2027 Recruiting: Commitments, Big Decisions Looming, List Cuts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Major happenings in the world of recruiting in the state of Illinois in terms of the class of 2027 in recent days!&nbsp; Here we look at the commitments, list cuts, and prospects making noise!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Offensive Tackles Come Off Board</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the last couple of days two of the premier offensive tackles in the state came off the board.&nbsp; On Monday it was St. Joseph Ogden offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1329014' first='Cameron' last='Wagner'] who committed to Oregon over Illinois, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin.&nbsp; The Ducks really made the central Illinois product a priority late in the process and got the best offensive lineman in the state to head out west!&nbsp; The massive left tackle moves incredibly well for his size.&nbsp; Elite footwork and base.&nbsp; He plows over defenders running them into the ground.&nbsp; The athleticism allows him to get to the second level blocking downfield.&nbsp; Sound technically with his use of angles.&nbsp; Elite pass protector with his footwork and knowing how to use his length to keep defenders out of his body.&nbsp; Wagner checks in at #7 overall in the PRZ Illinois Rankings and top offensive lineman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday it was Lincoln Way East offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1598833' first='Mason' last='Halliman'] deciding for a Big 10 school as well selected to stay in-state to play at Illinois.&nbsp; He is the #4 overall offensive lineman in the class and #29 overall.&nbsp; He selected the Illini over other finalists Ole Miss, Penn State, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin.&nbsp; Halliman is an athletic 6'5” 270 pound offensive tackle that continues to get better!&nbsp;&nbsp; So quick and explosive in the run game creating holes for his backs to get through.&nbsp; Great balance and length used in pass protection.&nbsp; Can stand them up at the line or if they try to go wide he will run them into the ground.&nbsp; What might stand out most is not where he is now, but where he will be once he continues to add more strength on his frame to go with his elite athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elite Pass Catcher Makes Call on Wednesday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect more top 10 players to come off the board this week! The #1 wide receiver and #3 overall player Quentin Burrell will announce his decision on Wednesday. The finalists are Notre Dame, Michigan, Mizzou, and Arizona State. Burrell is among the truly elite wide receiver prospects in the entire country. It could be a big day for Big Blue!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Major Decisions Set for Friday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the top 10 players in the state will be making their calls this upcoming Friday May 15.&nbsp; St. Patrick defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1335315' first='David' last='Folorunsho'] has rocketed up the board after a monster junior campaign.&nbsp; His finalists are Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Miami, and Texas Tech.&nbsp; Folorunsho currently checks in at #5 overall and the #2 defensive tackle in the class.&nbsp; Behind the scenes buzz is this is going to come down to old rivals as the favorites heading into the week are Notre Dame and Miami.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The other big announcement will come from Libertyville tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1628153' first='Brock' last='Williams'].&nbsp; The #1 tight end and #6 overall prospect in the state will choose between Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas.&nbsp; He has taken trips to all three schools and they have visited him numerous times.&nbsp; It seems to be trending toward Texas at the beginning of the week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>List Cuts for Elite Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two best defensive backs in the 2027 class have each narrowed their lists.  Let's start with the #1 DB and #9 overall prospect [player_tooltip player_id='476341' first='Tavares' last='Harrington'].  He is down to a final three of Notre Dame, Michigan, and Alabama.  Lengthy corner has all the tools and skills you look for in a cover corner. He will announce his commitment between the trio on May 22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #2 corner in the state is East St. Louis' [player_tooltip player_id='1335357' first='Raheem' last='Floyd'] who also cut his list over the weekend to a final five of Ole Miss, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and Mizzou.&nbsp; Silky smooth defensive back that has typewriter footwork!&nbsp; He sits at #16 overall in the state's 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More Mt. Carmel stars are narrowing things down.&nbsp; The #1 linebacker and #8 overall player [player_tooltip player_id='1598821' first='Roman' last='Igwebuike'] has cut it to a final five of Indiana, Clemson, Mizzou, Notre Dame, and Tennessee.&nbsp; Long and rangy second level defender is the definition of a complete linebacker with his range, speed, tackling, pass rushing, and coverage abilities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eastern Michigan Gets Their Future QB from Geneva</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nice get for Eastern Michigan as they nabbed Geneva signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1940899' first='Ben' last='Peterson'] over the weekend.&nbsp; Peterson goes 6'4” 200 pounds with nice size and strength.&nbsp; Excellent touch on the deep ball along with pushing deep slants over the middle of the field.&nbsp; Creativity being able to use his legs to extend plays, but is very comfortable as a drop back passer reading defenses and hitting his open man as well.&nbsp; Crisp with his mechanics and footwork in the pocket.&nbsp; As a junior he had 1963 total yards along with 25 total touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Konkey Continues to Blow Up on Trail</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of Geneva the prospect with the most helium right now on the recruiting trail is their wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1598846' first='Bennett' last='Konkey'].&nbsp; A big reason is the times he is putting up on the track including a 10.25 second 100 meters and 21.15 second 200 meters.&nbsp; Recently reeled in offers from Iowa State, Illinois, Syracuse, Northwestern, and Duke.&nbsp; Konkey is a 6'1” wide receiver that recorded 739 yards through the air this past season (348 yards of which were after the catch) on 41 grabs along with 9 touchdowns in 9 games.&nbsp; The consistent production game in and game out were what stood out the most to us.&nbsp; Very reliable pass catcher.&nbsp; Steady hands and finds the weak spot in the defense.&nbsp; Can go over the middle along with getting vertical on deep posts with his long strides.&nbsp; Currently is the #5 receiver in the class in our January update, but expect that to go up in our next ranking!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->