 2025 IL comes into his junior season with good size that fit in well at the varsity level, something Jarosz is already accustomed to after getting significant varsity reps last fall as a sophomore. Jarosz has a thick, compact build that is perfect for stuffing gaps and disrupting the run game, and he also laid some big hits as a fullback for the Argonauts offense. The ILB flies out of his stance and upfield quickly, is physical when attacking blocks, and is a strong tackler once he gets ahold of ball carriers. I also like how he laterally works across the LOS to sift through traffic and meet RBs in the hole, and he’s more than willing to pursue and chase down plays out to the edge of his defense. Good combination of size, strength, and speed going into his junior year.
Representing the Rockford area, Lutheran High School’s 6’2, 190 lb. WR and OLB John Behmer John Behmer 6’2″ | 190 lbs | LB Rockford Lutheran | 2025 IL , who earned All-Conference honors last fall and a second-team All-Conference nod in 2021 as a freshman, is particularly interesting as an OLB prospect. He opens his tape with a really nice chase down of a loose returner on a kick return, covering almost 50 yards to hawk the returner down at the 10 on a beautiful pursuit angle, and his defensive highlights look good as well. Holds a long, lean frame, does a good job of shocking & shedding blocks or getting skinny through blocking attempts, and comes off the edge controlled but with speed and can execute stunts as well as simply get upfield and make plays in space and in the backfield. As a WR, Behmer plays out of the slot and is slippery and shifty with the ball in his hand after the catch or on jet sweeps across the LOS. Shows off good hands as well.
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6′, 175 lb. Lincoln-Way West DB/WR DeAndre Coates DeAndre Coates 6’2″ | 180 lbs | WR Lincoln Way-West | 2025 IL was a standout performer at our recent PrepRedzoneIL spring showcase and has been busy this offseason with spring visits to Western Michigan (spring game), Iowa State (spring practice), and Northwestern for their summer prospect camp. The sophomore highlights display a three-phase contributor with solid speed, a strong lower body and good hands that help him reel in throws behind him or far out front, and a nasty stiff arm he used to toss would-be tacklers aside like tiny children. Defensively, he reads and steps in front of throws well and lays some big sticks at the contact point, and his size, strength, and ability to impact multiple phases in the game at the non-varsity level effectively all lead to him making the jump to varsity next season. PRzIL can’t wait to see how it goes!
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The measurables and lifting numbers are the first things to catch my eye when looking at the athletic profile of Oswego East DE Blaise Chin Blaise Chin 6’2″ | 215 lbs | DL Oswego East | 2025 IL . 6’2, 215 lbs. is a solid start going into your junior season of football, and Chin is a strong kid too, as he benches 255 lbs., squats 415 lbs., and cleans 245. Chin only played in five games last fall, but in the tape you can see a DE capable of beating OTs to either shoulder and is particularly quick when working to the inside gap and beating blockers off the snap with his first step. He also does a good job of freeing himself from blocks and working through contact to make plays in the run game between the tackles and out on the edge.
Glenview and Glenbrook South product Jack Valentinas Jack Valentinas 5’10” | 150 lbs | ATH Glenbrook South | 2025 IL measures in at 5’10, 155 lbs. and plays both WR and safety, as well as a pitcher and outfielder on the Titans baseball team. He’s a part of a talented Glenbrook South 2025 class of football prospects, and in his sophomore tape you can see a speedy and light-footed three-phase contributor who is balanced and quick with the ball in his hand and has a strong lower body that helped stay upright and power through or cut by non-varsity defenders. He does a good job of reading and ballhawking from his safety spot and is always there to clean up and take advantage of poor throws or stare downs from opposing QBs. I’m interested to see where where Valentinas primary position will be on varsity.
Highlights
Michele Clark High School rising junior LB Anthony Spivey Anthony Spivey 5’10” | 220 lbs | LB Michele Clark | 2025 IL played six games in 2022 and totaled more than 60 tackles, as well as 4 FFs and a PBU. He also moonlighted as a FB and sports a thick, compact build perfect for laying big hits and eating blocking attempts, both of which he loves to do and is quite effective at in his sophomore highlights. He explodes through the A and B gaps to disrupt both the run and pass games of opponents and closes quickly before laying the hammer on ball carriers. You can tell Spivey thrives in the physical aspect of the sport, and absorbed some major contact from attempted blockers last fall before dishing it back out and getting the most out of every tackle on helpless RBs and QBs. If gets the ball in hand offensively you better look out to, as his frame and powerful lower body are built to run through multiple tackle attempts, something which he does with ease. You gotta love prospects who excel through contact like Spivey.
