2028 Illinois ATH Prospects to Watch This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2028 class in Illinois has no shortage of athletes who can impact a game in multiple ways. As preseason work winds down and the 2026 season gets underway, several prospects are beginning to generate more recruiting attention. Here are five 2028 athletes whose versatility and upside make them names to know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1688291' first='Pierre' last='Ray Jr.'] – Richards</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ray is one of the more intriguing two-way players in the class. The Richards prospect is coming off a season in which he recorded six interceptions, more than 50 tackles and four tackles for loss. His recruiting stock has started to follow, with his first five offers already coming in. Ray has legitimate defensive-back ability, but his overall athleticism gives a college staff several options for how it could eventually use him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Javonte Williams – Wheaton St Francis </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams continues to emerge as another versatile defensive prospect in the 2028 class. He totaled 62 tackles, four interceptions and nine pass breakups last season while displaying the ability to affect the game from multiple alignments. His recruitment has begun to take off as well, with his first four offers coming onto the board. Williams has the range and playmaking instincts that should keep him on the radar throughout his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1136443' first='Jaxon' last='Good'] – Mt. Zion</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good is a prospect worth tracking because of his combination of frame and athletic testing. The Mt. Zion athlete lists himself as a DB/WR and has posted a 40-plus-inch vertical. That explosiveness translates to both sides of the football, where his length gives him considerable developmental upside. His junior film will be important as programs determine which side of the ball ultimately offers the highest ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='887187' first='Logan' last='Lennon'] – Antioch</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lennon is another 2028 prospect whose versatility is beginning to attract attention. Listed as an ATH/RB, Lennon has already earned an FBS opportunity from Miami (Ohio). He provides value as a runner but also has enough versatility to create matchup opportunities in the passing game. His junior season should provide a much clearer picture of how high his recruitment can climb.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2140265' first='Ammar' last='Banire'] – Oswego</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Banire may eventually settle into a running-back designation, but his overall athletic profile makes him worthy of inclusion among the state's top athletes. At an Illinois camp this summer, Banire posted a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, a 10-foot-1 broad jump and a 4.28 pro agility before performing well in receiving drills. Illinois subsequently became his first Power Four offer. The combination of size, speed and receiving ability gives him significant positional flexibility moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->