Illinois High School Spring Showcase: Top Offensive Skill Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Illinois was at Collinsville High School for the Illinois High School Spring Showcase featuring prospects from the metro east and southern Illinois.&nbsp; It was a great event with a ton of college level prospects putting their skills on display in front of college coaches.&nbsp; Here is a look at the <strong>Top Offensive Skill Prospects</strong> at the event!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Running Backs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1905312' first='Xavier' last='Owusu-Gyan'] (Olney - 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Olney 5'11” 190 pound back recently moved into our rankings and the 2028 back showed why.&nbsp; Thicker in the lower half with excellent change of direction and quick feet.&nbsp; Powerful runner who runs low to the ground and cuts on a dime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105092' first='Dewonde' last='Taylor'] (Belleville West – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor goes 5'8” and 190 pounds as he impressed as a junior last year.&nbsp; Smaller back with power that runs low to the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1870253' first='Sean' last='Murphy'] (Mascoutah – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This productive back from Mascoutah is a bit smaller at 5'7” 175 pounds.&nbsp; The name of his game is speed along with making quick cuts.&nbsp; Good ball security even in drills and we like the developmental upside in the pass game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wide Receivers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104989' first='CJ' last='Willis'] (Belleville East – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Willis was the most impressive 2027 pass catcher at the event.&nbsp; The 5'10” 170 pound athlete is coming off a big season for the Lancers on both sides of the ball.&nbsp; He is so quick getting in and out of cuts.&nbsp; Fluid and athletic.&nbsp; Good on shorter routes and is explosive changing direction on a dime.&nbsp; Natural pass catcher that brings plus athleticism.&nbsp; Can be effective on short, intermediate, and deep routes including some acrobatic grabs on go routes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1683691' first='Kenny' last='Bratton'] (Centralia – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bratton was the highest ranked prospect at the event regardless of class and position.&nbsp; He without question showed why with his FREAKISH athleticism!&nbsp; Made it look so easy and effortless through drill work.&nbsp; Elite level athlete that is fluid and explosive on short and intermediate routes.&nbsp; Adjusts well to the ball in the air.&nbsp; Crisp route runner and when he can let it go downfield is a big time threat!&nbsp; No doubt P4 receiver in 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140284' first='Kruz' last='Jackson'] (Centralia – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson is a two way who impacted on both sides of the ball.&nbsp; At 6'1” and 175 pounds he is a plus athlete that went through drill work with ease.&nbsp; Snatches the ball out of the air and showed he can make acrobatic grabs.&nbsp; Also liked what we saw defensively as he reeled in an interception on that side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andreon Hooper (Centralia – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hooper is also a basketball player like Bratton, Jackson, and Goewey.&nbsp; He is a thick bodied and physical receiver at 6'3” 175 pounds.&nbsp; Big bodied pass catcher that is a quality athlete.&nbsp; Super long arms and can box out in the redzone making plays in the endzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Corridaryl Kilpatrick (Sparta – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'0” 175 pound pass catcher has broad shoulders and long arms.&nbsp; Good movement skills, bends getting out of cuts and showcases long term upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caleb Hendershot (Mascoutah – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'10” 160 two way athlete at WR/DB has good length, fluid hips, and easy movement patterns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2163216' first='Jayden' last='Phillips'] (Belleville West – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 5'10” 175 pounds Phillips was one of several outstanding Maroons receivers at the event.&nbsp; He displayed quickness getting in and out of cuts.&nbsp; Snatches the ball with his hands out in front of his body.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chad Coleman (Belleville West – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coleman had a nice evening.&nbsp; The 5'10” 180 pound pass catcher is fluid getting in and out of cuts.&nbsp; Like how he snatches the ball out in front of his body with his hands.&nbsp; Adjusts well to the ball thrown in the paint.&nbsp; Showed off his body control jumping in the air to made a grab in traffic on an intermediate route.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caterion Guyton (Belleville West – 2028) and [player_tooltip player_id='2174923' first='Gmauri' last='Hodges'] (Belleville West – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Couple young pass catchers that each go 5'10” that are best using their hands on short and intermediate routes.&nbsp; Bright future for this underclassmen duo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caden Farias (Wesclin – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 5'10” 190 pound wide receiver displayed a nice mix of athleticism and technique.&nbsp; Effective on slant routes and can make the acrobatic catch when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->