Who Were The Top Defensive Prospects at the PRZ IL Showcase?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, May 6th, the Prep Redzone Prospect Tour made a stop in Barrington, Illinois to see some of the Land of Lincoln's top prospects. The event was filled with talent from the 2024, 2025, and 2026 classes. The skill levels ranged from prospects with division one offers to high-level sleepers. The prospects featured below were among the top performers on the defensive side of the football this weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><em><strong>DL</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503737' first='Tyler' last='Fortis'] Maine South, 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has good size, an adequate first step, he plays with low pads and has some slip at the point of attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735502' first='Jonathan' last='Hayes'] Montini, 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shows explosive change of direction as a rusher, he can dip &amp; get low on inside slants and plays with violent hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='537250' first='Lemmarr' last='Thomas'] Oswego, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong as an ox, he's got solid quickness for a man who's two hundred and eighty pounds &amp; has a gassed-up motor ready to go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801877' first='Lesroy' last='Tittle'] Nazareth, 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His speed gives interior offensive linemen issues, he has plenty of scheme versatility, and knows how to retrace in his rush lane if he gets too far upfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><em>LB</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>John Mcdonald, Eureka, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can close ground in a hurry, takes calculated angles to the football, and has the recovery speed to play off-man against speedier wideouts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401622' first='Logan' last='Abrams'] Cary Grove, 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A young buck that proved he can run, he shows great balance &amp; body control, he's got sideline-to-sideline range, and is quite sticky in man coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='327602' first='Trevon' last='Hall'] Centennial, 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quality mixture of size &amp; physicality, he's got loose hips for easy transitions in zone coverage and he can easily run with #3 up the seam.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Timotei Dan, Lake Forst, 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dan shows great instincts, he can easily accelerate out of his breaks and is a natural at making plays in space on his own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><em><strong>DB</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaiah Houi, Hononegah, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tested well, clocking a 4.63 forty-yard dash, a 4.37 short shuttle, and a 9'2" broad jump. He's got fantastic footwork and has the leaping ability to go up &amp; go get the football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='354245' first='Corin' last='Greenwell'] St. Francis, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has great vertical stature, long arms, can easily transition to a lateral run, and knows how to widen a receiver's release. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stephon Gardner, Lincoln Way-East, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He shoots his hand on PBUs rather than swatting, he'll run to the target's near hip before looking back to the football, and has oily hips.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edward Mcclain Jr., Nazareth, 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A competitive defensive back with great instincts, terrific ball skills, and the confidence to be left on an island alone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marlin Jeffries, North Chicago, 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Could play numerous positions on the football field, but he showed out at defensive back. He's under control in his pedal, reads routes &amp; can quickly diagnose, and has no hitches coming out of his breaks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->