Final 2025 Rankings: Offensive Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone release our final edition of the 2025 rankings.&nbsp; These are just a few of the top stock risers on the offensive side of the ball in the Illinois 2025 Rankings!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1292101' first='Kaveon' last='Lee'] (Plainfield Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lee's senior tape really popped!&nbsp; He is 6'6” with a big frame while being a plus athlete.&nbsp; Light on his feet.&nbsp; Good use of power with the mobility and strength to drive defenders to the second level. Mirrors and uses his length in pass pro.&nbsp; Has all the tools you look for in a young emerging tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='299479' first='Brennan' last='Saxe'] (Fremd)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The recent Northwestern commit had one of the best seasons of any wide receiver in the state.&nbsp; He is big, athletic, and runs great routes.&nbsp; Scored a ton of long touchdowns and is a great late get for the Wildcats!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1292076' first='Ryan' last='Fitzgerald'] (Loyola)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't care if he is technically a “walk on” commit.&nbsp; He is probably better than any QB on the Hawkeyes roster and Fitzgerald has the ability to be a starter for the Hawkeyes in a few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='830851' first='Colton' last='Gumino'] (Hersey)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The UCLA commit posted big numbers as a senior.&nbsp; Gunslinger will be enrolling early for the Bruins in January.&nbsp; Good size and zip on his passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TE [player_tooltip player_id='1292241' first='Grant' last='Smith'] (Maroa Forsyth)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illini commit had a breakout senior season.&nbsp; Big and physical frame at 6'5” 220 pounds.&nbsp; He is excellent at winning jump balls as he high points them in the air over smaller defenders.&nbsp; Physical running with the ball after the catch along with solid speed.&nbsp; Like how he can line up all over the field from the perimeter, to in line, to as an H-back.&nbsp; Solid blocker that is definitely willing to help out there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='201957' first='Marcus' last='Thaxton'] (Morgan Park)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thaxton is one of the more under appreciated signal callers in the class.&nbsp; He has a super strong arm and can layer his throws with touch.&nbsp; The Morgan Park quarterback is among the best signal callers in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='831102' first='Kendrick' last='Lyons'] (East St. Louis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Massive rise for Lyons in the rankings moving up 200 spots.&nbsp; After a year as the quarterback at East St. Louis he has more than proven to be among the best at his position in the state.&nbsp; Big and physical frame with a strong and accurate arm along with the ability to run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id='831094' first='Drew' last='MacPherson'] (Loyola)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MacPherson had a big senior year for Loyola.&nbsp; He is a versatile offensive weapon that can beat a defense in a ton of ways.&nbsp; Committed to Iowa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL [player_tooltip player_id='831090' first='Parker' last='Brault'] (Palatine)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brault is perhaps the best pure center in the class.&nbsp; He is physical at the point of attack while playing with a nasty streak.&nbsp; Technically sound pivot man that has good raw strength moving interior defensive lineman off the ball while also having the nimbleness to get to the second level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id='330443' first='Trey' last='Peters'] (Mahomet-Seymour)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good sized pass catcher that has long strides and can high point passes in the air.&nbsp; Snatches the ball well with his hands.&nbsp; Solid YAC threat.&nbsp; The Illini commit also does a nice job of finding weaknesses in the defense and setting down to give his QB as spot to throw.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OL [player_tooltip player_id='1292099' first='Samuel' last='Paich'] (Glenbrook North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong and physical tackle that can play multiple positions on the line.&nbsp; He drives very well playing low to the ground and driving opponents back in the run game.&nbsp; Played left tackle in high school, but could see him kicking to the right side or even guard.&nbsp; Brings versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id='819695' first='Zion' last='Gist'] (Lincoln Way East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gist is one of the best running backs in the class.&nbsp; He is a home run threat each time he touches the ball.&nbsp; Electric runner that is quick and aggressive with his cuts and has speed in the open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id='359605' first='Dyllan' last='Malone'] (Yorkville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Iowa State commit is a fluid route runner that gets in and out of his cuts well.&nbsp; Can run a variety of routes including going over the middle and being a threat moving the chains.&nbsp; Smooth playmaker that had a big senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TE [player_tooltip player_id='1292142' first='Noah' last='LaPorte'] (Princeton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Northwestern tight end commit has soft hands, is physical after the catch taking on tacklers, and has good speed in the open floor.&nbsp; Redzone threat being able to high-point in traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1292229' first='Luke' last='Olson'] (Niles Notre Dame)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Olson is a deep ball threat who can adjust well to it in the air.&nbsp; Solid hands.&nbsp; Long and lanky frame.&nbsp; Capable blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->