IL Group of 5 Recruits That Stayed In-State

In part two of our three-part series highlighting in-state commits from the class of 2021, we will look at the lone group of 5 representative in the state of Illinois – Northern Illinois. The Huskies’ 2021 class currently ranks 4th in the MAC and has five signees and three verbal commits from IL. The in-state commits represent both sides of the ball and have the potential to make a big splash early on.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-43773 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/05/hampt-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="20218" first="Ethan" last="Hampton"], Aurora Christian: QB – The three-star out of Aurora may be NIU’s most prized recruit of its 2021 class. NIU is Hampton’s only FBS off, but it’s not for lack of production as he finished his junior year with 28 touchdowns and over 2,000 yards passing, to go along with nearly 600 yards rushing and an additional 4 touchdowns. The 6’3 Aurora Christian product showed advanced pocket presence his junior year, consistently finding ways to move up a level or laterally in the pocket to buy more time and throw his receivers open. If he can continue to evolve as a passer, we may be seeing Hampton under center for NIU sooner than later.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-45048 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/05/whit-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="20343" first="Brian" last="Whitsey"], Solorio: S – Throughout the course of his junior season Whitsey used his 6’2 length to constantly make plays in the Solorio secondary. He used his size to his advantage to win 50/50 balls and break on throws that otherwise would have been easy completions. He also proved he wasn’t afraid to come downhill and get involved with stopping the run. If he gains a little more control of his big frame and can loosen his hips. Whitsey has all the tools to make plays at the next level just like he did during his entire career at Solorio.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-44381 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/05/piere-300x196.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="196" />[player_tooltip player_id="20264" first="Mason" last="Pierre-Antoine"], Lincoln-Way East: WR - Pierre-Antoine was a big part of Lincoln-Way East’s 2019 undefeated state championship campaign. The long receiver showcased a strong set of hands that allowed him to consistently catch the ball out in front of his body (something pretty uncommon for a high school receiver). In addition to his reliable hands, Pierre-Antoine has the open field speed to break the occasional big play as well as the ability to get in and out of cuts to work himself open for his quarterbacks. With explosive plays being king in the MAC NIU and Pierre-Antoine have a chance to be a match made in heaven.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-44324 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/05/FJ8bIMTV_400x400-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="20255" first="Trey" last="Urwiler"], Batavia: ATH – If you’re 5’9 and still have multiple division one offers then it’s likely you’re also a pretty elite playmaker, and Urwiler was just that during his career at Batavia. With elite open-field speed and an ability to make you miss that rivals anyone in the state, the 71st ranked recruit in IL for the class of 2021 is my pick to have the most immediate impact of all NIU’s 2021 class. Urwiler played mostly as the outside Z receiver for Batavia but they lined him up all over the field and found multiple ways to get the ball in his hands throughout his junior year. With 8 TDs and a 16 YPC average, Urwiler is the definition of a playmaker, and I don’t anticipate that will change when he gets to campus next year.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-44759 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/05/jordan-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="20302" first="Trevon" last="Jordan"], Sterling: WDE – At 6’5 235 Jordan already has the size and length to compete with MAC offensive tackles. The Sterling product will need to learn to control his prototypical frame, but he shows good discipline in his run/pass dissection and flashes ability to use his hands to get off blockers and get to the QB. Once Jordan gets exposed to a college strength and conditioning program, he could develop into an impact player that NIU will be glad is on their side.     <img class="size-medium wp-image-44237 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/05/laws-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="20239" first="Tajheem" last="Lawson"], Marian Catholic: RB – The previous five players on this list have all signed their letters of intent, but Lawson is one of three that despite remaining verbally commited, have not yet signed. If Lawson decides to stick with his commit, then he will pair with Antario Brown - another running back from Savannah Georgia - to make what could be one of the most feared backfields in the entire MAC conference for years to come. As the 41st rated recruit in the state of Illinois Lawson would also be the highest rated Illinois player in the 2021 NIU class. With multiple D1 offers and position competition in his own recruiting class, it will be interesting to see if the 5’10 playmaker ends up signing with the huskies or backs out.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-44359 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/05/gumbs-e1597701446360-300x289.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="289" />[player_tooltip player_id="20261" first="George" last="Gumbs"], Simeon: WR – Like Lawson, the 6’4 Gumbs has plenty of other D1 options to consider before deciding to officially sign with NIU. The WR out of Simeon looks like a game-changing playmaker the second his 6’4 frame steps off the bus and with good open-field speed and surprising strength he lives up to the expectation once he’s on the field. NIU is the front runner for Gumbs’ services over the next four years, but they will have to fend off his multiple MAC offers to keep it that way.       [player_tooltip player_id="65111" first="Ronde" last="Worrels"], Princeton: ILB – At 6’0, 190 Worrels is undersized to play ILB at the D1 level, but his film suggests otherwise. Worrels is an excellent run stopper and proves his ability to take on interior linemen despite his lack of size. He also looks comfortable and fluid in pass coverage. The two-star is currently a verbal commit to NIU but they will need to win the recruiting battle against Air Force to keep him in-state.<img class="size-medium wp-image-28426 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/worrels-e1597961231506-259x300.jpg" alt="" width="259" height="300" />