2025s Poised For Their First Offer

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illinois season is on our doorstep! Things get rolling Friday night, and with it comes the chance for many athletes to continue to pile up the film to help them earn college offers. In particular, there are multiple 2025s who look like they are in position to earn their first elusive college offer as they start to dominate the competition as juniors. Today, we dove into the film of six 2025s from across the Land of Lincoln that I believe will earn their first offer quickly after the season gets underway. We start with a force along the DL out of East St. Louis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["830840"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"This one is very surprising, but it looks like the 6'2u0022 245 lbs DE is still no the hunt for his first offer. If his junior tape shows even more development from his sophomore tape Ke'Andre won't be waiting much longer. The sophomore film shows a big strong prospect. While he doesn't have the prototypical size for the DE position, McClendon does have long arms. The rising junior demonstrated over and over that he knows how to use that length and his hands to disengage and get into the  backfield. His hands are heavy, and his rip and swim moves easily cleared the OL's hands. The big man proved to have good lateral wiggle too to get around his opponents. Ke'Andre looks the part with his length, hand use, lateral quickness, and burst. This is an athlete to get your eyes on early and often.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb698f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16947446/638cf18eff025803d03aeac3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb69da"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["278899"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Coming in at RB2 in the Class of 2025 is the 6' and now 215 lbs junior. Tyler is a patient runner with great natural instincts for the position. He sees the field very well, and identifies escape routes in tight quarters. Lofton is a very smooth athlete too. You don't see a lot of choppy movement. He heads for his landmark, finds the hole, sticks his foot in the ground, and then uses his superior speed to create the big plays. Tyler does have some wiggle and elusiveness for the one on one situations in space against DBs, but he saves it for those situations. Lofton finished with 1,300+ yards in 2022. The encore should be even better. Get ready for a big year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb6a32"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16172578/636c22516899a50a6c531ead' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb6a4f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["830247"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The best junior OL in the state without an offer is Carbondale's [player_tooltip player_id='830247' first='Owen' last='Lee']. He is massive at 6'5u0022 285 lbs. Watching through the highlights, you almost feel bad for the defense. Owen is an absolute mauler in the run game. He has cinder block hands that deliver some devastating punches. Punches that send DL or LBs in the opposite direction. The big man has solid range too. He can reach down the line or get up tot he second level and still be able to gather himself so that he can deliver those hard hitting blocks. The big fella has a powerful base and anchor to match the upper body. Don't sleep on the junior this fall. Keep an eye out for the new film.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb6aa6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16828346/6354d54f1600420420ed8ce3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb6ac3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["201957"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 6' 180 lbs junior has the interest of the D1 level, but we are still looking for that first offer. I have a feeling what he does right away this season will go a long ways towards changing that quickly. Looking back at the sophomore film, it is clear that Marcus has teh natural arm talent to develop at the next level. He is able to deliver accurate passes with velocity while off platform. His ability to elude pass rushers in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield shows off great poise, and confidence in his athletic abilities. When he is able to plant his feet and step into it, Marcus is also able to stretch the field 40+ yards downfield with good ball placement. I'm very excited to watch him lead the Morgan Park offense starting this week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb6b17"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16200663/635895bb578d4b0c707a3998' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb6b33"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["583759"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"You can't argue with the production that the 6'2u0022 175 lbs WR put up as a sophomore. He finished with nearly 700 yards and 11 TDs. So I am expecting big things from the standout weapon this fall. Last season, Travis showed off the field stretching speed. He consistently ripped the top off the defense with his speed. Speed that ate up the cushion from DBs and left them trying to catch up out of their hip flip. The big target adjusts well to the ball in flight also. He finds ways to put himself in position that gives him the best chance of securing the catch. Travis demonstrated really good spacial awareness along the sideline and in the corner of the endzone. I'm excited to watch him continue to develop himself into a well rounded WR.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb6b82"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16521067/63717fb2ff02750998cc314a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb6b9e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["832142"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We end the article with another big surprise on this list. Tommy is a massive human at 6'8u0022 330 lbs. He is also a talented human, already entering his third season of varsity football as a junior. Tommy doesn't waste that size either. Once he makes contact Tommy is able to quickly generate a push with the momentum he carried into the contact. Lamberti has decent feet, especially for his size. He is able to adjust while engaged so he can stay square on his opponent, and he is able to mirror pass rushers and pick up stunts like twists. Lamberti also has a stout anchor that prevents bull rushes from finding success. I can't wait to see how he has developed his game and athleticism this offseason.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb6beb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16280535/638402f85b3cd113c47d65cb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e6926bb6c07"} /-->