2025 Film Room: Northern Suburbs Wide Receivers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue our breakdown of the position groups across the state in the 2025 class.&nbsp; The film we are now evaluating is the wide receiver group from all over Illinois!&nbsp; Today we examine <strong>2025 Film Room: Northern Suburbs Wide Receivers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831093' first='Cameron' last='Bates'] (Grayslake North – 6'2” 175)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bates has solid size and is an adept route runner getting in and out of his cuts.&nbsp; "Very good route runner" was written down at least half a dozen times.&nbsp; Tracks the ball over his shoulder on deep ball.&nbsp; Smooth acceleration gliding past the defensive backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='705477' first='Jerrell' last='Benson'] (Lincoln Park – 6'0” 160)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benson is a good athlete that is a big time downfield threat!&nbsp; Scores on long go routes.&nbsp; Speed in the open field on quick routes getting a ton of YAC.&nbsp; Solid blocker.&nbsp; Impacts in the return game as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='299568' first='Jarren' last='Black'] (Carmel – 6'1” 165)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Black is an excellent deep threat with downfield speed.&nbsp; Smooth route runner and can explode by his man on the go route.&nbsp; Strong hands. High points contested catches in the end zone. Relocates when QB scrambles and finds soft spot in the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1167684' first='Dayvion' last='Ellis'] (St. Viator – 6'0” 175)<br></strong><br>Impressive tape from Ellis who racked up 1503 all purpose yards and 12 touchdowns this past season. Consistently blows past man on post route. Scores a TON of long touchdowns. Really runs and has good hands tracking. Catches deep balls and extends after the catch for TDs.&nbsp; Such an easy acceleration on his routes and is very good at catching the ball over his shoulder. Gadget player potential too!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490971' first='Colin' last='Hochmuth'] (Huntley – 6'4” 180)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hochmuth is a big wide receiver that is almost like a power forward out there.&nbsp; Plays with a ton of physicality. High points balls in the endzone.&nbsp; Being a redzone threat is his biggest strength.&nbsp; Out body positions his DB to get a lot of his catches. Physical at the point of the catch.&nbsp; Not the fastest or most sudden guy.&nbsp; More of a TD or possession threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754580' first='LJ' last='Kerr'] (Burlington Central – 6'0” 160)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kerr brings a lot of toughness and grit at the wide out spot. Lays out for catch to begin his tape.&nbsp; Overall he is a crisp route runner that has good hands and racks up first downs.&nbsp; Willing to go over the middle.&nbsp; Very good blocker that likes to do it.&nbsp; Ran one DB into the stands Michael Oher style!&nbsp; Has some potential in the return game as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='833307' first='Caden' last='West'] (Burlington Central – 5'9” 160)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Interesting tape for West. Built like a running back.&nbsp; Takes short passes and turns them into long gains on a consistent basis.&nbsp; Major YAC threat. Explodes downhill with the ball in his hands making 50+ yard touchdowns a normal thing. Adjust well to the ball in the air when catching deep passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='299479' first='Brennan' last='Saxe'] (Fremd – 6'3” 175)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saxe is a 6'3" wide out that racked up 76 catches for 925 yards and 7 scores this past season.&nbsp; Redzone monster with his size and catch radius. High points them in traffic for TDs.&nbsp; Not a burner, but is quick, fluid, and gets off press coverage well at the line. His best speed comes with the ball in his hands recording YAC. Good on short crossing routes turning it up field for yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->