PRzIL ’24 Rankings Update: Exciting Offensive Weapons
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We’re nearing the conclusion of not only our PrepRedzoneIL 2024 rankings coverage but the PRzIL rankings update cycle overall. It’s been a heckuva ride and I’m honored and excited to have the site back on track to where it should…
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Continue ReadingWe’re nearing the conclusion of not only our PrepRedzoneIL 2024 rankings coverage but the PRzIL rankings update cycle overall. It’s been a heckuva ride and I’m honored and excited to have the site back on track to where it should be, and in the coverage of the rising senior class, we’ve highlighted the top uncommitted prospects, the hardest hitters, the uncommitted ballhawks, and the Top-10 electric offensive standouts the state has to offer. There are only a couple of features left before preseason coverage and previews begin to kick off, but there are still some Land of Lincoln prospects I think need some attention, so we’ll be sticking with the offensive side of the side of the ball for this next feature as we break down some more exciting weapons the Illinois 2024 class has to offer. Signed, unsigned, big, small, QB, RB, or WR, Chicago, Chicagoland, or Southern Illinois, we got a variety of playmakers for you enjoyment today. Let’s get to it!
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One of top RBs in Illinois, HJ Grigsby III HJ Grigsby III 6’0″ | 180 lbs | RB Joliet Catholic Academy | 2024 State IL III comes out of powerhouse Joliet Catholic Academy and is doing a stellar job of continuing the trend of prolific Hilltoppers RBs from the last decade+ that have torn up opposing gridirons all ove Illinois. He remains uncommitted going into fall camp but holds offers from Bemidji State, Butler, Minnesota-Duluth, Augustana, Sioux Falls, Culver-Stockton, Millikin, UIndy, Central Michigan, and Nothern State. The 6′, 175 lber. holds an accomplished resume so far in his career, having one a 2021 state title, ESCC All-Conference, and Division OPOTY honors playing for the physical and tough Hilltoppers offensive running attack. Grigsby III tallied 162 attempts for 1,351 yards and 16 TDs on a 8.8 YPC average, and showed off big-play speed that can take it to the house after breaking a single tackle, which can come both between the tackles or out on the edge. It also applies to returning kicks, where he accelerates through holes and uses a naturally shifty gait to keep defenders guessing in their pursuit. Also can be utilized out of the slot or backfield as a receiver, showing he’ll attack the ball out of the air and can keep his feet after the catch. He’s fast enough to take the edge of a defense, take advantage of space, and will consistently make the first man miss. If he’s playing out his senior season we got a long way left in this recruitment. Stay tuned with PRzMN!
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A transfer from Maine South, WR Maurice Densmore Maurice Densmore 6’0″ | 170 lbs | WR Mount Carmel | 2024 State IL added some big-time firepower to the Mount Carmel offense and brings a 6′, 170 lb. frame, All-Conference, Academic All-State, and an experienced Midwest Boom 7v7 resume to the Caravan. I had fun watching his junior tape, which showed off a contested catch machine with a big catch radius who will lay out, put his body on the line, and fearlessly & athletically high point and play the ball perfectly in the air. If you put the rock anywhere near Densmore he will come down with it, and is a concise, powerful cutter when creating separation at the LOS, at the top of the route, or after the catch. He does show some juice with the ball in hand as well, and also has good reps as a DB, where he can flip his hips and get out of his breaks with pace and without wasting steps who will also lay the wood in run support with no hesitation. The natural 50/50 ball winning ability is one of the best in the state and my favorite part of his exciting and attractive junior highlights. Densmore holds offers from Bucknell and Illinois State, and with the transfer to the powerhouse Caravan for his senior year, he’s got the chance to boost his stock significantly in 2023. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the senior tape for this kid!
