Preseason Preview: Peoria Lions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are under a month away from kickoff for the 2023 season. As the season approaches, we will be previewing some of the top programs across the state. Next up is last year's 5A IHSA Runner Up, the Peoria Lions. Peoria is poised to make another title run with a talented quarterback and some explosive playmakers on both sides of the ball. Let's take a deeper dive into some key starters returning for the Lions, as well as some other prospects who are ready to step up and take on a bigger role this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891219"],"_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":"Rutherford is a versatile player who is flying up recruiting boards. The 6'3, 200 lbs hybrid defender played multiple positions for the Lions last season, and excelled at every spot. Rutherford is the definition of a hybrid player, as his film showcases his skills at safety, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, and defensive line. This speaks to the type of athlete that Rutherford is, as he possesses elite closing speed and physicality that allows him to make splash plays. Rutherford most likely projects as an edge defender at the next level, as he displays phenomenal bend, a high motor, and can run down any scrambling quarterback or running back. He is a true gamechanger, as he stands out at multiple positions and will only get better in his senior season.rnrnu003cemu003eOffers: Indiana, Southern Illinois, Lindenwood, Illinois State, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinoisu003c/emu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["271879"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Gist led the Lions to the state championship as their starting quarterback. The 6'1, 180 lbs signal caller tore it up in his junior season, throwing for over 2,500 yards on a 68% completion rate. He has a quick release, displaying accuracy and velocity with a flick on the wrist. Gist can throw from different arm slots, allowing him to fit the ball over or around opposing defenders. Gist reads the defensive coverage quickly, showing off his sharp decision making and ability to throw the ball into tight windows. Additionally, he has tremendous accuracy when throwing on the run and smooth touch on deep balls. With Gist leading the Lions' offense again this season, Peoria is poised to light up the scoreboard once again.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["609227"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Thornton is a 6'4, 280 lbs offensive linemen who has been on varsity since his freshman year. He plays with a nastiness and physicality that makes him one of the top offensive linemen in the Land of Lincoln for the Class of 2025. Thornton fires off the ball on the snap, using his lower half and long arms to drive defenders backwards. The powerful offensive linemen strikes with a strong punch, moving his feet in unison and showing off his strong technique. In pass protection, Thornton kick steps smoothly and eliminates space by using the same punch that he delivers in the run game. Thornton is incredibly polished for a sophomore, meaning he could finish the year as a top linemen in the state after his junior season, regardless of class.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"TQ Webb","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Peoria","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Webb was beyond impressive in his sophomore season, going for nearly 1,000 yards and tallying 10 touchdowns. Webb is extremely polished, as he possesses elite route running, phenomenal speed, and great hands. With these three assets, Webb flashes his playmaking ability every time he touches the ball. With his lethal combination of speed and route running, Webb creates separation in a variety of ways. He moves in and out of breaks smoothly and can stack defensive backs by putting his foot in the ground and running by them. He can make contested catches, adjust to balls in the air, and displays tremendous body control on off-place throughs. Webb is the total package, as his stock is soaring heading into his junior season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Patrick Jordan","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Peoria","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Jordan is a 5'11, 225 lbs defensive linemen who showed off his athleticism and physicality in this junior campaign. The Peoria product has quick feet, which translate in a variety of ways to his game. He has a quick first step when the ball is snapped, allowing him to create penetration in both the run game and pass game. He utilizes low pad level and his hands to get extension on blocks and shed them. He redirects quickly in the backfield, allowing him to chase down running backs from the backside or to get vertical in the pass game to collapse the pocket and run down the opposing quarterback. As Jordan makes the leap from his junior year to his senior season, he should be a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["212317"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Keep an eye out for Green, as the incoming sophomore is the top ranked offensive lineman in Illinois for the Class of 2026. Green stands at a towering 6'4, weighing 300 lbs. While his size certainly stands out, it's Green's athleticism that makes him an elite prospect who is sure to see Division I offers roll in soon. Green made an immediate impact in his freshman year, anchoring the Lions' varsity offensive line. He moves incredibly well, showing physicality and strong technique. He moves swiftly on down blocks, using his size and power to drive defenders backwards. He shows off his athleticism when working combo blocks and climbing up to the second level. As Green becomes more polished with his pass protection heading into his sophomore year, there won't be anything Green can't do on the field.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Sean Franklin","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Peoria","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"The 6'2, 175 lbs wide receiver is poised to take on an even bigger roll in the Lions' offense heading into his senior year. Franklin has phenomenal size and speed, both of which he utilizes to beat defenders. Franklin uses his frame to make tough catches over the middle of the field. He can sneak in between the second and third levels, allowing him to settle in between linebackers and safeties and box out defenders while make contested catches. Once he does catch the ball, Franklin has the shiftiness and speed to outrun defenders to the edge and take it to the house. He also uses his speed to create separation when faced with one-on-one coverage. Franklin is one of the more underrated receivers in the Class of 2024, and heading into this upcoming season, Franklin's stock is on the rise.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64cd5ebb0f85d"} /-->