IL Rising Stars: Class of 2025 Slot Receivers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2025 in the Land of Lincoln is loaded with talent at every position. Below are some Class of 2025 slot receivers who burst onto the scene last season. As they prepare for their senior seasons, keep an eye on these rising stars at the wide receiver position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["331561"],"_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":"Pettaway is a dynamic slot receiver out of Naperville North. The 5'10, 170 lbs speedster can do it all. He is as smooth a route runner as one will find, possesses electrifying speed, and makes plenty of highlight-reel catches. Pettaway displays the ability to smoothly weave in and out of breaks, transitioning his hips to get opposing defensive backs off balance while creating separation at the top of his route. He also has the speed to run past nearly any defender who is guarding him and possesses elite body control that makes for some acrobatic catches. This human highlight-reel in Pettaway is poised for a monster senior campaign.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["278890"],"_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":"Simmons is a 6'1, 175 lbs wide receiver out of Glenwood. The dynamic junior can beat teams in a variety of ways, as he tallied over 1,100 all-purpose yards last season. What makes Simmons most dangerous is after the catch (or hand off), as he cuts in and out of tackles to make defenders look silly in the open field. He is a major asset in the screen game or on jet hand offs, but also possesses the straight line speed to run past safeties or nickels from the slot. Simmons also has a long frame and plus strength, allowing him to make catches and break tackles by more than just juke moves. Keep an eye on this rising star in Simmons as he heads towards his senior year.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["278900"],"_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":"Willis is an electrifying wide receiver out of St. Francis. He posted a monster junior campaign, totaling 1,000 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. The 5'10, 170 lbs slot is a smooth route runner with incredible speed who is equally as dangerous before catching the ball as he is with it in his hands. Willis can race off the line, selling vertical routes while stemming out to the rest of the route tree. And once he secures the catch, good luck tackling him in the open field. Willis can break a defender's ankles at a moments notice, as his swift jukes and ability to cut in the open field are jaw-dropping. Perhaps one of the more underrated slots in the Land of Lincoln, Willis is a prospect that college's don't want to miss out on.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["299410"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Rowswell is an elite prospect who was a big play threat for Lincoln Way-West this past fall. The 6'1, 180 lbs wide receiver, and track star, averaged 19.2 yards per catch while adding 9 touchdowns in 2023. The name of Rowswell's game is speed, as he cruises past defenders on both vertical routes and when taking jet handoffs. Once he hits the edge, or races past the opposing safeties, nobody is catching him. Because of his size and length, Rowswell can also dominate at the outside receiver spot. This past season, he also took some plays at running back. Incredible versatile, Rowswell stock is soaring heading into his senior campaign.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["330441"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Dezort is a shifty slot receiver out of Chicago Academy. The dynamic junior went for over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns in his junior season, making an impact on the game in a variety of ways. Dezort is a smooth route runner who is also dangerous in the jet and screen game. He is shifty with the ball in his hands, showcasing the ability to juke out defenders with his precision cuts. Dezort is also a dangerous returner, who has home run potential every time he possesses the rock. As he heads for his senior year, Dezort's stock is on the rise.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c4152904116"} /-->