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Recruiting picked up for Boylan Catholic’s Rasheed Johnson Rasheed Johnson 6’1″ | 185 lbs | RB Boylin Catholic | 2024 State IL in June, as FCS competitors Indiana State and Northern Iowa joined Lindenwood in offering the standout RB, but he’s still one of the better-kept secrets in the state, bringing a 10.85 100M and 22.52 200M to the table that helped him place 5th in the state 2A class and earn All-State honors. Track speed is no joke on the gridiron, and the 6’1, 180 lber. holds in spades, as well as positional versatility as a slot receiver and safety. Johnson recorded 63 carries for 686 yards and 19 receptions for 280 yards and 19 TDs, and displayed burst through the first and second levels of the defense and the pull away speed to outrun pursuit angles and finish big runs for six, which includes finishes against big-time competition. I like his vision, patience, and balance, which helps him power through tackle attempts at his lower body, grabs or arm tackles up top, and pushes from out-pursued defenders, as well as spin-off tackle attempts for highlight-reels reps. He can easily take the sideline on a defense, and if he finds the edge he’s gone, and Johnson also demonstrates a powerful one-cut ability on that last defender in the open field. He’ll be a popular recruit through the season and will be adding to that offer list shortly. Rockford is loaded with talent for 2023!
St. Laurence has plenty of prospects littered all over the PRzIL 2026, 2025, and 2024 rankings, and has one of their standouts in our ’24 Top-100, who is part of a talented Vikings backfield that will hopefully run wild in 2023. 6′, 200 lber. Aaron Ball Aaron Ball 6’0″ | 190 lbs | RB St. Laurence | 2024 State IL is one of the best RBs in Illinois and remains uncommitted going into August with offers from South Dakota, Upper Iowa, MSU-Mankato, and Southwest MN State. An exciting North/South, between-the-tackles type ball carrier with an effective one-cut ability in the open field, Ball has a strong lower body that helps his contact balance power through tackle attempts and visible dog piles and makes him very hard for a single tackler to bring him down. He does show some elusiveness laterally and does a good job of finding and utilizing space once he gets through the LOS and into the second level of the defense, as well as behind the LOS when his blocking breaks down but the best part of his game is his fun-to-watch and successful ability to absorb, dish out, and power through contact while staying upright and leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. He’ll grind out a defense over four quarters and is going to be even more of a beast with another offseason of work under his belt.
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The Navy Midshipmen have landed a talented haul of Land of Lincoln RBs in their 2024 commitment class, which includes Mount Carmel’s electric RB Alonzo Manning Alonzo Manning 5’5″ | 160 lbs | RB Mount Carmel | 2024 State IL , who punches well above his weight class at 5’6, 170 lbs. Also a Midwest Boom standout and veteran, the energizer bunny of a RB and speedster demonstrates the speed to get the edge on a defense, and is powerful and quick laterally, who does a good job of setting up defenders before cutting at the last second and right as contact is bearing down on him. He’s got some visible start/stop skills and shows some wiggle in the open field, and is also a massive weapon out of the backfield and shows good hands and the ability to win contested catch situations, as well as efficiency in the screen game who can be counted on to also reel in swing passes, wheels, and out routes out of the backfield. Additionally, Manning shows physicality as a blocker, will stick his face into an opponent, and can be an asset lead blocking for his teammates. If he can use that same aggressiveness in pass pro, he has the potential to be a three-down back who brings a different skillset and running style to the gridiron, which should excite the Navy coaching staff and RB room. Manning will be a big part of the Caravan’s attempt to repeat as state champions this fall.
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Carmel Catholic is another program swimming with talent on their 2023 roster and has a weapon out of the slot in 5’8, 175 lber. Torey French Torey French 5’8″ | 160 lbs | ATH Carmel Catholic | 2024 State IL . He posted a 10.98 100M this spring, as well as multiple reported laser 40 in the 4.4s, which includes at the Nike11On camp hosted by the Chicago Bears and at The Stage Showcase. Indiana State has offered an FCS scholly for his exploits on the gridiron, and have to appreciate his positional versatility, as he can line up at multiple receiver spots as well as in the backfield and provide juice as a kick returner on top of it all. French, as a receiver, does a good job of stacking DBs once he gets on top of them, shows some ability as a route runner and shake at the top of the route and can beat 1-on-1 man coverage with different tempos if needed, as well good concentration and strong hands that can reel in receptions away from his body. He also possesses a strong lower body that can run through weaker tackle attempts and shows good contact balance for his size, vision after the catch, and solid burst out of his cuts. He’s dynamic and also looking for a big play, and the Corsairs will utilize him considerably this fall. French is about to have a heckuva senior campaign.
