2025 Recruiting Notebook: Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we are nearing toward the end of the regular season Prep Redzone Illinois caught up with a ton of ranked senior prospects to get the latest on their recruitments.&nbsp; That includes here in <strong>2025 Recruiting Notebook: Defense</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='831091' first='Drake' last='Mosley'] (Belleville Althoff)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #34<br>Position Ranking: #7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mosley is a big and physical linebacker that is a thumper in the run game.&nbsp; McKendree is heavily involved with him and has offered.&nbsp; He doesn't have a timeline yet and is waiting to see if any other schools offer or would take him as a preferred walk on.&nbsp; The fact he does not have a group of 5 offer is absolutely absurd!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='830849' first='James' last='Kingsbury'] (St. Rita)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #40<br>Position Ranking: #9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kingbsbury tells us that he has been in communication with Ohio, Colgate, Ave Maria, North Dakota, Winona State, and Upper Iowa the most.&nbsp; Winona State is only offer.&nbsp; Will probably wait until the second signing period to make a call.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1292062' first='Micah' last='McNair'] (Joliet West)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #49<br>Position Ranking: #11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNair is a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.&nbsp; He tells us that Indiana State, Western Illinois, and Central Michigan have all offered.&nbsp; No official visits yet, but he has one set up with Indiana State.&nbsp; Would like to decide by the end of the season and sign early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1292091' first='Reginald' last='Milligan'] (Kenwood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #73<br>Position Ranking: #19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milligan is a big time edge rusher with pop off the line of scrimmage.&nbsp; He has been talking to Illinois State, Eastern Illinois, North Dakota, Western Illinois, Western Michigan, and Drake.&nbsp; He will make a call in December or January.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='830847' first='Gavin' last='Wade'] (Naperville Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #81<br>Position Ranking: #14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pair of Wisconsin schools are most involved with Wade at this point in UW-Whitewater and UW-Platteville who have both offered.&nbsp; No decision will be made until after the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1292104' first='Cooper' last='Zimmer'] (Belleville Althoff)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #99<br>Position Ranking: #15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zimmer has really impressed us with his high-motor and is a tackling machine!&nbsp; On the recruiting front he says Lincoln, McKendree, UW-Platteville, Missouri S&amp;T, Butler, and Missouri Western are most involved.&nbsp; He doesn't have any officials in the books or scheduled, but plans on getting to Lincoln and Missouri S&amp;T.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='831097' first='Luke' last='Melendez'] (Ridgewood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #113<br>Position Ranking: #8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Melendez has had some big games this season and is garnering interest from UW-Whitewater, Western Illinois, and UW-Oshkosh.&nbsp; He has taken visits to all three of them.&nbsp; No timeline for a decision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1292199' first='Jordan' last='McKie'] (Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall Ranking: #182<br>Position Ranking: #31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We got to see McKie recently in person and came away impressed with his instincts, toughness, and upside as a corner at the next level.&nbsp; Going to move up the board in our final update.&nbsp; He tells us that Marshall, Kent State, St. Thomas, and Southern Illinois are involved with offers coming from Kent State and Marshall.&nbsp; Looking to set up a visit to Marshall soon and he plans on signing during the early period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->