Mid-Season Offensive Prospects Pop on Tape

Time to dive into some more mid-season film as we look at offensive players who caught our attention!   QB Grant Tustin (Lincoln Way West – 2026)   Tustin is a big 6'5” and 210 pound quarterback that has a rocket arm.  Lets it rip on intermediate routes.  Has some scrambling ability.  Good pocket presence making crisp throws inside the pocket.  Like his play action ball manipulation before turning around and throwing a bullet downfield.  Definitely some intriguing tools to work with here!   QB [player_tooltip player_id='1670154' first='Cole' last='Latimer'] (Dekalb – 2026)   Latimer throws well on the run throwing downfield.  Good athlete that can run with the ball where he is powerful with it in his hands.  The deep arm strength is his best asset.  Does have some touch on shorter passes showing good accuracy.   QB [player_tooltip player_id='1902585' first='Von' last='Konrad'] (Whitney Young – 2026)   Konrad has had a productive senior season led his team to a 6-1 record while throwing for 1,200 yards and 19 touchdowns.    RB Zi'yir Aker (Champaign Central – 2027)   The running back has 976 total yards and 13 touchdowns on the offensive side.  Defensively he also brings value recording 41 tackles.  The 5'9” back can catch the ball out of the backfield and do damage with it in the open field bouncing off defenders and making them miss.  As a runner he has smooth acceleration not losing speed when making cuts.  Weaves through the second and third level defenders.   WR [player_tooltip player_id='212322' first='Zachary' last='Washington'] (Wheaton St. Francis – 2026)   The Michigan State commit is one of the best wide out prospects in the state.  Through seven weeks he has 32 catches with 780 all purpose yards and 5 touchdowns.  Explosive athlete that shows it off as a vertical downfield threat along with in the kick return game where he is a game changer.  Clean route runner that creates separation and adjusts to the ball in the air.  Snatches the ball out of the air on intermediate routes and slants.  Ton of juice with the ball after the catch in the open field.  Smooth acceleration down the field past the defensive back.  Has a chance to be a #1 option in the Big 10.   WR Jack Zitko (Naperville North – 2027)   Through the first half of the season Zitko has 520 all purpose yards and four touchdowns.  Vertical threat that makes plays over the middle down the field.  Sneaky route runner.  Impact kick returner!   WR [player_tooltip player_id='292900' first='Jeremiah' last='Jenkins'] (Bolingbrook – 2026)   Quick wide receiver that has shake getting off the line.  Plus athlete who can go up and get it in the air.  Makes acrobatic catches on the regular.  Smooth and easy speed.  Turns up the throttle once he has it in the open field.    WR [player_tooltip player_id='1644750' first='Kyiron' last='Woodard'] (Peoria – 2027)   The junior 5'8” wide receiver that is slippery with the ball in his hands.  He has the speed to run away from defenders in the open field.  Shakes opponents out of their shoes in the open field.  Impact kick returner as well.   WR [player_tooltip player_id='1400854' first='Dario' last='Milivojevic'] (Wheaton St. Francis – 2026)   The productive St. Francis receiver has 27 grabs for 604 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Monster first half to the season.   WR Devin Gerdes (Prospect – 2026)   Vertical threat catching passes for touchdowns on long plays.  Sets up his defensive back and gets by him and in the open field for catches downfield.  Gerdes has racked up quite a few scores in the first half of the season.  Blocked a punt and contributes as a return man.  Also covers kicks.  On shorter routes he finds weaknesses in the defense.  Also like how he is an effective gadget player.  Sure hands!   WR Kamani Sapara (Richards – 2026)   Sapara is a running back that has racked up 630 receiving yards along with 11 touchdowns so far on 32 catches as a senior.   TE [player_tooltip player_id='1748003' first='Brady' last='Johnson'] (Glenbard West – 2027)   Johnson is a 6'3” 220 pound tight end.  Strong frame lining up both at the end of the line of scrimmage along with outside.  Sneaky route runner that finds space to get open.  Crisp route runner that gets in and out of breaks.  Strong runner with the ball in his hands.  Physical blocker that moves bodies in the run game and is technically sound.    TE [player_tooltip player_id='801709' first='Colin' last='Ford'] (Waubonsie Valley – 2026)   The 6'5” 220 pound senior tight end has 7 grabs for 183 yards and 6 touchdowns in the last two weeks.  Vertical threat that adjusts well to the ball downfield.  Physical runner with the ball in his hands.  Can also line up as a wildcat QB for scores.  Like his ability to run routes over the heart of the defense in the middle making tough catches.  Solid blocker.   ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1866250' first='Alex' last='Soto'] (Oak Lawn – 2026)   The Oak Lawn versatile athlete has 9 touchdowns on 1,133 all purpose yards through seven weeks.  Good speed after the catch as a slot wide receiver.  He can also run the ball as a side back that burst through the hole for long gains.  He has home run ability every time he touches the ball.  Impacts in the return game as well with his vision and breakaway explosiveness.  I think he projects best as a slot receiver that can be used as a gadget guy and in the return game.   ATH Lucas Andresen (Lincoln Way Central – 2026)   The physical athlete has 36 carries for 465 yards along with 19 grabs for 363 yards.  He has totaled up 11 touchdowns through first 7 weeks.   ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1455358' first='Caleb' last='Wallace'] (Bolingbrook – 2027)   Wallace has juice with the ball in his hands whether it is as a wide receiver, runner, or as an impact return man.  He has 863 all purpose yards including 7 touchdowns.   ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1866078' first='Vernon' last='Cole'] (Lane Tech – 2026)   Cole is putting up big numbers this season s he has racked up 70 carries for 904 yards and 10 total touchdowns.   OL [player_tooltip player_id='901504' first='Carlos' last='Rios'] (DePaul Prep – 2027)   This 6'6” 290 pound right tackle is one of the best offensive lineman in the junior class.  Massive lineman that has mobility, athleticism, tenacity, and technique.  Like how he can get to the second level blocking in the run game.  Elite footwork as a pass protector mirroring and keeping defenders out of his body with his long arms.    OL Jaquarius Green (Peoria – 2026)   Green is a massive lineman that contributes on both sides of the ball.  As a defensive tackle he is a big run stuffing nose guard that picked up a fumble and rumbled into the endzone for a touchdown.  Getting in the backfield making stops.  On the offensive side the guard is light on his feet and hits with power.   One of the best pulling guards in the class.   OL Caleb Crosby (Bolingbrook – 2027)   The Raiders center is tough at the point of attack.  He turns defensive tackles making holes for backs to run through.  Physical at the line.   OL Costa Kampas (York – 2026)   The 6'5” 275 pound offensive lineman is a big body that plays with a strong base and mean streak.  Puts dudes on the ground with his physicality and strong hands.  Moves well in space pulling and getting up on the second level.    K/P Evan Kolinski (Wheaton St. Francis – 2027)   Explosive leg that likes to roll out to the right and pin defenders inside the 10 yard line with his punt game.

Time to dive into some more mid-season film as we look at offensive players who caught our attention!