Offensive Skill Players Making Noise on Film in First Four Weeks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em><br><br>Let's dive into the film room breaking down some of the offensive skill position players who caught our attention over the last couple of weeks!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1598810' first='Reece' last='Shanklin'] (East St. Louis – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Shanklin back on the board after his decommitment from East Tennessee State we looked at his tape against O'Fallon in week 4.&nbsp; Immediately becomes the top uncommitted QB in the class with his size, athleticism, and passing ability.&nbsp; Can win from the pocket with his arm strength and how he gets his weapons involved putting them in position to do damage after the catch.&nbsp; Layering it better as a senior showing more touch on his passes.&nbsp; Showcased his game changing running ability on both designed and off script rushes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='2122357' first='Evan' last='LeFevour'] (Lincoln Way East – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior 6'1” 190 pound signal caller has clean mechanics and a smooth delivery.&nbsp; Loves to hit his back foot and let it rip down the field or over the middle.&nbsp; Ton of velo on his passes in tight spaces fitting it in there.&nbsp; Has his team at 4-0!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1187171' first='Nigel' last='Gooden'] (Cahokia – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The wiry signal caller has a rocket right arm letting it rip down the field.&nbsp; Quick release and the ball explodes out of his hand.&nbsp; Works well in play action situations.&nbsp; Really can push it downfield vertically!&nbsp; Plus athlete who is a major factor with his legs when plays break down running past defenders for first downs and much more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='2082558' first='Josh' last='Montell'] (Lemont – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 5'10” the Lemont signal caller had an efficient passing game going 5/8 for 202 passing yards.&nbsp; Like the arm strength pushing it down the field along with being able to use his mobility rolling the pocket.&nbsp; Also a factor on the ground with 52 yards and a score showcasing his speed on designed runs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Mason Burgan (Rockford East – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undersized sophomore QB at 5'10” 160 pounds is making plays on the varsity level.&nbsp; He is creative with the ball in his hands including jump passes and being a blocker for his backs on sweep plays.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB Nick Morrow (Woodstock – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morrow is a 5'10” 160 pound sophomore back for Woodstock.&nbsp; Friday night he showed off his ability to impact as a runner and receiver including catching a touchdown pass.&nbsp; Sick spin move going back the other way for yards.&nbsp; Also brings value on special teams as a return guy and on kick coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB Mike Schmid (Marian Central Catholic – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Marian Central Catholic running back is 5'8” and 180 pounds.&nbsp; Hides behind his lineman then explodes getting to second and third levels.&nbsp; Elusive runner who gets skinny and is tough to bring down.&nbsp; Has some value as a pass catcher as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB Amir Smothers (Morgan Park – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 5'11” 190 pounds the Morgan Park sophomore has made noise on the varsity level.&nbsp; Slippery cuts through the hole and makes guys miss with suddenness in the hole.&nbsp; Gets skinny and is tough to bring down with one tackler.&nbsp; Changes directions quickly and has quick footwork.&nbsp; Ends runs going forward with good raw strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR Jaden Romeus (Addison Trail – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What stands out about Romeus is when he gets in the open field he turns on the burners running very well at 6'1” 195 pounds.&nbsp; Good ball skills adjusting and making catches.&nbsp; Can also line up in line at tight end at times.&nbsp; Feel for finding space and plucks the ball out of the air with his hands.&nbsp; Very effective on shorter routes taking them for long gains.&nbsp; Through the first four weeks he has recorded 7 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR JJ Nash (Marist – 2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nash popped on my hoops radar this summer and is now making plays as a big and fast 6'3” wide out on the gridiron.&nbsp; Breakaway speed in the open field as shown on a 50 yard bubble screen TD vs Mt. Carmel.&nbsp; Uses his size well on in breaking routes boxing the corner out.&nbsp; The run after catch overall is what stands out on tape.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR Jay Cawthon (Lincoln Way East – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'0” 175 pound receiver has 24 receptions for 445 yards and 5 touchdowns in the first 4 games of the year.&nbsp; Wide catch radius with his verticality and long arms.&nbsp; Tracks the ball very well downfield without losing stride.&nbsp; Slippery with the ball after the catch especially for how tall he is.&nbsp; Can take the top off the defense with his deep routes along with score on shorter passes with his quickness. Also brings value in the punt return game including a TD vs Kankakee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR Mason Heydecker (Schaumburg – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Schaumburg 2029 pass catcher shows speed both getting up field vertically along with run after the catch on shorter passes.&nbsp; Juice with the ball in his hands on gadget plays as well being slippery getting around defenders.&nbsp; Solid route runner that tracks it well in the air.&nbsp; Natural feel as a pass catcher with his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id='2163216' first='Jayden' last='Phillips'] (Belleville West – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Belleville West 6'0” 170 pound pass catcher has speed to burn.&nbsp; Slippery with the ball after the catch.&nbsp; Snatches the ball with his hands.&nbsp; Impressive catch in the endzone going up getting it.&nbsp; Wins off the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TE Liam Larma (York – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Larma is a 6'2” 210 pound tight end who is a quality blocker both for his receivers and running backs.&nbsp; Also can block edge rushers for his QB.&nbsp; Has the size and athleticism to track long term.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2174798' first='Davion' last='White'] (Kankakee – 2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Explosive two way athlete that has game breaking speed in the open field with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; Get him the ball on short passes and he can break it open with his speed!&nbsp; On the defensive side he breaks down opponents tackling well in the open field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->