Western Burbs Combine: Tailback Group Full of Talent and Traits

<p>The Illinois High School Showcases are the best thing to happen to Illinois High School Football in some time. Sanctioned by the IHSA, these events bring multiple schools together in a particular region to provide an efficient way for prospects to gain exposure and college programs to evaluate talent. The Western Burbs Combine hosted 15 schools, over 300 talented prospects, and over 100 college representatives in attendance. The tailback group was packed with talent and athleticism on this particular chilly May Wednesday.</p>   <p><em>*** Use code StopPRZ30 for 30% off your subscription to Prep Redzone ***</em></p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1371805' first='Tivias' last='Caldwell'] | St. Francis | 2027</h2>   <p>Caldwell was one of the top overall performers on the evening. Listed at 5100 205, Caldwell has a muscular frame with plenty of meat on the bones. He is tightly wound, explosive with great feet, showed excellent lateral juice during indy drills. Caldwell has a very well developed position specific skill set and flashed during the one on one passing drills. Caldwell popped during live observation on the football field last fall, and looks set to have a big senior campaign.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1335245' first='Amari' last='Harris'] | Glenbard West | 2027</h2>   <p>Harris was the biggest back in attendance, listed at a big 6000 235 and looked every bit of it. His physical frame consisted of plenty of muscle mass, particularly in the lowers where he looked like he could generate some serious force at the point of contact. On the roster he is listed as FB/HBack, built for those positions. Harris showed great feet and agility running through drills.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2219188' first='Conor' last='McCarty'] | Neuqua Valley | 2027</h2>   <p>McCarty has a lean frame at a listed size of 6000 180, and showed some of the best athletic ability amongst the running back group. McCarty ran through drills with very good initial burst and lateral quickness. He had proper forward lean and pad level, and redirected with very good hip swivel.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1335752' first='Bryce' last='Riley'] | West Aurora | 2027</h2>   <p>Riley was listed at 5080 175 and showed great foot quickness navigating through the bags and agility drills. Riley is sudden and has some notable juice to him. His ability to use his overall twitch, quickness and explosiveness in short areas was on display during the one on one periods throughout the night.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2219189' first='Abriel' last='Epting'] | Waubonsie Valley | 2027</h2>   <p>Epting was listed at 5090 170 with a bit of a compact looking frame on the hoof. Epting displayed some good short area juice during the indy drills, carried the ball with very good pad level, body control through bags and agilities, and secured the football consistently with solid ball control 'high and tight' fundamentals and pressure points. </p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2219191' first='Noah' last='Douglas'] | Metea Valley | 2028</h2>   <p>Douglas was notable with his frame and body type, listed at 6010 185 and also noted as a two-way player at LB as well. Douglas displayed good open field mobility and short area agility, changing direction with ease and bending well through all of the agility stations.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2140244' first='Elijah' last='Donahue'] | Glenbard South | 2028</h2>   <p>Donahue has a great looking frame, high cut with length at only a listed roster size of 5090 170. Donahue was very smooth through agilities, nice pad level, good ball security fundamentals, changed direction with ease, good burst, very fluid in his short area and open field movements and body control.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2219199' first='Ethan' last='Sowell'] | Glenbard East | 2028</h2>   <p>Sowell is listed at 5080 170 with a compact and muscular build on the hoof. He looks like he has some power to him. Sowell was one of the more agile backs as he consistently stood out amongst the agility and individual drills, carrying the ball with good pad level, ball security and moving his feet.</p>   <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2219208' first='Vic' last='Tyson'] | Naperville North | 2029</h2>   <p>Tyson was one of the top underclassmen athletes at the event. Listed on the team roster at 5070 175, Tyson looks like a big time athlete as he moved around during drills. Tyson is a track guy, and it shows in a big way with his quickness, shiftiness, speed and burst. He can change direction very well, loose and oily in his movements, appears to be one to watch as he continues to grow and develop.</p>   <p></p>   <p><em>*** Use code StopPRZ30 for 30% off your subscription to Prep Redzone ***</em></p>

The Illinois High School Showcases are the best thing to happen to Illinois High School Football in some time. Sanctioned by the IHSA, these events bring multiple schools together in a particular region to provide an efficient way for prospects to gain exposure and college programs to evaluate talent. The Western Burbs Combine hosted 15 schools, over 300 talented prospects, and over 100 college representatives in attendance. The tailback group was packed with talent and athleticism on this particular chilly May Wednesday.