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St. Laurence’s 2025 class is both deep and talented, and I’ve covered a good amount of the Viking’s rising junior class throughout this PRzIL ’25 rankings update coverage. Yet another name-to-know is 6’1, 205 lb. LB/WR/FB Kyle Richardson Kyle Richardson 6’1″ | 195 lbs | LB St. Laurence | 2025 IL , who also holds a 4.4 GPA. He opens his sophomore film with a booming block as a FB that sends a defender flying five yards backward and onto their butt, which sets the tone for a generally hard-hitting and physical highlight film from the 6’1, 205 lber. If Richardson gets a full head of steam you better watch out, as ball carriers and lead blocks were sent flying last fall, and has the speed to pursue RBs out to the sideline and cut off runs for minimal games. I like how he is strong and physical enough to bang inside the box through iOL blocks and in 1-on-1, head-down tackling situations but can get out to the edge and run down faster RBs as well. Richardson also has a couple good reps of playing the ball well in the air and making plays from the WR position.
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Another dual-sport, two-way standout on this list of prospects to know on the PRzIL 2025 WL, Lincoln-Way Central LB/WR Blake Richards Blake Richards 6’1″ | 185 lbs | ATH Lincoln Way Central | 2025 IL comes in at 6’1, 185 lbs. and is also a solid baseball player for the Cangelosi Sparks. The sophomore tape shows off a long, athletic LB & WR who is comfortable and effective in space on both sides of the ball. With the ball in hand, he’s got an array of moves and jukes to make would-be tacklers miss, and I really like how he tackles in space and 1-on-1 settings from his LB spot. He can turn routine slants and RPO dumps into long TD receptions, as well as play deep balls while in the air and stay upright through contact to elongate gains, and he’s both strong enough to make plays between the tackles and athletic enough to tackle in space. Richards is confident on both sides of the ball and could play either spot on varsity, although I think he’ll start off at wideout. There’s a ton of balance in his game offensively.
One of many Lincoln-Way athletes dotting the 2025 rankings and watchlist – to no one’s surprise – LW-West 6′, 180 lb. athlete John Ramos John Ramos 6’0″ | 175 lbs | LB Lincoln-Way West | 2025 IL is yet another standout baseball player who also plays both ways on the gridiron. As a LB, Ramos is a thumper at the point of attack, diagnoses and finds the ball quickly, and does a good job of sifting through traffic and getting to ball carriers behind the LOS with pace. He’s hard to get a hand on for opposing blockers, as he’s quick and accelerates out of his stance, all of which helped him act as a TFL monster last fall. He lived behind the LOS, and when he gets his pads on an opposing ball carrier he’s going backward. I’m interested to see how much weight and strength he’s added this offseason, that’ll play a big role in where and how much he plays this fall for the Warriors.
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5’11, 195 lb. Mount Carmel LB Tristan Pusateri Tristan Pusateri 5’11” | 200 lbs | LB Mount Carmel | 2025 IL made some solid waves in the CCL last fall as an underclassman and switched between varsity and sophomore for the Caravan. Pusateri has already been hitting the camo/unofficial visiting circuit hard going into his junior year and has checked out and camped with Indiana State, Purdue, and Valpo this spring. He’s also a strong kid who posted a 325 x 3 front squat in January, as well as a 385 x 6 back squat last year, as well as a 225 x bench press as a freshman. The sophomore highlights show off a ‘backer who can impact the run game, pass game, and special teams and is always around the football no matter the role. Pusateri does a good job of dropping into passing lanes around the hook/curl and flats, pursuing out to the sideline to cut off RBs, and shedding blocks. As mentioned, he’s always around the football, a good trait to have as a LB.
Coming out of powerhouse East St. Louis, WR Justin Price Justin Price 5’11” | 180 lbs | WR East St. Louis | 2025 IL , unfortunately, doesn’t have any sophomore tape but has made significant waves on the offseason 7v7 circuit, catching the attention of multiple media outlets as well as collegiate programs, which is no doubt helped by the fact that he attends one of the best high school football programs in the Midwest. Price was a standout MVP from our inaugural PRZ Music City Mayhem 7v7 tournament in March, where PRzTN lead scout Chris Smith noted his twitchy and athletic skillset. Play time is tough sledding with the Flyers, so we’re very interested to see how Price’s junior season goes and what the film will look like when it comes out. Still, recruiting an ESL prospect is a safer bet than most.
