The Hersey senior burst onto the scene last year, as he earned All-State honors with 861 yards and 9 touchdowns on the year. Through 5 weeks, Grove is on track to nearly double his output from last year. The Northwestern commit current leads the state with 726 receiving yards. Additionally, he has 7 touchdowns on the year. The shifty athlete, who excels at both wide receiver and safety, is a threat every time he touches the ball. Whether its on a punt return, a vertical route, or a screen, Grove has potential to score on nearly every play.

John Hersey High School has some heavyweight prospects and players for this upcoming season, and leading the skill positions is All-State selection Carson Grove Carson Grove 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Hersey | 2024 State IL , a 5’11, 170 lb. standout in all three phases. Last fall, Grove posted 40 catches for 861 yards (21.5 YPC) and 9 TDs, 10 rushes for 84 yards and 2 TDs, seven kickoffs for 279 yards and 2 TDs, eight punt returns for 259 yards and 2 TDs, and 30 tackles, 4 INTs, and 4 PBUs. Now that’s some production! The three-phase baller has a healthy list of offers that includes Yale, Princeton, Navy, Northern Iowa, Dartmouth, Bucknell, Wofford, New Hampshire, Lehigh, North Dakota State, Fordham, Kent State, Lafayette, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Illinois State, Indiana State, Central Michigan, and Akron, all since early February of 2023. The Arlington Heights product sees the field well and makes plays no matter where he’s at, and reads, diagnoses, and makes decisive decisions quickly. He’s got strong COD skills, which come in handy with ball in hand or when reading and reacting from his safety spot, creating separation at the LOS or in his routes, and when making people miss as a returner. I also like how Grove triggers and flies upfield in run support and closes space to get into the hips of a ball carrier, plays the ball well in the air, and he’s got the top-end speed and elusiveness to create splash plays offensively. There’s a ton he can do on the gridiron and I would honestly be very excited about his future whether he ends up in the MAC, Ivy, or Missouri Valley, based on his current offers. I could see his stock rising during the fall as well. Keep an eye on both Hersey and Carson Grove Carson Grove 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Hersey | 2024 State IL this fall!

Another Hersey product coming in at number 2 in our MSL East rankings, Grove is a true 2 way player who is equally impressive on both sides of the ball. As a football player, his athleticism and ability to get in and out of breaks at safety and wide receiver are next level… not to mention he is one of the best kick and punt returners in the state. Grove has break away speed and an elusiveness in the open field that makes him a threat every time he touches the ball. At wide receiver, he is a smooth route runner, vertical threat, and willing blocker. Be on the lookout for Grove next fall as he should light it up at several positions on the field.

The John Hersey High School wide receiver and DB had an All-State season in 2022 and posted 40 catches for 861 yards and 9 TDs, 10 rushes for 84 yards and 2 TDs, seven kick returns for 279 yards and 2 TDs, and eight punt returns for 259 yards and 2 TDs. Additionally, he tallied 30 tackles, 4 INTs, and 4 PBUs on the defensive side of the ball, and has seen his in-person production pay off with Akron, Central Michigan, Indiana State, Illinois State, South Dakota State, South Dakota, and Lafayette College offers rolling in since the beginning of February. The University of Minnesota also invited him to a spring practice in March and/or April. When Grove gets to top speed and blows by opponents it’s a sight to see, and helps him turn routine returns, wide receiver screens, and general receptions into massive plays and explosive touchdowns. Grove can also cut at top speed and high points the football well on either side of the ball. I couldn’t believe how many opponents left him in single coverage last fall. That speed also helps him come downhill and close on ball carriers like he’s shot out of a cannon, as well as patrol the MOF and show off a ton of range in pass defense. Speed is, and always will be, the name of the game, and Grove has it in spades.