Chicagoland Playmakers That Popped - Who To Watch In 2026

Several young prospects made their mark live under these Friday Night Lights during travels last Fall. Here's a few to monitor throughout the offseason.    Saw [player_tooltip player_id='2104986' first='Darin' last='Graham'] live on the hoof versus Saint Rita and his frame and natural athletic traits were impressive. Graham has great length and looked to be the quickest and twitchiest of a crowded Division I caliber defensive line for Mount Carmel. Suitors have begun to come in with offers for Graham this offseason. As he progresses through the various visits, events and camps he attends, that list of schools vying for his commitment will grow rapidly. Graham has a chance to explode as a senior after popping during the 2025 season.     Pierre Ray is an impact player at a young age for one of the top programs in Illinois. Excellent length and frame at this stage, with tons of room for growth and development physically. Grew at least an inch and added 15 good pounds heading into the season. Smooth, quick, and twitched up. Two sport athlete with a track and field background, ran a 100m PR 11.84 as a freshman in Spring 2025. Saw live this past fall and observed a ball hawk type player that stepped up in a high leverage rivalry game, creating turnovers and big plays on defense. Smart player at single high, solid cover skills, big upside.     Saw [player_tooltip player_id='1571517' first='Kam'ron' last='Norwood'] live on multiple occasions. Explosiveness and quickness creates LOS and backfield disruption. Has a linebacker body type and room to pack on size. Lines up at EDGE out of 2 and 3 point stance. Has flexed inside and rushed from the interior. Twitched up and loose in the hips. Changes direction very well and makes plays with multidirectional burst. Out-athletes comp often while also playing bigger and more physical than listed size. Delivers high levels of motor and effort. Closes on the ball with good juice. Also plays special teams. Built with athletic ability to play at the FBS level. High ceiling/potential type prospect highly regarded for his character and work ethic.     [player_tooltip player_id='1371805' first='Tivias' last='Caldwell'] is a two way player at RB and LB and popped as a ball carrier in 2025. Was in attendance for one of his five highly productive performances last fall. Made his mark on the game early and set the tone with an explosive run first play from scrimmage to the house from 68 yards out. Displayed some short area burst and quickness throughout the game. Caldwell has a compact build with good muscle mass. He has the opportunity this offseason to build off a breakout state championship year through the camp and combine circuit.     [player_tooltip player_id='1718703' first='TJ' last='Bond'] is a young two sport playmaker on the football field and the baseball diamond. This prospect possesses good early size and room to really fill out his frame. At the attended contest, Bond played both ways and popped as a receiver. He finished with three receptions, two of which went for scores. Bond flashed the ability to beat the coverage angle to the corner and outrun the defense to the endzone. He's unafraid to go over the middle into traffic. A sharp route runner, Bond should be one to watch develop, and has breakout potential in 2026.

Several young prospects made their mark live under these Friday Night Lights during travels last Fall. Here's a few to monitor throughout the offseason.