Hunter Niklos Hunter Niklos 6'1" | 170 lbs | ATH Yorkville | 2026 State IL stands out as a non-traditional prospect due to his participation in 8-man football at Parkview Christian. Despite the unique setting, Niklos excels by taking on a multitude of positions, demonstrating his exceptional versatility as an athlete. He is a tall athlete who is fluid and explosive, capable of easily transitioning to multiple positions at the next level. Niklos has a high ceiling and is expected to continue developing in the next few years.

2026er Hunter Niklos Hunter Niklos 6'1" | 170 lbs | ATH Yorkville | 2026 State IL already sports an impressive resume coming out of the Illinois 8-man football ranks and Parkview Christian Academy in Yorkville. Niklos was a two-way starter on the football team as a freshman who also started on the school’s soccer squad during the fall and the basketball team during the winter, the 6’1, 170 lber. is the son of legendary Western Illinois fullback/TE J.R., who was a 6-year NFL vet, and he’s the nephew of two former collegiate All-Americans on top of it all. Young Hunter has some game, and brings good speed to both sides of the ball as a WR and cornerback. He can take the top off a defense, shows some quickness when creating separation at the LOS in his releases, and has some solid contact balance when he’s got the ball in his hand. Defensively, he brings physicality along with that speed, and I like his range, closing speed, and some real efficiency at avoiding blocks out on the edge of his defense. The speed still stands out the most, and I think it’s fair to say that Hunter, just like his old man before him, has a bright future on the gridiron.