Class of 2027: Year of the Quarterback

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is still very early in the process, but with the way this season is unfolding we can certainly say that 2027 is looking like <strong>The Year of the Quarterback</strong> in Illinois.&nbsp; In our debut ranking of the class four of the top six prospects were QBs.&nbsp; Sometime that is because of positional value, but in this class they are truly the most special prospects.&nbsp; One other quarterback is primed to make a move into this group!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='426566' first='Trae' last='Taylor'] (Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor sits at the top of the board and has more than earned it.&nbsp; He holds offers from coast to coast with programs trying to get him on campus every week as he is among the top signal callers in the nation.&nbsp; He is an athletic signal caller that has a good frame and a big time arm.&nbsp; We saw him in person early in October and the ball flew out of his hand.&nbsp; His advanced understanding of the game is what takes him to another level to go along with all his physical tools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='342339' first='Jameson' last='Purcell'] (Maine South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Purcell had his first varsity start late in September and all he did was throw for 472 yards on 74% completion rate and 4 touchdowns vs a very good Barrington team while setting a new school record for passing yards.&nbsp; Followed that up going 8/8 for 165 yards and 5 touchdowns in a half the next week.&nbsp; He is a 6'2” lefty that has smooth mechanics, excellent footwork, and an easy delivery.&nbsp; Can beat you from the pocket and is adept at making plays with the pocket breaks down finding pass catchers downfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611846' first='Israel' last='Abrams'] (Montini)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abrams checks in at #5 overall and lived up to that status when we evaluated him in a head to head matchup with Taylor where he led his team to the win while throwing for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns.&nbsp; Good size at 6'4” 180 pounds.&nbsp; I think what impressed me the most at a young age here is how he moves in the pocket feeling pressure, but always keeping his eyes downfield to find open receivers.&nbsp; Can layer the ball throwing it to all three levels with touch and zip.&nbsp; Command of the offense!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='214234' first='Jayden' last='Ellington'] (Belleville Althoff)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellington is an absolutely electric athlete!&nbsp; When we saw him as a freshman he would much rather run than pass.&nbsp; That has changed as a sophomore with Ellington looking to beat you with his arm on a more consistent basis.&nbsp; His elite athleticism is what separates him from this group as he is as fast as anyone when he gets in the open field.&nbsp; We like how he has progressed as a passer making quick reads and getting the ball out of his hands like a point guard.&nbsp; Touch on the deep ball.&nbsp; The consistent accuracy and his size will be the two areas coaches will be monitoring over the next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reece Shanklin (East St. Louis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shanklin is the quarterback of this group that is currently unranked, but that will change during the offseason.&nbsp; He isn't even technically the starter for the Flyers, but there is no denying his upside as a long term prospect.&nbsp; We saw him in person split duties with the senior starter and came away thinking this could be a power 4 quarterback down the line.&nbsp; He has a strong frame at 6'2” along with an excellent pocket presence.&nbsp; He has a big time arm along with the ability to run with power and speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Who Has Next?</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='607399' first='Matthew' last='Brady'] (Bloomington Central Catholic)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brady has intriguing size at 6'4” with the ability to throw the deep ball putting touch on it.&nbsp; Like the footwork and how he hits his back step and distributes on short and intermediate routes to his weapons.&nbsp; Throws well on the run showing mobility especially going to his right.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403899' first='Brody' last='Hasquin'] (Triad)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Hasquin isn't the starter right now at Triad as he is setting behind a savvy senior leader we saw him in a scrimmage setting show some intriguing tools.&nbsp; Really like the size and physicality at 6'3” 195 pounds.&nbsp; Plus athlete that moves well being able to scramble moving the chains and throw on the run.&nbsp; Quick distributor getting the ball to his weapons with pop off his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='432149' first='Ryder' last='Startz'] (Mt. Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an established star ahead of him Startz is doing his work on the JV squad this year, but when you turn on the tape there is a lot to like.&nbsp; Plus athlete that is effective on designed runs, manipulates in play action passing game, and consistently gets the ball out of his hands to weapons for maximum yards after catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->