PrepRed Zone Illinois/Indiana Spring Showcase: Top RBs & WRs

Over 125 athletes from across the Midwest attended PrepRed Zone’s Illinois/Indiana Spring Showcase on Saturday, May 15<sup>th</sup> in Crown Point, IN at the SpartaDome. The rising 2022-2024’s definitely put on a show, with more than a few impressive performances in the group. Here is a look back at the top wide receiver and running back performers and be sure to keep an eye out for the rest of the position groups which will be published soon. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144630" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/C28B9BEA-6B2B-42D6-A216-257081FA0F94-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Brownsburg, IN RB [player_tooltip player_id="39066" first="Caleb" last="Marcus"] (5’10” and 159lbs) @Caleb20marcus He first jumped off the page by running two very quick 40-yard dash times, 4.60 followed by a 4.56, and two impressive standing long jumps as well. https://twitter.com/lemmingscouting/status/1393648928109875200?s=21 The explosiveness is certainly there and it showed during the 1v1 portion as well. Although a bit slender at this stage, Marcus has plenty of time to hit the weight room and add good weight, that will most likely contribute to his already impressive athleticism. I’ve know about Brownsburg for many years, they always have impressive athletes and Marcus is yet another one of the many high-end athletes to come out of there. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144631" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/AB68FC28-2550-4C7A-B161-8DC2DB0FB17C-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Elgin, IL RB Matthew Lawson (5’9” and 171lbs) @lawsonmatt0 Right now Lawson is a ideal candidate for a slot receiver, but knowing that he’s just a freshman, he could become much more than that. He’s got great footwork for a young player and is extremely fluid in his movements. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1393731809016487937?s=21 His hands were very good, while he used his speed to gain separation from defenders. As Lawson continues to grow, he’ll just get better from here on out. I’m going to be watching him closely as he continues his high school career. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144094" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/Phillip-Roche-DSC_5840-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 2023 Merriville, IN RB Phillip Roche (5’11” and 187lbs) @PhillipRoche4 The size stands out for Roche, as he’s got a great lower half with plenty of room to add on good weight. What I really liked about Roche was his versatility, when asked to take reps as a corner, he stepped up and did a very good job. Events like these really don’t like backs shine, so for Roche to stand out at another position was very impressive. It was his good footwork and hands that made a difference during the 1v1’s. I saw enough to be impressed and will keep tabs on Roche going forward. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144633" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/0D828D93-432B-4AF7-BE11-8D706D3240FF-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Schaumburg, IL RB Takumi Fred (5’10” and 212lbs) @TakumiFred I got a chance to see Fred during the season and he’s the classic bruiser back, getting better as a game goes on. After watching him run, I knew something was a bit off, he had injured his ankle last week at another camp, and almost didn’t show up. Fred did and showed that he’s working towards having a big senior year. The game I attended in the spring didn’t see many passes go his was so it was nice seeing him in this setting as backs are forced to become receivers, with Fred not struggling in that part of his game. The largest back in attendance was solid in all areas. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144007" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/Alonzo-Manning-II-DSC_5858-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 2024 Marist, IL running back [player_tooltip player_id="161325" first="Alonzo" last="Manning"] (5’4” and 146lbs) @alonzo_manning9 Manning isn’t going to scare many defenders with his size, he does it instead with his speed and change of direction skills. He can stop on a dime and change angles, which he uses well as a pass catcher. Solid hands as well, Manning should most likely be looked at as more of an option in the pass game, but still getting touches on reverses and screen plays. As a freshman these some room to grow, and if used correctly in the Marist offense, Manning could be a playmaker over the next few years. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144019" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/Cam-Williams-DSC_5845-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 2024 Glenbard South, IL WR [player_tooltip player_id="158489" first="Cam" last="Williams"] (6’2” and 175lbs) @cam_will30 A young player who I haven’t seen before was Williams, but after getting a close look of him, he was more than impressive. Williams has a great frame for his age, already looking like he’s a class or two above his own. He’s got great hands, while catching the ball away from his body, a trait that you don’t see too many young players have. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1393715243533185025?s=21 Williams has a great base to work with and should only continue to improve as he gets older. His routes will tighten, he’ll get stronger and faster, as he works to become a more complete receiver. The potential is there for him to be a very highly recruited player as Williams high school career continues. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144638" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/E2870E1B-879E-4EDB-957D-1A183D55E180-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Lyons, IL WR [player_tooltip player_id="119388" first="Noah" last="Pfafflin"] (6’2” and 175lbs) @noahpfafflin I’ve know about Pfafflin since last summer, every time after he’s just gotten better. His route running is so technical for a rising sophomore, it shouldn’t come to anyone’s surprise that he got plenty of varsity playing time this past spring. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1393716156238794753?s=21 Great size and speed, Pfafflin has a solid frame that can add on weight and not lose any of his speed, it should actually add to it. He’s an extremely hard worker, this was the second time I had seen him last week at a camp. Not only is Pfafflin a great football player, he’d be a boon to a locker room as well. Expect to continue to hear his name over the next three years, he’s got a very high ceiling. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144109" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/TJ-McWilliams-DSC_5824-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 2023 North Central, IN WR [player_tooltip player_id="107235" first="TJ" last="McWilliams"] (6’1” and 165lbs) @TJMcwilliams9 Another player who I haven’t seen prior to Saturday, McWilliams has great size and is smooth with his movements. The speed is there as well, good hands and solid route runner. McWilliams will be able to add good weight to his frame, especially in his upper-body. He’s got a good lower-half which is where you see much of his fast-twitch movements. McWilliams does a great job using his hands to catch balls, while high pointing them when necessary. I really like his game and what he brings to the table. McWilliams has a ton of potential. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144641" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/142C1F25-46F8-4CD8-98E3-84F372502A1C-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2024 Whitney Young, IL Athlete Anthony Hood (5’11” and 165lbs) @anthohood17 Long and lanky, Hood took reps on both sides of the ball, his versatility was showcased doing so. At first I wasn’t sure where to slot him, but after seeing this catch, I’d have him rep as a receiver first, knowing that if it doesn’t work out, he’s got the skill set to move to cornerback. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1393746993768550400?s=21 Hood is a smooth athlete, who’s got a great running gait, high knees and doesn’t loose speed when he moves laterally. This young man has a ton of potential, just needs to start doing the smaller things in order to unlock it. Hood is certainly one to keep an eye out this fall and beyond. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144108" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/Thomas-Skokna-DSC_5929-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 2022 Hinsdale Central, IL WR Thomas Skokna (5’8’ and 160lbs) @TSkokna Caught my eye when he ran his fourty, a blazing 4.56 which will play at a lot of levels. Although on the smaller side, Skokna will be a slot receiver at the next level, where he will use his speed to make plays. Bubble screen’s, reverses, and misdirection plays are just a few ways he can make his mark. Skokna runs crisp routes and also has good hands, so he’s not just a a gadget-type of player. I didn’t know about him coming into the camp, but after seeing him do well, I’ll be watching what he does during his final high school season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144036" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/Dillon-Moore-DSC_6050-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 2022 Ben Davis, IN WR Dillon Moore (6’2” and 205lbs) @moore_dillon Physically the most college-ready body of the group, Moore isn’t just a great frame. He runs well and has a very large catch radius. He uses his hands well to catch the ball away from his body, all while his long arms allow him to get to balls that seem out of his reach. Moore’s route work was among the best in attendance. He made it difficult on defenders during the 1v1 portion, giving glimpses of the potential. I’ll be watching Moore from a distance, as he looks to breakout during his senior year.