2026 Film Room: Northern Suburbs Wide Receivers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2026 in the state of Illinois is deep with talent at the wide receiver position!&nbsp; Ton of scholarship level prospects from power 4 to FCS.&nbsp; We dive into the class here in <strong>2026 Film Room: Northern Suburbs Wide Receivers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283926' first='Kai' last='Owens'] (Carmel – 6'2” 170)<br></strong><br>Owens is a 6'2" super fluid wide out that has long strides.&nbsp; Smooth hips getting in and out his cuts with ease.&nbsp; Crisp route runner that is very good on deep routes for long bombs, but is equally as effective on outs and short catches.&nbsp; Transitions so well from catch to run.&nbsp; Ball is caught softly in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537214' first='Blaise' last='Lavista'] (Libertyville – 6'3” 185)<br></strong><br>Lavista is a big wide out at 6'3" 185 that can be a threat at all three levels as a route runner.  Runs with physicality when the ball is in his hands.  As you would expect he is good at high pointing passes an boxing out smaller DBs.  Brings suddenness on routes and gets off the line well.  Goes over the middle and is willing to take a hit.  Catches well in traffic and finds space when his QB scrambles.  Can also line up as an H-Back at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399974' first='Jordan' last='Bostick'] (Palatine)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bostick as a sophomore had 59 catches for 1,065 yards, and 18 touchdowns.&nbsp; Really fun tape to watch.&nbsp; Gets in and out of his cuts very quickly.&nbsp; Burst with the ball after the catch and is a legit deep ball threat that can adjust to the ball in the air.&nbsp; Blows past DBs with his pseed as a deep threat.&nbsp; Solid route runner that makes guys miss in the open floor running around defenders like they aren't even moving.&nbsp; Smooth and fluid wide out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rico D'Alessandro (Maine South – 6'4” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D'Alessandro transferred over from Whitney Young to Maine South.&nbsp; He is a big wide out at 6'4" with a strong frame.&nbsp; Boxes out the defensive back on catches and is a bully with the ball after the catch.&nbsp; More of a possession guy at this stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1400848' first='Nathan' last='Cichy'] (Prospect – 6'1” 185)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prospect 6'1" wide reciever is coming off a 30+ catch season as a sophomore.&nbsp; Crisp route runner that gets in and out of breaks with precision. Likes comeback routes along with bubble screens. Gets leverage on DB.&nbsp; Willing to go over the middle.&nbsp; Finds soft spots in defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801883' first='Connor' last='Wade'] (Huntley – 5'10” 145)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wade is a slot receiver that has suddenness to his routes.&nbsp; Good going over the middle with his strong hands.&nbsp; Can be used as a move guy lining up in the h-back spot and also used as a gadget guy running along with even passing some.&nbsp; Right now more of a possession guy that is tough going over the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1400870' first='Bradley' last='Dahl'] (North Boone – 6'4” 215)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dahl is a big bodied wide out at 6'4" that wins jump balls in the redzone and is good on go routes.&nbsp; Physical after the catch with the ball in his hands and has strong hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='814083' first='Carmine' last='Ziga'] (Maine South – 5'11” 155)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ziga is a 5'11" pass catcher that showed signs of being a vertical threat who can make contested catches.&nbsp; Has speed with the ball in his hands and is good on reverses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->