2028 Illinois Linebackers Flying Under the Radar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Illinois' 2028 class features several linebackers who have already started to emerge on the recruiting trail, but there are still plenty of prospects flying under the radar. As these players head into their junior seasons, here are six linebackers who could see their recruitment take a significant jump.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1150293' first='Cooper' last='Beaty'] | Plano | 6'2", 195</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beaty is one of the more productive linebackers in the 2028 class. He finished his sophomore season with <strong>116 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and three interceptions</strong>, showing an ability to consistently find the football. At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, he has a frame that should continue to develop over the next two years. His combination of production, size and two-way varsity experience makes him a prospect worth following closely this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2114903' first='Ryker' last='Czubak'] | Joliet Catholic | 6'2", 220</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Czubak brings an intriguing combination of size, physicality and multi-sport athleticism. At <strong>6-foot-2, 220 pounds</strong>, he already possesses college-level size and also has an accomplished wrestling background. That wrestling experience shows up in his ability to play with leverage, use his hands and compete in traffic. With another varsity season ahead of him at Joliet Catholic, Czubak has an opportunity to become a much more recognizable name on the recruiting trail.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2140317' first='Carson' last='Fox'] | Olney | 6'2", 190</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fox is an intriguing prospect outside of the Chicagoland area who deserves more attention. The 6-foot-2 linebacker produced <strong>84 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles</strong> during his sophomore season. He has good length for the position and has already demonstrated the ability to make plays around the line of scrimmage. Fox is a name college coaches should keep on their radar as his frame continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1892419' first='Evan' last='Rediehs'] | Lemont | 6'2", 200</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rediehs has the physical profile and developmental upside that make him an interesting 2028 evaluation. At <strong>6-foot-2 and around 200 pounds</strong>, he has good length with plenty of room to continue adding mass. He gained valuable varsity experience as a sophomore at Lemont and should take on an even larger role this fall. His junior film could go a long way toward determining how quickly his recruitment develops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2140421' first='Jack' last='Schapendonk'] | St. Rita | 6'2", 190</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing at St. Rita gives Schapendonk an opportunity to compete against some of the state's best competition on a weekly basis. At <strong>6-foot-2, 190 pounds</strong>, he has a projectable frame and shows the ability to close on the football. Another year of physical development combined with his experience against Chicago Catholic League competition could make Schapendonk an intriguing evaluation for college programs searching for linebackers in the 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2084252' first='Hunter' last='Valentine'] | Pinckneyville | 6'0", 210</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Illinois continues to produce prospects who can get overlooked early in the recruiting process, and Valentine is one worth monitoring. At approximately <strong>6-foot, 210 pounds</strong>, he already carries good size for an inside linebacker. Valentine plays with physicality and has the build to continue developing into a traditional box linebacker. A strong junior season could help him gain considerably more exposure throughout the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->