PrepRedzoneIL Class of 2027 Rankings Drop: QB Breakdown

The PrepRedzone Illinois Class of 2027 rankings are finally here! After a full year of gathering names, statistics, tape, and athletic numbers, we are live with a talent-rich Top 75 and a nearly 140-strong Big Board including the watchlist. It also includes 16 players with a FBS offer, a ton of varsity experience and starters, and specific to this feature, 8 talented quarterbacks making up the 75 strong 2027 rankings. This is absolutely the prime time position of the rising sophomores in the Land of Lincoln, and the position group you guys should most want to know about at this point in time, even above the loaded defensive and offensive line. 5 of the 8 already have a reported FBS offer, with 3 earning P4 offers, and there's a ton of talent on the watchlist as well. Take a look at the first positional breakdown of the PRzIL 2027 Rankings Drop. Dig in!   --   Rankings    A well-known and seasoned name since his time in the Illinois youth football ranks, Carmel Catholic High School's [player_tooltip player_id='426566' first='Trae' last='Taylor'] quickly and easily adjusted to varsity competition and is looking and playing like a national Top 150/Top 100 prospect with an offer sheet to match. The 6'2, 180 lber. was a P4 offeree before he even stepped foot into high school, earning an in-person offer from Michigan's OC Kirk Campbell in June of 2023, which were preceded by Marshall, Maryland, and Central Michigan (earned at the Wayne State mega camp) offers and followed by Miami and Colorado offers before his freshman year began. A move up to varsity for significant reps, as well as a 81% completion percentage between varsity and JV at the midseason point, led to a plethora of gameday visits and an offer from Eastern Illinois, priming him for what was a very eventful offseason before his sophomore season. Taylor is a natural and consistent in-person, camp and/or workout standout performer, and the combination of film and in-person "wow" factor led to an offer to Tulane after a visit, as well as a big-time B1G offer from Illinois after watching a practice in Champaign. The same thing happened when Taylor visited Purdue, as well as North Carolina State, platforming him one of the best showings during the Summer Camp SZN of any QB in the country. Toledo, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, West Virginia, Ohio State, and Minnesota all have offered since June, and all due to in-person performances and evaluations.   Owning a big arm that can stretch the field, especially for his age, Taylor has some big-time qualities I'm already willing to stake some money on, notably his ability to win when he starts/contributes and his accuracy. Taylor can hit to all three levels of the feel, and I like his ball placement on back-shoulder fades and when hitting his receivers in-stride and in-rhythm. He can throw off-platform, fit the ball into tight windows, especially for a freshman, and displays a quick release that can get the ball to the first read with accuracy and keep his offense moving with positive gains. I love the impressive, tight, and consistent mechanics, and the 180 lb. sophomore showed he can move outside of the pocket and extend plays. Not often you find a young signal-caller with this much poise who can read, deliver, and sling the ball around with confidence, and accuracy, and decision-making so above his age. The scary part is that he's only getting better, and with the snappy release and velocity, consistent mechanics, and a lean frame that will continue to fill in, [player_tooltip player_id='426566' first='Trae' last='Taylor'] was a clear and obvious choice for the #1 overall ranked 2027 in the Great State of Illinois.     Another high-profile and prolific name from Chicagoland who stormed into the high school football scene after a decorated youth football career, Maine South's [player_tooltip player_id='342339' first='Jameson' last='Purcell'] earned a UA Next All-America game selection and early middle school offers from UAB, Ole Miss, USF, Western Kentucky, and Auburn, all before his freshman season begun. After a freshman year sharpening his skills and developing in the non-varsity ranks, Purcell continued to add offers, hearing from Jerry Kill at New Mexico State in November and Louisville and Kentucky in January, as well a regional Elite11 invite and playing in the highly-competitive Battle Miami 7v7 tourney in February. The spring was fruitful as well, hearing from Vanderbilt in late April, working out in front of Indiana Hoosiers QB coach and Co-OC Tino Sunseri and earning an offer around the same time. Miami (FL) joined in May, as well as Marshall and Bowling Green State, and Purcell also became a big-time Summer Camp SZN performer when he went down to Lincoln, Nebraska and earned an in-person offer from Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers. Washington, Syracuse, and Florida have also offered this June.   