Best Performances Among Uncommitted ’24s
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Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription! Football is back! The road to State is underway, and the Class of 2024 didn’t wait to take their opportunities and run with them. With Week One in the books, I…
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Football is back! The road to State is underway, and the Class of 2024 didn’t wait to take their opportunities and run with them. With Week One in the books, I want to go through the PRZ IL rankings and look at the film of the uncommitted seniors highlights from Week 1 to see how they have developed and give them the spotlight they deserve. There were great performances, so let’s get started!
The top uncommitted RB in the state of Illinois started off his senior season with a bang! Tony lives up to his Lightning nickname. His agility, change of direction, and burst are elite level traits. He could truly make anyone miss in a phone booth. His lower body is so explosive, and once he gets a seam his top end speed is impossible to chase down with a pursuit angle. The balance he plays with through the change of direction, and the hits he takes is special as well. Phillips is built to dominate out in space, and looks like the biggest mismatch that Illinois has to offer.
Highlights
The 6’7″ 260 lbs left tackle out of Sterling is transitioning very smoothly from the TE position. Lucas shines in the run game. He fires out of his stance, uses his elite length to make first contact and clamp his hands onto his man. His ovearll strength allows him to overpower DL and get them off the line of scrimmage. Austin also showed off the range, both moving down the line to reach block or get up to the second level to block an LB. Lucas is looking solid in pass protection too. He again uses his length to his advantage and trusts his athleticism to keep him mirroring his man. It was a good start for the rising OT.
Highlights
You can’t ask for a much better start as a team and an individual than what Conor Kenzinger Conor Kenzinger 6’7″ | 280 lbs | OL Brother Rice | 2024 State IL and Brother Rice had Friday night. The 6’7″ 285 lbs senior is going to be a massive addition to whoever lands him. Conor has that elite frame with long arms, and more impressively, has the athleticism to move comfortably out in space as well as in the trenches while engaged with blocks. He double teamed up to level two and was able to come off level one to block level two effectively. The massive OT also checks off the strength box. He helped create a big push in short yardage situations and has a strong anchor in pass protection. There aren’t many OT prospects in the Midwest on Conor’s level still looking for a home. Check out the tape below.
Ethan and Stevenson HS welcomed WI opponent Kenosha Bradford to their home field for their season opener. The 6’2″ 250 lbs senior DL was a disruptive force all night long. Ethan thrives thanks in part to a very high motor. It is on display throughout the highlights. He fights through blocks, chases down plays outside the tackle box, and makes a lot of plays outside the initial framework of the play because he just keeps playing 100 mph. Ethan’s first step explosiveness was a mismatch for the Bradford IOL to try and stop. Ethan was able to consistently fly through gaps and make plays in the backfield. The big man also has very heavy hands and used them to deliver hard swipes or punches to clear the hands of the OL. It was a great start for one of the top uncommitted senior DL in the state. Don’t overlook the standout DL.
Highlights
Stats: 19 Carries, 207 Yards, 3 TDs, 1 Receiving TDrnHJ is off to a great start this year! He was able to stretch the defense horizontally with his speed, and usually was able to easily get outside the contain man and pick up big chunks of yards with his speed. Grigsby also showed off good vision, finding lanes to cut up and through instead of getting to the outside. The 6′ 180 lbs senior runs hard and behind his shoulder pads too. We also got a quick glimpse into his receiving ability, especially his elusiveness after the catch. HJ continues to be a natural big play creator. Give him a look.
Highlights
Stats: 11 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 94 All Purpose Yards, ,1 TDrnJack has long been a stout run defender. He continued that in Week One as a senior. Lesher has strong instincts for the position. He reads plays quickly and is able to put himself in the most advantageous position to make the play. He has the strength to take on and shed blocks before making the play, and Jack showed off solid lateral agility to be able to make tackles on shiftier, smaller athletes. We also got to see Jack show off range and that he is comfortable out in space defending the pass. Jack brought the same physical style of play to offense where he ran through defenders on the way to a big day on the ground too.
Highlights
The 6’3″ 205 lbs senior WR/DB is a physically imposing presence out wide. Miles is a powerful runner after the catch, and it gives DBs fits as they try to gang tackle the big man out in space. Miles also had a great week at safety. He showed off the range and speed as he roamed a deep half. Miles also showed off the speed to be able to pick up and run with receivers across the field. In zone, Cremascoli showed off good awareness and ability to read the QB. The senior was also very disruptive at the catch point.