A bit of a tweener in terms of positional projection, Providence Catholic’s 6’2, 205 lb. WR/TE Alex Gibson Alex Gibson 6’2″ | 210 lbs | TE Providence Catholic | 2024 State IL has a gift for the pass catching game and possesses off some solid weight numbers that include a 260 lb. bench and 405 lb. squat going into the fall of his senior year. No offers yet, but PRzIL is a big fan of Gibson and expects that to change soon, especially after he builds on his junior season that saw him post 26 receptions for 653 yards (25+ yards a catch) and 6 TDs. He can flex out to the slot, line up at the wing, or inline as a traditional TE, and displays solid speed that surprises defensive backs as a route runner, shows a little bit of shake when working against man coverage and does a good job of stacking DBs once he beats them, plus that speed helps after the catch and can finish big plays for six. Gibson can absorb and bounce off tackle attempts and stay upright for yards after initial contact and also shows off concentration and strong hands, a big catch radius, an ability to win contested catches, and is especially dangerous down the seam. Make sure you recruit Providence Catholic this upcoming cycle!
Chicago Hope Academy has a fun one in 2024 athlete Jamari West Jamari West 5’10” | 170 lbs | ATH Hope | 2024 State IL , who measures in at 5’10, 175 lbs. and brings a high-energy, effective, and playmaking playstyle and skillset to the table as a WR and occasionally RB. West is positionally versatile and can line up in the backfield, slot, or on the perimeter, can go up and high-point the football, and does a good job of finding space and improvising to his QB when a play breaks down he’s rolling out. He’s also enticingly twitchy, and generates noticeable and impressive power when he sticks his foot in the ground and cuts laterally, which aides him both after the catch and when running routes. He also can break his routes of well and is effective running double-moves, particularly hitch-and-gos and post-corners, can get DBs lunging at the LOS with his impressive releases, has the speed to take the top off the defense and win vertically, and show off a mean spin move and a good repertoire to beat would-be tacklers in the open field. West hasn’t reported any offers or recruiting interest as of yet, which makes him a real Chicago sleeper who could really benefit a collegiate WR room. College programs: get at him before it’s too late!
Another under-recruited exciting rising senior offensive weapon, Eisenhower Cardinal 6’1, 180 lb. WR Antonio Russell Antonio Russell 6’0″ | 170 lbs | WR Eisenhower | 2024 State IL holds a lone offer from FCS Western Illinois but that is sure to change after the senior tape starts pumping out this fall. A 3x All-Conference, 2x All-Area, and the school’s all-time leading WR who holds a couple receiving records at the Blue Island-based high school, Russell is obviously athletic and very shifty, and is super dangerous with the ball in his hands, twitchy, can cut on a dime and can make defenders miss impressively in space. He owns good balance, tracks and plays the ball well in the air, and has solid speed and vision, which helps him take the top off the defense or beat multiple tackle attempts after the catch for a big play. Russell prides himself on his route running, and does show some technicality in that aspect, as he is clean in his footwork, doesn’t waste steps, and shows a knack for setting up and capitalizing when DBs over-commit, open their hips, or allow him to get in their blind spot. He can beat a defender and/or a defense at any point throughout a rep, and Eisenhower does a good job of getting the rock in his hands and allowing him to make plays, which is the mark of a true offensive gamechanger. He’s about to tear up 2023!
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Oak Lawn and Brother Rice product Rickey Taylor Rickey Taylor 6’1″ | 165 lbs | WR Brother Rice | 2024 State IL is next up on our list of exciting and underrated offensive weapons and is also fresh off his first offer from the Winona State Warriors last week. A DII offer out of the NSIC is a good place to start, and college programs looking for a 2024 wideout will be sure to have to check out the 6’1, 165 lb. Crusaders pass catcher. With a QB who committed to Butler in July, his RB going to Navy, an FBS-level OT and more scholarship-worthy OL, plus a talented batch of WR peers that will force defensive back attention off the rising senior, Taylor is poised for a productive 2023 senior campaign, which follows a successful indoor track season that saw him post a 6.86 55M and 7.37 60M. Most effective out of the slot, Taylor brings length and long strides to the table and does a great job of consistently creating separation as a route runner, where he breaks off his routes well, utilizes the sideline well, and finds and exploits space in the middle of the field in his underneath routes. He cuts quickly and abruptly, both after the catch and when running routes, shows off good concentration, tracks the ball well, and is balanced through contact, and has a knack for spinning out of collisions. I especially enjoy how fearless he is over the middle of the field and will complete receptions through big hits with toughness and overall impressively. He’s overall concise, fluid, and smooth and will make for a heckuva pickup for his future college home. Great move by Winona State getting in early.
