2027 IL Varsity Contributors to Watch For

Jake Lemming

April 5, 2024 @ 10:25 AM

Before we know it, summer camp will be here, and high school football will be back in the swing of things. I for one am chomping at the bit to see some high-level high school football around the country. In the meantime, I wanted to look at some prospects that saw varsity action last fall and haven't gotten a ton of interest from colleges just yet. Some were varsity starters, while others were more of a role player. With these prospects being so early in their high school careers, these guys have plenty of time to develop and continue to gain steam on the recruiting trail.     As always, If you have someone you think I need to see, please DM them to me on Twitter at @hsfbscout!   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   QB: [player_tooltip player_id='1195421' first='Jaylen' last='Maners'] Fairfield, 6'4" 185   A good-sized prospect that throws with timing and anticipation. Maners shows consistent ball placement and moxy within the pocket. He needs to continue to hit the weight room and develop his arm strength, if he does, watch out!   LB: K.J. Craig, Prosser, 6'3" 190   A long, athletic outside linebacker prospect that is quite raw. When you turn on the tape, you see the processing ability, burst, lateral quickness, and closing speed. He's not there quite yet, but there are a ton of tools he can continue to develop over the next three seasons.   RB: Quinn Durkin, Sandburg, 5'10" 180   A back that can run with both finesse and power. Durkin may not have a ton of production behind him just yet, but he did make the most out of the opportunities he got in 2023. He's got good contact balance, refined footwork and is a major receiving threat out of the backfield.   DB: [player_tooltip player_id='1335196' first='James' last='McGrath'], St. Francis, 6' 190   An instinctual safety prospect with natural ball skills and exceptional route awareness. McGrath can cover a ton of ground while the ball is in the air and shows no hesitation coming downhill and running the alley.   ATH: [player_tooltip player_id='1335424' first='Lyfe' last='Campbell'], University, N/A   Theres a lot to like about Mr. Campbell; his patience, creativity, vision, sure hands out of the backfield, and his 1 on 1 shake. This young man was flat-out dynamic in a win against Springfield last fall accounting for four total touchdowns in the game (two rushing, one receiving, and one kickoff return).   EDGE: [player_tooltip player_id='1237966' first='Sincere' last='Harris'], Eisenhower, 6'1" 215   Harris played with his hand in the dirt in 2023, but I think based on his size, he projects as a stand-up edge rusher at the next level. This young man has active hands, a stout anchor, and a tenacious motor. His effort on tape is off the charts.   DE: [player_tooltip player_id='1335224' first='Caleb' last='Brown'], East St. Louis, 6'2" 240   A ferocious fighter that has the strength to put an offensive lineman on skates. Brown can sit back and eat up double teams, he's got a firm punch and noticeable quickness that can be utilized on interior stunts.

Before we know it, summer camp will be here, and high school football will be back in the swing of things. I for one am chomping at the bit to see some high-level high school football around the country. In the meantime, I wanted to look at some prospects that saw varsity action last fall and haven't gotten a ton of interest from colleges just yet. Some were varsity starters, while others were more of a role player. With these prospects being so early in their high school careers, these guys have plenty of time to develop and continue to gain steam on the recruiting trail.