Let’s talk about some DBs! Coming out of Lockport, 5’10, 155 lber. Anthony Polselli Anthony Polselli 5’10” | 155 lbs | DB Lockport | 2025 IL can play CB or FS and posted 22 tackles, 10 PBUs on 17 targets, 2 INTs, and only two receptions allowed during his sophomore season. He generally operates out of off-man. Patient, does a good job of reading route combinations in zone, can flip his hips solidly (gets a bit high at times) and get hip to hip with receivers quickly, gets out of his breaks well, and can play the ball in the air effectively. Not the biggest CB, but his coverage skills are legit going into his junior season and the stats back up the tape. Reports a 225 bench and 355 squat as well. He’ll be competing for a varsity spot in the defensive backfield in a couple of months.
Highlights
Joe Pettit
Joe Pettit
I am very excited for the Geneva Vikings this fall. Top-tier talent, depth, size, athleticism, their roster is looking stacked for 2023, and the Vikings 2025 class is looking promising as well. One of their sophomore varsity contributors from last season is 5’11, 235 lb. Joe Pettit, who was also an All-Conference wrestler and state qualifier this winter before balling out with the Fox Valley Predator rugby squad. The already accomplished multi-sporter had a solid season on the gridiron as well, showing off a ton of lateral agility and talent as a puller and lead blocker, not to mention pop at the point of contact. Overall, he’s super mobile, and can impressively run down ball carriers far down the field from the DL position. Pettit also shows his wrestling background when blocking, as he understands leverage and does a good job of finishing opponents once he gets some momentum going or when he gets them off-balance. Thrives in the physicality department as well.
The Hillcrest Hawks are well represented in the 2025 class of Illinois prospects and 6’1, 160 lb. DB Colton Pennington Colton Pennington 6’1″ | 160 lbs | DB Hillcrest | 2025 IL is a must-know name from the watchlist. Long DBs are becoming more and more popular on the recruiting trail and Pennington definitely qualifies, and I like how the safety runs the alley and brings the boom to the contact point, is patient when patrolling the MOF in coverage, and can moonlight as a WR. He’s an enforcer from the safety position and really excels in run support.
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Good size at 6’4, 230 lbs. going into his junior year, John Hersey High School’s OL/DT DJ Maloney DJ Maloney 6’3″ | 240 lbs | OL John Hersey | 2025 IL has a solid multi-sport background as a wrestler and thrower for the Huskies. As a DT, Maloney is strong enough to hold his gap through double teams and does a good job of shedding blocks to make plays in run support. On the OL, he’s strong at the point of attack and a good finisher, and is mobile enough to get out in front and lead block for his RBs in space, as well as easily work to the second level of a defense. The combination of strength and mobility produced dominant reps against non-varsity competition last fall and I’d be surprised if he isn’t a varsity contributor and even starter this fall.
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Another Hillcrest Hawks 2025er, 5’10, 300 lb. OC/OG/DL Tigea Mackey Tigea Mackey 5’10” | 280 lbs | OL Hillcrest | 2025 IL was a varsity contributor last fall as a sophomore and demonstrated the strength and aggression necessary to win 1-on-1 battles along the LOS on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he gets off the ball well and plays with a naturally low pad level, and along the offensive line I like that Mackey has a bit of a nasty streak and will deliver a pop to unsuspecting opponents. He’ll be holding down the interior of the Hawks OL and DL the next two seasons.
Tell me if you’ve heard this before, but it’s a great time to be a Geneva Viking! Yet another 2025 grad to know for our lovely readers, 5’10, 195 lb. LB Sean Lane Sean Lane 5’10” | 200 lbs | LB Geneva | 2025 IL posted 94 tackles, 18 TFLs, and an INT in non-varsity action last fall. Lane displays the ability to quickly diagnose plays and trigger on the football and dished out some major contact in 2022, flattening ball carriers in 1-on-1 tackling situations between the tackles. He can beat blocking attempts with quickness and stay upright and balanced through contact, and flies upfield and out of his stance like there’s a fire lit under his butt. The 18 TFLs attest to that as well. Big season for Lane the Vikings in 2023.
5’10, 200 lb. Wheaton North RB/LB Dylan Jung Dylan Jung 5’11” | 200 lbs | ATH Wheaton North | 2025 IL is also a standout student at WN, holding a 4.21 GPA on the honor roll and participating in the link crew, student council, and the business club. He was also a varsity contributor in 2022 and displayed lateral agility and the control to start/stop and match step ball carriers while pursuing across the LOS and upfield. He can also get up and under blocking attempts and has the strength to play through contact, shows some pop at the contact point both when attacking blocks and as a tackler, and was a physical ball carrier as both a RB and returner. Strong kid, good tackler, and checks the needed boxes in the physicality department. He’s guaranteed to make it on the rankings come the next update and set a very good foundation of experience and production going into his upperclassman campaign.