The 6'2, 185 lber. threw at a 60% completion clip for 1,387 yards and 15 TDs to only 4 INTs while adding 52 carries for 422 yards and 9 TDs in the non-varsity ranks of the Hawks, and despite not the tape not coming against varsity competition, you can absolutely see why he has so many offers at this point in time. Purcell is a lefty gunslinger who can push the rock downfield and throws with noticeable and impressive velocity and zip, especially to the first and second level of the field. He displays a quick release, a compact, clean throwing motion, and he sees the field well and is able to get through his reads and make good decisions with the football without forcing the ball into too many unnecessarily dangerous situations. Purcell does a good job of maneuvering around the pocket, keeping his eyes downfield, and using footwork and clean mechanics to throw with accuracy on the run and from irregular arm angles, and he's able to extend plays and scramble effectively when needed thanks to his athleticism. Speaking of, the 185 lber. shows some juice as a ball carrier and can generate some power and shake when he sticks his foot in the ground and cuts laterally and shows off some burst and speed at the top end for good measure. Maine South does return it's starter from last season who led them to a 10-2 overall record, a now-senior, so I'll be interested to see what happens in this potential QB race this upcoming month. Either way, Purcell was an easy choice for the #2 overall ranked 2027 prospect in Illinois right now, especially given how premium the QB position is relative to the game of football. Back-to-back QBs to kick off the 2027 rankings, folks!     Yet another P4 offeree, 6'4, 180 lb. signal-caller [player_tooltip player_id='611846' first='Israel' last='Abrams'] earned the coveted, vaunted in-person, live evaluation and offer after a visit to Ames, Iowa, where head coach Matt Campbell personally offered Abrams his first college football scholarship. The Cyclones are trusted and talented evaluators & developers, and it was validating to see the talent shown on film cemented with P4 money he'll be offered over the course of his recruitment. A transfer from Saint Viator, where he played JV last fall, Abrams was nothing short of prolific as a non-varsity quarterback. He's also an experienced and successful 7v7 and offseason performer who runs with the decorated Midwest BOOM, earning some All-Tournament nods during the Pylon7on7 circuit and winning a 15U Championship7v7 national championship this April with BOOM. Also competed at the UANext camp in May, and was a standout performer at a PrepRedzoneNEXT showcase camp while he was still in middle school.   With big-time size and a frame that could add significant weight and muscle as a teen, Abrams threw for an eye-popping 3,027 yards and 32 TDs to only 8 INTs in freshman/JV action and also added 247 rushing yards and 6 TDs on the ground for good measure. Off the bat, Abrams has a big-time arm that can stretch the field vertically and with accuracy and drop the ball into a bucket if necessary, and he is also able to fit the ball into smaller windows and throw to all three levels of the field with accuracy. Abrams owns a concise throwing motion, does a good job of getting the ball out of his hand quickly in his release, and keeps hit feet active and resetting before delivering a strike downfield. He can throw on the move, and that big frame helps him scramble, extend plays, and improvise with success, as he can work through tackle attempts thanks to his long legs and balance, but is a throw-first QB who is primarily using his arm to break down defenses. The combination of physical traits, COD ability, and athleticism were overwhelming for defenders when he took off and ran as well. The deep ball is particularly exciting, and Abrams is checking all of the boxes needed on early, potentially big-time, nationally-rated quarterbacks, the most analyzed, discussed, and overanalyzed positions in all of sports. Abrams clocks in as our #5 overall ranked Illinois 2027 and #3 quarterback.     