Representing Southern Ill and the always-talented town Belleville, East High School’s 6’1, 190 lber. Armon Vinson Armon Vinson 6’1″ | 195 lbs | ATH Belleville East | 2024 State IL plays QB for the Lancers but is so dangerous with his legs & feet that I had to classify him as an ATH in our updated PRzIL 2024 rankings. He can work under center or out of the shotgun, can throw on the run and shows off solid velocity and touch, and does a good job of getting the ball out of his hand quickly. What really excites me is his general mobility, as he’s instinctive when feeling and avoiding pressure, can extend plays impressively, and is smooth when stepping up into the pocket to avoid the rush. He’s straight-up dangerous when he takes off and runs, and is balanced when breaking tackles when scrambling, and does a good job of keeping his up and downfield but recognizes when to take off and run and can really hurt defenses with his legs, as he’s shifty with the ball in hand and dangerous in space. Vinson is a notable athlete at the position who could project to multiple spots at the college level. No offers yet, get at him!
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A part of a productive WR duo from last fall, Maine South’s 5’11, 180 lber. Evan Agosto Evan Agosto 5’11” | 180 lbs | WR Maine South | 2024 State IL saw his pass catching partner transfer to Mount Carmel, which, although unfortunate, means an increased workload and potential production for the remaining Hawk standout. Successful against big-school competition, Agosto was an All-Conference pick in 2022 while competing for one of the Illinois’ most successful high school programs of the 2000s in Maine South, yet somehow sits without an offer going into the August of his senior year. A potentially considerable pickup for a college WR room, Agosto brandishes the capacity to get open from multiple WR positions and strong hands that can catch the ball away from his body. I also like his concentration and toughness over the middle and can bounce off potentially big hits from safeties coming downhill, and he displays a little bit of wiggle in his releases and in the open field after the catch, as well as good vision. Additionally, Agosto breaks off his routes well and will throw out a good stiff arm that can do some damage against unprepared defenders. It’s going to be a big year for the Park Ridge product!
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Representing the deep SW suburbs of Chicago, Minooka Indians 5’11, 190 lb. RB Joey Partridge Joey Partridge 5’11” | 190 lbs | RB Minooka | 2024 State IL is coming off an accomplished junior season that saw him earn First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-Area honors after posting 194 carries for 988 yards and 13 TDs plus 17 receptions for 180 yards and a TD with only one fumble in 11 games of action. Currently without an offer, the fun-to-watch ball carrier exhibits the capability to pop off explosive plays between the tackles or out on the edge of an opposing defense and can find and get skinny through gaps at the LOS, and shows solid burst through the first and second levels of a defense. I like how Partridge accelerates out of his cuts and is good at making that last defender miss, and his shifty hips and running style make it hard for would-be tacklers to corral. He shows a comfortability catching passes out of the backfield as a bonus and is a surefire bet to best those production numbers from 2022 this fall. He needs some recruiting love!
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I’ve mentioned it before, but my in-laws have had a cottage in Wauconda for decades, and I’ve spent a few summers in Lake County and Wauconda and am a particularly big fan of Wauconda Fest, so I always make sure to follow the Bulldogs and keep a close eye on the talent coming out of our home-away-from-home. And holy cow, I am a BIG fan of their 6′, 170 lb. RB Connor Vanselow Connor Vanselow 6’0″ | 170 lbs | RB Wauconda | 2024 State IL , who earned All-Area and All-Conference honors last fall and also sports a quality baseball background when not tearing it up on the gridiron. Vanselow posted 125 carries for 1,071 yards and 15 rushing TDs plus three receiving touchdowns in exciting fashion, as he’s a rumbling bulldozer of a RB whose contact balance is more reminiscent of a ‘back 20 pounds heavier. He can spin out of or straight up truck stick over defenders like he’s Adrian Peterson (sorry for the Vikings reference). With an easy going running style that outpaces opponents in casual fashion, Vanselow has the speed to get the edge and house call rushes up the gut of a defense, shows some lateral quickness and a strong cut back ability around the LOS, and plays with good angles and utilizes space well when he’s running and adjusting to defenders pursuit angles. The physicality for a 170 lber. really stands out, as he fights for as many yards as he can get and has a violent and efficient stiff arm. He can easily run through arm tackles and even straight up solid tackle attempts as well. Right now, he holds a lone Valpo offer, but he looks like a scholarship back on tape who can really capitalize on his skillset in a college S&C program and RB room. DIIs need to get on this kid ASAP. Lake County’s finest!