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Lots of QBs to know in this 2025 class of Land of Lincoln prospects, and Mater Dei Catholic’s Chase Jansen Chase Jansen 6’0″ | 180 lbs | ATH Breese Mater Dei | 2025 IL certainly made some noise as a sophomore varsity contributor last fall in Breese. In 2022, he went 30-58 for 400 yards (13.3 YPC, 52% completion percentage) for 4 TDs, and also played three games at safety and totaled 10 tackles. The 6′, 185 lber. is mobile when scrambling and does a good job of stepping up into the pocket and breaking tacklers by defensive rushers, sports a quick release and good touch, and is rangy as a safety and does not mind lowering his shoulder pads and dishing out a big hit. Jansen quick to process and make decisions on both sides of the ball and put up some good reps as a QB and DB last fall as a sophomore. He’ll be stepping into more of a full-time role in 2023 and PRzIL is excited to see how it goes!
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Oswego East already has some popular D1 recruits on their roster going into 2023, and after their talent-laden 2024 class departs next spring/summer, 2025s such as 5’11, 155 lb. Nigel Grisby Nigel Grisby 5’11” | 155 lbs | DB Oswego East | 2025 IL will step up and attempt to continue the recruiting momentum left by their predecessors. The CB/S is patient and productive in zone coverage and is able to play high-low as well as sneak under passing lanes to play the ball and snag INTs from unsuspecting QBs. He can also get out of his breaks smoothly when triggering on the ball in off-man, and has a couple good reps returning punts and blitzing from his CB spot.
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Lots to like in the Lake Forest 2025 class, which includes 6’3, 195 lb. LB/TE and wrestler Finn Goodman Finn Goodman 6’4″ | 210 lbs | LB Lake Forest | 2025 IL . Impressive length, a great frame to add weight and muscle, and thrives in run support and as a tackler. Has a good motor and gives his all into every tackle and every time he gets his hands on an opponent, which leads to some big hits from his LB position. The wrestling background definitely shows up at the contact point.
Highlights
I made sure to denote how much I loved Downers Grove South safety Coen Godenschwager Coen Godenschwager 6’0″ | 180 lbs | DB Downers Grove South | 2025 IL tape during the rankings process, as he was a beast on the JV ranks of the Mustangs and just barely missed the cut to be ranked in our talent-rich Top 150. The 5’11, 175 lber. posted 76 tackles, 6 PBUs, an INT, and a forced fumble in 2022 and recently maxed out at a 175 lb. bench, 295 lb. squat, 31″ vert, and 8’7″ broad jump with a reported 4.59 laser 40. The sophomore tape is fun, as he can change direction well, which helps make plays in pass coverage in a variety of different situations, and he also flies upfield and triggers on the ball with impressive pace, closing with speed and using his full momentum to minimize gains and make tackles at or behind the LOS. He’s got range in both pass coverage and run support and definitely has the physical edge needed at the safety spot. I can’t wait to get some new and updated film on Godenschwager in a couple months.
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Huntley High School 6’1, 181 lber. Kelley Gassner Kelley Gassner 6’1″ | 180 lbs | LB Huntley | 2025 IL had a heckuva sophomore season competing for both JV and varsity, and played DT, LB, TE, RG, RT, LT, and every special team. Besides the versatility, Gassner has pop, closes quickly, and does a good job of dipping under blocking attempts with low pad level and strength through contact. Was particularly effective as a LB and lineman, despite being undersized. Good motor as well.
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I love me some Wauconda Bulldogs, and rising junior LB Connor Coty Connor Coty 5’9″ | 175 lbs | LB Wauconda | 2025 IL was a varsity starter in 2022, earning All-Conference honors for his efforts as an ILB. The 5’9, 180 lber. is a solid and willing tackler, can bring down ball carriers between the tackles, out on the edge of the LOS, or on special teams, and can beat blocking attempts with either quickness or physicality. He’s more than filling to stick his facemask into an opponent and made some big plays under the bright lights of Friday nights as an underclassman. Going to be a fun next two years for Coty.
Another Downers Grove product, North High School 6’1, 190 lb. OLB and HB Weston Waughop Weston Waughop 6’1″ | 190 lbs | LB Downers Grove North | 2025 IL is yet another standout 2025 with a strong baseball background, and had a productive sophomore season on the gridiron in 2022. Fires out of his stance as a LB, attacks blocks with physicality and can make plays through contact, closes well, and brings a noticeable amount of speed to the LB position. Also a strong tackler and sports a lean frame that can add a ton more good weight. Balanced skillset and made a ton of plays behind the LOS for his defense last fall. He’ll be competing for significant varsity action in 2023 and PRzIL can’t wait to see how it goes.