Top 2028 Prospects Competing at Stock Up Showcase: Illinois

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2028 class in Illinois continues to gain momentum, and the Stock Up Showcase provided an early proving ground for several high-upside underclassmen. These athletes stood out for a combination of physical tools, competitive edge, and flashes of varsity-level traits. Below is a closer look at the top 2028 prospects who competed at Stock Up Showcase: Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='974884' first='Gregory' last='Bess-Henning'] II — WR — Carmel Catholic — 6'3”</strong><br>Bess-Henning brings an impressive frame and natural receiving ability that immediately jumps off the page. At the showcase, he consistently showed comfort winning at the catch point, using his length to high-point the football and finish through contact. He tracks the deep ball well and has the physical makeup to develop into a boundary receiver who can stress defenses vertically and in contested situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1136696' first='Blayke' last='Lohmann'] — WR — Wheaton St. Francis — 6'1”</strong><br>Lohmann stood out with polish beyond his age, displaying clean route execution and dependable hands. He showed an understanding of spacing and timing, creating separation with sharp breaks rather than pure speed. Lohmann profiles as a dependable target who can move the chains and generate yards after the catch as his strength continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887187' first='Logan' last='Lennon'] — RB — Antioch Community — 6'1”</strong><br>Lennon ran with purpose throughout the showcase, showing decisive downhill ability and balance through contact. He hit holes quickly and consistently finished runs, making him difficult to bring down at the first level. His physical running style and frame give him clear upside as a feature back as his vision and explosiveness continue to evolve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687847' first='Jaylen' last='Newkirk'] — QB — Grayslake North — 6'1”</strong><br>Newkirk showed poise and confidence operating the offense, delivering the football with rhythm and anticipation. He displayed a smooth release and the ability to layer throws at the intermediate level. His composure and processing stood out for a quarterback in the 2028 class, giving him a strong foundation to build on as the game speeds up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150293' first='Cooper' last='Beaty'] — LB — Plano High School — 6'2”</strong><br>Beaty was one of the more physical defenders on the field, playing with aggression and urgency. He showed the ability to flow to the football, take on blocks, and finish tackles in space. His size and instincts project well to the next level, particularly as his coverage skills and lateral quickness continue to improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1565289' first='Tyler' last='VanderLaan'] — DB — Neuqua Valley — 5'11”</strong><br>VanderLaan displayed solid coverage awareness and competitiveness in the secondary. He stayed disciplined with his eyes, showed good recovery ability, and was reliable as a tackler in space. His versatility and football IQ give him value as a defensive back who can grow into multiple roles within a scheme.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611690' first='Ron' last='Smith Jr.'] — QB — Morgan Park — 6'0”</strong><br>Smith brought energy and leadership to the quarterback group, showing the ability to make throws under pressure and extend plays when needed. He delivered the ball with confidence and showed toughness standing in the pocket. His athleticism and competitive makeup give him upside as a dual-threat option as his mechanics and decision-making continue to sharpen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->