Underclassmen Who Made Names at State Championships

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we look forward to our next rankings updates after the conclusion of the state championship game we wanted to highlight some of the prospects in the 2028 and 2029 classes that impressed in the 5A – 8A State Championship Games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='992492' first='Dominic' last='Vita'] (Providence Catholic – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vita has excellent size at 6'4” 185 pounds.&nbsp; The Providence Catholic signal caller is a good athlete that can run with the ball when needed especially around the goal line and scrambling extending plays.&nbsp; Nice arm strength and timing.&nbsp; Plays with a lot of confidence for a young quarterback.&nbsp; Makes good decisions with the ball in and out of the pocket.&nbsp; Showed he could push it vertically downfield on a couple of throws to Coleman.&nbsp; Final stat line ws 7/11 with 137 yards and 1 TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1659180' first='Marshaun' last='Thornton'] (Mt. Carmel – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wasn't a huge night for Thornton as he only had 2 grabs for 14 yards, but the top receiver in the 2028 class did high point a fade pass in the endzone snatching it with his strong hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TE/OL [player_tooltip player_id='1682045' first='Ben' last='Coleman'] (Providence Catholic – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Coleman technically played tight end for Providence Catholic we believe he will project long term as an offensive tackle.&nbsp; He was essentially playing a jacked up sixth offensive lineman/lead blocker in Providence Catholic's game.&nbsp; Love the size at 6'4” 240 pounds with a frame to continue to add strength.&nbsp; Drives with his legs, pulls well, and has the mobility to move bodies on the second level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1052814' first='Kameron' last='McGee'] (Brother Rice – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGee looked like not only the best player in Illinois, but maybe the entire country in the 7A title game.&nbsp; He was wrecking havoc right from the very beginning of the contest.&nbsp; At 6'3” and 240 pounds with his length and speed he is the ideal edge rusher at the next level.&nbsp; Combine that with his explosion off the edge and a plethora of pass rushing moves he is impossible to contain.&nbsp; Up and over moves and excellent use of his hands.&nbsp; He had one sack where he ran down the QB for a 22 yard loss.&nbsp; Final stats were 6 tackles, 4 TFL, and 2 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1682021' first='Caleb' last='Tucker'] (Mt. Carmel – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big bodied elite defensive tackle from Mt. Carmel was consistently getting double teamed the entire night of the 8A championship.&nbsp; Did still manage to make some plays including a sack on third down, stuffing runs inside, and batted down a pass in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1682055' first='Jhalen' last='Clanton'] (St. Rita – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clanton is a 6'2” 225 pound defensive end that is intriguing.&nbsp; He was stout against the run with his strength and made plays in the backfield.&nbsp; He had a big TFL chasing down the runner on 3^rd down.&nbsp; He had 3 tackles with two being behind the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Jack Schapendonk (St. Rita – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'2” and 200 pounds this linebacker from St. Rita was the leading tackler in the game by quite a bit for the Mustangs against Brother Rice.&nbsp; Stocky linebacker has solid speed and takes good angles when pursuing.&nbsp; He had 12 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 QB hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Omari Hogan (East St. Louis – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hogan had a strong title game as the Flyers 6'0” 160 pound sophomore linebacker can really run.&nbsp; Most impressive play was probably when he tracked down a backside pressure knocking the ball out.&nbsp; Also made plays in the backfield getting after the QB and backs.&nbsp; He had 5 tackles, 1 sack, and 1.5 TFLs in addition to the forced fumble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1682047' first='Anthony' last='Carter'] (Providence Catholic – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter is a 6'2” 175 pound corner that has the physical and athletic tools you are looking for.&nbsp; Tackles well in space and plays physical.&nbsp; Washington got the best of him a couple times for St. Francis, but we liked the competitiveness and how he never backed down.&nbsp; He had 5 tackles in the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Jaxon Hutton (Providence Catholic – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hutton caught our attention early in the 5A state championship game.&nbsp; The 6'0” 210 pound defensive lineman chased down a quarterback running downfield from behind.&nbsp; Lines up mostly at defensive tackle where he displayed quickness off the snap and the ability to get up field as a pass rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL AJ Redmon (Wheaton St. Francis – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When a 6'4” 295 pound defensive tackle is out there you are going to notice.&nbsp; When you look at the roster and it says freshman that means long term upside!&nbsp; Redmon is a long term play as the big bodied defensive tackle has the frame to work with as an interior run stuffer as he had a couple tackles in the game where he would take on the block and then make the tackle.&nbsp; Definitely room to continue to improve, but he is only a freshman and the physical profile jumps off the page.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->