Mid-Season Monsters: Two Way Stars

We are now at the half way mark of the regular season in the state of Illinois.  Time to look at some of the prospects that are shining as we reviewed their mid-season film in Mid-Season Monsters: Two Way Standouts!   DL/OL [player_tooltip player_id='1585332' first='Ian' last='Sims'] (Evanston – 2026)   This 5'11” 255 defensive tackle stuffs vs the run. Like how he takes up blocks and can get off them to make the tackle.  Quick use of his hands and can also bull rush the center back into the QB.  Uses his wide base and wrestling background on the offensive line at right guard getting his opponent on the ground.  The athleticism plays on that side as well.   CB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='1292847' first='Yusuf' last='Saleh'] (Argo – 2025)   Saleh stands at 6'1” 175 pounds with good length.  He comes up in run support and is fluid in pass coverage along with tracking the ball well in the air.  On the offensive side of the ball he is quick getting in and out of cuts.  Solid blocker.   LB/RB [player_tooltip player_id='1335354' first='Ameer' last='Beg'] (Argo – 2027)   Beg is a 5'11” 175 two way player.  At linebacker he plays solid angles, reads the play well, and wraps up vs larger opponents.  As a running back he follows his blockers and has a nose for the endzone.   RB/DB Anthony Loughran (Shepard – 2025)   The 5'11” 205 pound running back is off to fantastic start this season.  Through the first three games he had 26 carries for 223 yards (8.6 YPC) and 3 touchdowns.  On the defensive side he had 18 tackles, 1 interception, and 3 pass breakups.  In their fourth game he led his team with 20 carries for 160 yards and 2 more scores.   TE/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1292270' first='Wehbe' last='Elie Wehbe'] (Glenbrook South – 2025)   He is impactful on both sides of the ball.  In line tight end that can stretch the defense getting downfield.  Can take a short pass and run with power downfield.  Solid blocker as well.  As linebacker he has good size, burst, and speed to the ball.  Relentless pursuit from this linebacker that chases down playmakers.  Hits with POWER!   DB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='1585119' first='Nick' last='Hankins'] (Belleville West – 2026)   Hankins caught our eye over the summer on the hardwood and is having a big junior season on the gridiron as well.  The cornerback is a plus athlete that had a pick 6 against Mascoutah coming off his man to make the interception then housed it 60 yards the other way.  His reaction time is impressive.  On the offensive side as a wide receiver he is so fast that every time he touches it has touchdown potential.  Major YAC threat!   LB/RB Jeffrey James (Zion Benton – 2025)   The Zion Benton 6'0” 205 pound senior through the first half of the season on the defensive side has 47 tackles, 12 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 PBU, 10 QB pressures and 2 fumble recoveries.  On the ground he has 157 yards and 1 touchdown.  Physical tackler and pass rusher on the edge. Great pursuit to the ball.  On the offensive side he runs with nice combination of power, strength, and speed.    DB/WR/KR Will Diedrich (Nashville – 2025)   Diedrich contributes in all three phases for the Hornets.  Solid punt returner.  As a corner he has quick reactions to the ball, tracks it well in the air, and has instincts to make plays.  Possession wide receiver out of the slot that is a gritty blocker.   WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1585257' first='Jordan' last='Horton'] (Bloomington – 2026)   Horton is a 5'10” 155 pound athlete that impacts as both a wide receiver and corner.  As a wide out he is a major downfield threat with the way he can stretch a defense easing past defenders as a smooth route runner.  High points the ball in the air and can run it in from very deep.  Might even have more potential as a corner getting couple picks with one coming in press coverage at the goal line and the other recovering on a deep ball leaping saving a touchdown.   DL/OL Aidan Nuno (Burlington Central – 2026)   Physically built defensive end that has a nasty bull rush pushing the tackle right into the lap of the QB.  Also plays guard where he pancakes opponents with regularity.  The power, athleticism, and heavy hands really stand out on both sides of the ball.  In weeks three and four he had 5 tackles, 2 TFL, and 4 QB pressures.   RB/DB/KR Alex Hernandez (Rockford Boylan – 2026)   Hernandez stands at 5'11” 180 pounds.  He is shifty with the ball in his hands on runs and slippery through traffic downfield.  Showed he can catch passes out of the slot and also return kicks including housing one for a touchdown.  On the defensive side he is a slot corner that flies to the ball and tackles pretty well.   LB/RB [player_tooltip player_id='833298' first='Zach' last='Samaan'] (Burlington Central – 2025)   Big week 4 performance from this Burlington Central linebacker leading his team to a 49-0 win.  He scored a pair of touchdowns and had an interception covering deep across the middle.  Runs sideline to sideline.  Physical running back that is a major goal line threat.   LB/DB/QB [player_tooltip player_id='831095' first='Nathan' last='Cleveland'] (Hoffman Estates – 2025)   Cleveland stands at 6'3” and 220 pounds.  Offensively he lines up at QB where he shows off his athleticism running and moving in the pocket.  Solid arm strength.  Probably projects best on the defensive side with the way he runs and athleticism he brings.  Linebacker/safety that makes plays flying to the ball.    LB/TE [player_tooltip player_id='1399985' first='Kirby' last='Christensen'] (Wheaton Warrenville South – 2026)   Christensen is a physically built linebacker that shows good athleticism.  Changes directions well and runs to the ball with fluidity along with closing speed.  Hits very hard on tackles.  As a tight end he shows solid route running, good hands, and a willingness to go over the middle.   DB/RB [player_tooltip player_id='537257' first='Maksym' last='Makota'] (Maine West – 2025)   Makota has had a big start to his senior campaign racking up 30 tackles, 3 PBU, and 2 TFL on the defensive side.  Offensively as a running back he has recorded 8 TDs already!  As a back he is quick in the hole and effective scoring around the goal line.  Defensively he is an in the box safety that pursues with closing speed and excels in run support.   K Sam Tafoya (Woodstock – 2025)   Tafoya has knocked in field goals from 32 yards, 36 yards, and a 25 yard game winner through the first four weeks.  Also shows good leg strength on kick offs.   K/P Connor Wilson (Bishop McNamara – 2025)   Strong leg shown from this senior specialist both on extra points and in the punting game!   KR Kendan Ratini (Lake Park – 2026)   Ratini sliced up the kick coverage recently on a 90 yard kick return.  Showed vision and burst when he had to breakaway from defenders.

We are now at the half way mark of the regular season in the state of Illinois. Time to look at some of the prospects that are shining as we reviewed their mid-season film in Mid-Season Monsters: Two Way Standouts!