The most dynamic, and arguably exciting, of the loaded, talent-rich, and still-growing Illinois 2027 QB position group, Southern Illinois' Althoff Catholic High School's [player_tooltip player_id='214234' first='Jayden' last='Ellington'] is dynamite with the ball in his hands. Owning a laser-verified 4.68 40, Ellington was a varsity starter all season for the Crusaders, finishing 2023 with a 71% completion percentage (101 for 142) for 1,584 yards and 17 TDs to 7 INTs, and he added 88 rushes for 582 yards and 7 more TDs while leading Althoff Catholic to a 10-2 record and a birth in the Illinois 1A class playoffs. Miami of Ohio reached out with his first college offer in early May, the first of eventually many, and Ellington is poised for a massive sophomore campaign, record and production-wise, as the Crusaders have one of the most top-heavy rosters talent-wise in the entire state.   Ellington owns splash-play burst and the top-end speed to finish big runs once he gets into space, lightning-quick feet, and sudden COD ability help him evade and break tackle attempts in the open field and find paydirt as a rusher. Real-deal threat as a ball carrier and a weapon that opposing DCs need to account for at all times. However, there's also real-deal arm talent as well, not to mention his mental processing, competitiveness, and talent between the ears. Ellington makes his reads, processes, and gets the ball out of his hands quickly, is naturally conscious and secure with the football, and doesn't force throws into unsafe situations. Shows good timing as well. The Belleville native is accurate, and can deliver the ball with impressive zip over the MOF and to the second and first level of the field, demonstrating good touch and ball placement ability when throwing vertically or on deeper out-breaking routes down the field. I also love how mobile he is behind the LOS and around the pocket. He can easily evade and outrun pursuing DEs and LBs - even if they have a good pursuit angle - and can extend plays as long as he'd like, not to mention there's the threat of an explosive rush if he decides to use his legs. Throws with accuracy on the move and off-platform as well. Ellington is, I'll say it again, dynamite. Fourth and final QB in the Top 10, as well as our #4 QB overall. Cannot wait to see the sophomore film as it comes.     Another must-know QB name with regional and potentially national implications and tidal waves, it's hard not to think Bloomington native and Central Catholic High School's budding 6'4, 190 lb. star of a QB [player_tooltip player_id='607399' first='Matthew' last='Brady'] isn't on the cusp of FBS and/or P4 attention. During the summer camp circuit, Brady's size seemed to catch the eye, and the arm talent kept it. Brady's arm pops, with a compact throwing motion, tight spiral, and a ton of natural zip on the ball, and he competed well at Ole Miss, Mizzou, Nebraska, Iowa State, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Illinois State camps in what was a whirlwind of a June for the sophomore gunslinger.   In non-varsity action last fall, Brady demonstrated that he will stand in the pocket and deliver balls downfield with accuracy through big hits and oncoming contact, has a big arm that can stretch the field vertically, and can throw with accuracy all around the field. His long legs and speed as a ball carrier help him turn the corner on defenders, and he displayed some quickness and suddenness with the ball in-hand, plus, he'll run behind his pads and run defenders over as well. Brady also shows some good reps as an OLB defeating blocks, pursuing and closing with pace, and tackling with physicality. I think this offseason has been a productive and potentially monstrous one for the Bloomington native, and we are going to see him reap the rewards once fall camp rolls around. Brady currently weighs in as our #17 overall prospect and #5 QB in the budding 2027 class. Keep an eye on this QB, folks.     Our 6th ranked QB and #44 overall Illinois 2027, 6', 165 lber. [player_tooltip player_id='432149' first='Ryder' last='Startz'] has a ton of juice in his arm and an impressive freshman tape to match, and he's coming out of a QB factory in Chicago Mount Carmel High School with one of the best QB coaches in Chicagoland with Head Coach Jordan Lynch. However, that also means that Startz is going to wait at least another season before he gets some serious varsity contributions, but I like his foundation of a skillset and arm talent going, and with the premium placed on the QB position, that means that he has absolutely already asserted himself as a name-to-know in the Illinois 2027 class of prospects.   