2026s You Will Soon Know: Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're back looking at 2026 prospects from around the state of Illinois. These recruits have some serious upside and proved it with their freshmen film. Keep in mind, some of these guys were contributors at the varsity level, while others stood out at the JV or freshmen levels. Watch out for them as they continue to develop over the next three seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, If you have someone you think I need to see, please DM them to me on Twitter at @hsfbscout!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='401603' first='Devin' last='Hamilton'] 6'2" 180, Marist</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hamilton has confidence in his hands, natural body control, and the ability to spot smaller cutback lanes. He can easily adjust to make catches on poorly thrown balls and is sneaky quick after the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>WR: Ahmad Buchanan, 5'10" 165, Richards</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shows no change of pace at the top of his route, some serious burners when he gets going, and can make defenders miss in a phone booth. Ahmad is an explosive athlete with high-level playmaking ability and shows some serious juice through contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>ATH: Eddie McClain, 5'7" 160, Nazareth</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't let his size fool you, this kid is as tough as they come. McClain can make impact on either side of the football. He's got relaxed hips, phenomenal burst &amp; instincts, to go along with quick feet. He could project at corner or running back at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>RB: Dominic DiLeonardi, 5'10" 155, Geneva</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Put up quality numbers in 2022, totaling 1,443 yards and 16 touchdowns. On tape, Dominic flashed high-end speed, dynamic change of direction in close quarters, and the ability to process &amp; adjust at a moment's notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>ATH: [player_tooltip player_id='299452' first='X'zavion' last='Montgomery'] N/A, N/A, Warren</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An extremely shifty prospect with outstanding balance and a killer instinct. He's got a disruptive off-hand jam, can turn &amp; run with the best of em, and proved that he's capable of shedding blocks to provide run support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>WR: Liam Martin, 6'3" 190, Bradley-Bourbonnais</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loved this kid's mixture of size, speed, ball skills, and awareness. He's a long strider that uses his frame to shield defenders from the ball and can easily generate separation at the top of his route.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='537245' first='Jayden' last='Marshall'] 5'11" 145, Crete Monee</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshall shows tight footwork, some oomph as a tackler, and has the ability to unlock his hips &amp; redirect. He can come up &amp; make tackles in space, breaks through the target in man coverage, and can accelerate out of his breaks. Held his own in varsity action all year long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->