Western Burbs Combine: Passing Game Playmakers

<p>The Illinois High School Showcases are the best thing to happen to Illinois High School Football in some time. Sanctioned by the IHSA, these events bring multiple schools together in a particular region to provide an efficient way for prospects to gain exposure and college programs to evaluate talent. The Western Burbs Combine hosted 15 schools, over 300 talented prospects, and over 100 college representatives in attendance. Lots of plays were made during the one on one passing portion of the event, below are a few that particularly stood out during the coldest part of the day.</p>   <p><em>*** Use code StopPRZ30 for 30% off your subscription to Prep Redzone ***</em></p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WR/DB | [player_tooltip player_id='2174798' first='Davion' last='White'] | Kankakee | 2029</h2>   <p>White is a good sized skill athlete for his age, listed at 5110 165. White went both ways at the event, continuously drawing attention to his number for plays made on both sides of the ball. He was highly competitive in one on ones, quick and twitchy, and was clearly one of the best underclassmen competing.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WR | [player_tooltip player_id='1136696' first='Blayke' last='Lohmann'] | St. Francis | 2028</h2>   <p>The second time we saw Lohmann this spring was similar, and by certain measures, more productive than the first. Lohmann is long and a very good route runner. Throughout the evening, he proved to be a legitimate deep threat, often defeating his competition and showing good ball skills at the catch point. He was one of the top overall performers.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WR | [player_tooltip player_id='1709720' first='Alijah' last='Valeri'] | St. Francis | 2028</h2>   <p>Valeri was observed for the second time in 2026 at this event. What he has done this offseason is perform with remarkable consistency. Valeri is quick, shifty, creates separation easily, can explode out of breaks and really create plays in the combine one on one setting. He is dangerous in short area and will be productive at the next level.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DS/LB | [player_tooltip player_id='1335196' first='James' last='McGrath'] | St. Francis | 2027</h2>   <p>McGrath is a productive player on the game tape and was productive again on this evening in the cold. He looks natural in pass coverage, had one big pick that would've gone to the house in normal ball. On the hoof, he's got good size, moves well, agile in short area, could project to second or third level. His position versatility and 'tweenerness' should play to his advantage.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DB/WR | [player_tooltip player_id='1151334' first='Jaylen' last='McMiller'] | Glenbard West | 2027</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1151334' first='Jaylen' last='McMiller'] flashed during one on ones in a big way. He went both ways throughout the night and was notably productive from rep to rep. McMiller shows great burst out of break and made big time plays on both sides of ball. He looked like a guy that could end up in either the retriever or DB room at the next level and has the athletic ability to back it all up. </p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DB | [player_tooltip player_id='2219322' first='Kennon' last='Lyke'] | Metea Valley | 2027</h2>   <p>Lyke mainly competed at DB, but went both ways to show versatility. He was highly competitive, was lock down in the secondary throughout the night, tough to gain separation on, used his great length to make plays, got all the reps he could possibly get, just a top class competitor that forced his number to be written with the pen.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DB | [player_tooltip player_id='2219329' first='Jack' last='Purgatorio'] | Downers Grove North | 2027</h2>   <p>Purgatorio competed at 6000 175 as it was listed on the school roster. He popped at times making his fair share of plays in the secondary, staying in phase with receivers, logging some PBUs. He has good size, put in great effort, is a legit next level prospect.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">LB | [player_tooltip player_id='2219339' first='Jason' last='Goode'] | DeKalb | 2028</h2>   <p>DeKalb entered some good looking body types into competition on this particular evening and Goode was certainly one that looked the part and backed it up with his ability to be athletic and agile in space possessing very good length at 6010 195. Goode looks Division I ready, is certainly one to watch, made some nice plays in space, and appears to have potential for the next level.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WR | [player_tooltip player_id='2219344' first='Mark' last='Williams'] | Naperville Central | 2028</h2>   <p>Williams has speed. He flashed on multiple occasions during the one on one portion of the event. On multiple occasions, with his ability to break off a route and leave a defender in trail, was an absolute menace. Williams has explosiveness to him, short area quickness, and listed at 5110 165. </p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DB | [player_tooltip player_id='2045533' first='Drake' last='Gay'] | DeKalb | 2028</h2>   <p>Another DeKalb prospect that flashed on the night was the young rising DB Gay. He was one of the one of the best performing secondary players on the night, and rose up during the final one on ones. He has a good looking frame and athletic ability at a roster listed size of 5100 170.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DB | [player_tooltip player_id='2105148' first='Zion' last='Thomas'] | Kankakee | 2027</h2>   <p>Thomas was one of the best and most versatile athletes at the event. He showed great break on the ball and excellent effort and break on a PBU at the tail end of the one on one session. His consistency and overall spacial athleticism was good throughout the night.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WR | [player_tooltip player_id='2105055' first='Bryce' last='Ellens'] | Glenbard West | 2027</h2>   <p>Ellens was a known commodity headed into the event as a verified speed demon. He didn't have the greatest night catching the football but he can take the top off and separate with the best of them. The speed is real, he's got some electricity to him.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WR/DB | [player_tooltip player_id='1682064' first='Kymani' last='Billings'] | Kankakee | 2028</h2>   <p>Billings was a player that showed up at the end when the pressure was highest and made plays in the one on one periods. Billings played both ways, displayed lateral and short area athleticism in the individual and agility drills, moved with very good quickness, proved to be a competitor.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WR | [player_tooltip player_id='1548594' first='Alexzander' last='Taylor'] | St. Francis | 2028</h2>   <p>Taylor is a retriever that flashed on film in 2025 and flashed as well at this event. Taylor is a good route runner and has good overall athletic ability. He is another one that is widely talked about, for good reason, and stood out amongst the group. He is a developing player that has some natural skills and traits that translate to the next level.</p>   <p></p>   <p><em>*** Use code StopPRZ30 for 30% off your subscription to Prep Redzone ***</em></p>

The Illinois High School Showcases are the best thing to happen to Illinois High School Football in some time. Sanctioned by the IHSA, these events bring multiple schools together in a particular region to provide an efficient way for prospects to gain exposure and college programs to evaluate talent. The Western Burbs Combine hosted 15 schools, over 300 talented prospects, and over 100 college representatives in attendance. Lots of plays were made during the one on one passing portion of the event, below are a few that particularly stood out during the coldest part of the day.