Superstars in the Making

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Illinois is one of the most consistent states at producing high caliber FBS prospects. Prospects that not only garner tons of offers, but go on to have big impacts at the collegiate level. Many times, we see those athletes begin to stand out and separate themselves early in their careers. Today, we are going to look at 4 athletes who are in the process of setting themselves apart from the crowd. This is a special group of athletes that I believe we will be watching on Saturday afternoons down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["800191"],"_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":"Jonas is a special talent at the QB position. The sophomore already is checking off boxes needed when looking for a Power 5 prospect. He looks the part with his big, strong 6'3u0022 195 lbs frame. Jonas has the mental side of the game down too. He knows where to go with the ball, and is decisive with his choices. The physical talent is rare. Jonas has the prototypical throwing motion that is quick, and has a high release point. The arm strength to put elite velocity on the ball is already there too.  Jonas can absolutely rocket the ball deep down the field to hit tiny windows. There is no doubt that he has the arm strength to make plays at the highest level of college football. Where he separates himself is that he can make those high powered throws with pinpoint accuracy. Williams has excellent control over the ball, and can place it exactly where he wants it. It is clear to see why Jonas is our #1 player in his Class. Big things are ahead, and the offers are already coming in from Power 5 schools. Big things are ahead for the sophomore QB.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6531c0459802f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17776843/65010bc764ea1b0904792d8f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6531c04598088"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212319"],"_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":"JC is looking like the next massive, unfair mismatch at the TE position coming out of Illinois. The sophomore already has an elite build at 6'7u0022 230 lbs. The big fella is a special athlete who already is able to move comfortably and smoothly. That allows the standout prospect to run crisp routes with breaks that catch DBs off guard. JC also has speed that catches you unprepared. He is a very long strider because of his size, and that gives off that deceptive speed. You don't have to watch long, though, to see that the athleticism is FBS quality. The big target also has soft hands so he can high point, catch the ball away fro his body, and give his QB a massive catch radius to target. I can't wait to follow his career at this level and the next.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6531c045980f1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15646126/653072518cdefb0a54090007' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6531c04598112"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283926"],"_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":"Kai already plays the WR like an experienced senior. The 6'1u0022 160 lbs sophomore is a nuanced route runner. Someone who shows great body control and balance. That allows him to hit breaks at a high rate of speed, and burst out of them without having to gather himself. That crisp route running has been opening up huge windows for his QB to target all season long. Kai also has the speed to get up field in a hurry and then pull away from defenders. Owens also has the elusiveness and wiggle to make DBs miss. I'm excited to see the standout sophomore continue to develop his game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6531c0459816b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17757188/6507315d176ce30fc4a9c81b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6531c0459818a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801698"],"_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":"A force in the trenches on defense is Carl Sandburg's DE/DT [player_tooltip player_id='801698' first='Jaden' last='Weaver']. The 6'3u0022 240 lbs sophomore is a big time mismatch for OL at the HS level. Weaver has shown a consistently explosive first step, and the big man is able to instantly turn it into power at the point of contact. He does a great job of using his hands and making first contact with them. Jaden uses his length to make room for him to use a pass rush move to beat blocks. The sophomore is a force in the trenches, and is able to effect plays even if he doesn't get to the ball. The sophomore is already earning FBS offers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6531c045981e2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18089389/651253e366554f0b5444c824' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6531c045981ff"} /-->