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One of the the most popular and highly-touted recruits on this list, Neuqua Valley’s standout WR/ATH Miles Miskel Miles Miskel 5’11” | 185 lbs | WR Neuqua Valley | 2024 State IL holds offers from UConn, Davenport, Central Michigan, and Akron, and has posted an eye-catching 10.7 hand-timed 100M this past April while competing in the outdoor track & field season. Also an All-Conference pick on the gridiron from the 2022 season, Miskel showed off the ability to contribute to all three phases of the game, and has no problems playing physically, as he’ll put kids on their butts blocking on the perimeter, shed blocks and lay strong tackles in run support as a DB, and even has a nice rep on kickoff coverage where he blows up an upback and makes a great tackle on the returner. Offensively, he’s got good overall control, possesses good vision and a variety of moves he employs in the open field to beat tackle attempts, and tracks and plays the ball well in the air while the capability to high point the rock over tight coverage. Miskel could project to either WR or DB in college, and although this article features exciting offensive weapons, the physicality he displays compared to the other offensive contributors on this list makes me think DB would be a great fit. Not up to me, though! Let’s see what he puts out on the gridiron this fall for the Wildcats.
Willowbrook’s well-built gunslinger Arthur Palicki Arthur Palicki 6’4″ | 215 lbs | QB Willowbrook | 2024 State IL stood out on film while grinding tape for the PRzIL 2024 rankings update. I’m not sure how he doesn’t have an offer yet, as the tape is impressive in a tools and physical sense, as he possesses a big arm, smooth throwing motion that generates noticeable velocity, and can fit in the ball into very tight windows for the prep level, and put the ball on a rope, but will also put touch on the ball when needed. There’s good ball placement on tape, a quick release, and it looks like he sees the field well, as well as step up into the pocket to buy time but is a throw-first QB who keeps his eyes downfield. He also runs the read-option well and makes smart decisions as to when to take or give the rock and is a powerful runner who uses that big frame and strong lower body to his advantage. Willowbrook only went 5-5 last fall, and I don’t have stats available for Palicki, plus I haven’t seen him in person in a camp or padded setting, so I don’t have the complete picture, but there are some impressive throws and physical tools in the junior tape that is definitely worth taking a flyer out on. Going to be a big fall for the 6’4, 215 lber.
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Another unoffered rising senior, United Township’s Korey Randle Korey Randle 6’0″ | 160 lbs | ATH United Township | 2024 State IL is a three-phase contributor at WR, DB, and returning, and brings a skillset out of the slot that can take the top off the defense as well as create separation at the top of the route. He’s got a dynamic skillset athletically as well, as he can slip through tackle attempts and is quick laterally, shows good balance and burst, and is a speedier weapon that is an impressive kick returner who glides through traffic and into space in easy fashion. He uses that same kind of gliding gait when the ball is in hand as well, but one of my favorite traits of his is how he can bring down catches through contact and complete receptions away from his body with visibly strong hands. He’ll go up, win contested catches and 50/50 balls, but is athletic enough to stay on his feet and work through the immediate tackle from the DB to continue onward for more yardage and a lot of the time, a TD. Randle is noticeably athletic and a natural playmaker with a lot of tools in his bag to win reps. Someone get at this kid!
Representing Normal Community West High School, 6′, 185 lb. WR and kick returner Gavin Camp Gavin Camp 6’0″ | 185 lbs | ATH Normal Community West | 2024 State IL is a recent D1 offeree after Illinois State reaches out with a FCS scholarship from the mighty Missouri Valley Football Conference in late June. It was a smart move by the Redbirds and is only offer as of right now, which should change as more schools realize his potential as a collegiate wideout. He’s a deep threat who is also able to something nothing into a big-time, hair-raising TD, and is quick, especially after the catch, with big-play speed and a ton of explosiveness as a returner. He’s especially tough for receivers to get hands on at the LOS and shows an ease at getting them to open the gate, and can drop his hips at the top of the route to freeze DBs feet. He is a great bet to best his 37 receptions for 502 yards and 201 rushing yards last fall. Illinois State made a great move in offering Camp. I’d have done the same.
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