2026 Film Room: Athletes Pt 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The “Athlete” position in football is used for prospects who bring so much versatility and value at a number of positions that their exact projection for a position in college might not be set in stone, but they are legit prospects.&nbsp; Here we examine that group including two of the premier prospects in the class in <strong>2026 Film Room: Athletes Pt 1</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801887' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'] (Morgan Park – 6'1” 170)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rankin was at Whitney Young last season and has now transferred over to Morgan Park to close out his high school career the final two years.&nbsp; He was an absolute super star as a sophomore for the Dolphins on tape and we expect that to continue at Morgan Park.&nbsp; Offensively as a wide receiver he can take short passes and turn them into long scores.&nbsp; Has gadget ability on reverses and can even throw it out of that set.&nbsp; Makes guys miss in the open field with his explosive cutting ability.&nbsp; Makes acrobatic catches look fairly routine.&nbsp; Defensively he could be the best DB in the state regardless of class with the instincts that he shows cutting passes, recovering, and making plays on the ball.&nbsp; Turns picks into points and is an excellent tackler in run support.&nbsp; Also has some ability as a return man.&nbsp; For good measure he is a top 20 hoops recruit as well.&nbsp; What a star!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399916' first='Davon' last='Grant'] (Dekalb – 6'4”)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grant is an absolute freak show athlete.&nbsp; We knew that after seeing him in hoops, but he is like Calvin Johnson on both sides of the ball on the gridiron.&nbsp; First play of his tape he comes down and obliterates a poor wide out knocking his helmet off.&nbsp; As a WR he is so physically imposing at 6'4" with freakish athleticism and strength.&nbsp; Adjusts so well to the ball in the air on high point situations.&nbsp; Physical running after the catch and is like trying to bring down a tank!&nbsp; Strong hands catching passes.&nbsp; Crazy part is there is still some refinement in his game that can take him to an even higher level as a pass catcher.&nbsp; As a safety he is an eraser with his hitting and ball skills on the back end erasing plays with ease!&nbsp; Has some Sean Taylor tendencies on that side!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212321' first='Tanner' last='Glock'] (Wheaton St. Francis – 6'0” 180)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glock lines up all over the field taking snaps at WR, TE, LB, CB, and S.&nbsp; On the offensive side as a wide out he is an explosive threat that breaks away with speed in the open field.&nbsp; Loves the bubble screen getting YAC.&nbsp; Tracks the ball well downfield on passes.&nbsp; Good blocker with some toughness when at tight end.&nbsp; On the defensive size he is a physical tackler that can cover alot of ground no matter where he is playing on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edward McClain (Nazareth Academy – 5'7” 170)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mcclain is a 5'7" 170 pound athlete that excels at both safety and running back.&nbsp; On the offensive side he runs low to the ground, has good vision, and explosive speed with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; Shifty in the hole.&nbsp; Defensively he has excellent range breaking up passes in space and covers alot of ground. Also brings some value in the return game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399953' first='Luke' last='Karras'] (Casey Westfield – 6'3” 205)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Karras lines up all over the field, but his primary spots are running back and linebacker.&nbsp; Both sides he plays with physicality and gets downhill.&nbsp; As a back he runs with strength and follows blocks.&nbsp; Defensively bursts through the hole to make plays against the run. Diagnoses plays well and sheds blocks to get to the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401623' first='Matthew' last='Plumb'] (St. Charles North – 6'4” 215)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plumb has protype size at 6'4" 215 pounds at QB.&nbsp; Good accuracy on short routes and has solid ball placement.&nbsp; Solid arm, but not exceptional velo.&nbsp; Also plays linebacker and might end up projecting better there.&nbsp; Runs to the ball, powerful tackler, and diagnoses plays quickly.&nbsp; Stuffs well in the run game as a middle linebacker.<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801710' first='X'Zavion' last='Montgomery'] (Warren – 5'8” 160)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 5'8" athlete is super explosive in all three areas of the game.&nbsp; Starts with what he does as a punt and kick returner taking it to the house with consistency.&nbsp; Vision and speed as a return man.&nbsp; Offensively he is a slot wide out that blows past defenders with his speed on deep balls.&nbsp; Shows alot of promise at corner with his instincts making plays on the ball.&nbsp; Changes directions quickly and is good in press coverage.&nbsp; Tackles with physicality for his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399985' first='Kirby' last='Christensen'] (Wheaton Warrenville South – 6'2” 200)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Wheaton Warrenville South 2026 is a true two way threat.&nbsp; As a tight end on the offensive side of the ball he makes contested catches in jump ball situations.&nbsp; Also shows he can be a deep threat on occasion with his ability to get downfield.&nbsp; Smooth coming off the line out of his stance.&nbsp; Defensively he is an outside linebacker that is good in pass coverage getting several picks.&nbsp; Fluid athlete that moves well in space.&nbsp; Gets off blocks and pursues the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401607' first='Hunter' last='Niklos'] (Parkview Christian – 6'1” 170)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Niklos is a wide receiver and corner.&nbsp; On the offensive side he has good hands and works well over the middle finding holes in the defense.&nbsp; Defensively he has the ability to recover and still make plays on the ball and is a solid tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->