Startz displays a strong arm that can put serious zip on throws all around the field, including on more challenging deep and out-breaking passes, and I was impressed by his ball placement ability on his fades and downfield throws. The 165 lber. can run the read-option and create splash plays with his legs, and is able to scramble, navigate around the pocket, and extend plays thanks to his mobility and athleticism. I also love his toughness - Startz delivered some big-time throws through huge hits in the pocket, which he willingly takes and eats, and finished those throws with accuracy and velocity. Another year of sharpening his skills in the competitive JV ranks of the CCL and Startz is going to be itching and ready for varsity action in 2025.     Another 2027 Southern Illinois gunslinger cementing himself on the PRzIL rankings big board, Triad High School and Troy, Illinois native [player_tooltip player_id='403899' first='Brody' last='Hasquin'] reported an FBS offer from Miami of Ohio in late May, right at the beginning of the Summer Camp SZN. Still working to confirm that offer 100%, but it's safe to say that the 6'2, 200 lber. is multi-dimensional, talented, and athletic. A multi-sport standout who also excels in baseball and will also line up at OLB, Hasquin led Triad's JV squad to a 6-2 record in 2023, throwing 14 TDs and rushing for 12 more, and on varsity he went 1-2 for 48 yards and a TD and also added 4 carries for 37 yards and a score. Not a lot of film available, so PRzIL is very interested to see some of Hasquin's sophomore tape as it begins to matriculate. Should be a big year for the sophomore.     Our final ranked quarterback in the PrepRedzoneIL 2027 rankings drop, 6'3, 180 lb QB [player_tooltip player_id='1195421' first='Jaylen' last='Maners'] is representing small town Fairfield Community High School and the talent-rich Southern Illinois area. Already an All-Conference pick on the gridiron and a center on the hardwood, Maners was a freshman starter in 2023 and displayed the ability to hit a variety of throws with accuracy and keep his offense's chains moving. He's a game-manager who is safe with the football, displays solid mechanics, and throws well on the move. Still a lot of unknowns here, but with the size, multi-sport background, and plethora of varsity experience, the future is bright for Maners and his potential college football recruitment.    Watchlist   [player_tooltip player_id='1120441' first='Anthony' last='Stone Jr']. (Rockford East) 5'9, 150 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='509808' first='Brady' last='Buenik'] (Libertyville) 6'3, 195 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1274180' first='Crew' last='Uebelhor'] (Barrington) 6', 150 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='613741' first='Dante' last='Colasante'] (Naperville North) 5'8, 140 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1244749' first='Eric' last='Couper'] (Notre Dame College Prep) 5'11, 160 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1120457' first='Isaac' last='Grzynkowicz'] (Dundee Crown) 5'9, 150 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1132657' first='Jackson' last='Grabinski'] (DePaul College Prep) 6', 190 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1335265' first='Jake' last='Nawrot'] (Hersey) 6'4, 180 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1326613' first='Jaleel' last='Smith'] (Plainfield South) 5'11, 170 lbs.   [player_tooltip player_id='475585' first='Nate' last='Lang'] (IC Catholic Prep) 6, 180 lbs.

The PrepRedzone Illinois Class of 2027 rankings are finally here! After a full year of gathering names, statistics, tape, and athletic numbers, we are live with a talent-rich Top 75 and a nearly 140-strong Big Board including the watchlist. It also includes 16 players with a FBS offer, a ton of varsity experience and starters, and specific to this feature, 8 talented quarterbacks making up the 75 strong 2027 rankings. This is absolutely the prime time position of the rising sophomores in the Land of Lincoln, and the position group you guys should most want to know about at this point in time, even above the loaded defensive and offensive line. 5 of the 8 already have a reported FBS offer, with 3 earning P4 offers, and there's a ton of talent on the watchlist as well. Take a look at the first positional breakdown of the PRzIL 2027 Rankings Drop. Dig in!