Terrific turnout from a player and coaches perspective. Had 45-50 coaches from schools from 1AA thru D3 including several D2 schools as well. Had roughly 115-120 kids and was really impressed with the talent level.
Again this was a first year event so I really had no idea what the turnout was going to be. Fortunately we ended up with solid numbers and equally impressive was the amount of college coaches who came out. Was also surprised at how many college coaches just "dropped by" which was also great to see.
The feedback from the coaches and the kids was real positive. We basically had the kids do a warmup then broke them down into positions, did positional work then ended with one on ones. Had a good amount of skills including QB/WR plus a good number of DB's.
Admittedly I didn't spend as much time as I wanted to watch kids and I was running around for a large part of the night. But here are some kids who I felt really did well and stood out.
DL Ravon Woods OPRF- basically played behind All State DE Allen Stallings yet Woods was easily the best DL here. Has really good size quickness and power and at times was dominant in one on ones.
DL Joe Knudson Willowbrook- really high motor with good size and is very fluid. Also did well in one on ones and has upside. Maybe an inch or two short for sat the bigger level schools but will be a steal for many others.
DB Jalen Powe Warren- just a terrific player and athlete also did well in coverage and one on ones.
DB Dareil Lee Crowder Midwest Prep- easily one of the most physical and most aggressive defenders all night. Has good size and tools and will draw more offers soon.
OL Alfred Evans Westinghouse- no question one of the biggest and more athletic linemen here. My guess is Alfred is 6-foot-6 and say 300 pounds. Still very raw but has D1 level physical tools and upside, Developmental guy but a kid to watch.
WR Aaron McCaskill Hillcrest- had no idea about this kid before last night. Good size good speed and also has good hands as well.
RB/DB Zavier Barnes Carmel- just looked the part. Very good size and strength also ran well. Very high level type of athlete here.
QB Brandon Bauer LW East- one of I'd say 4-5 other QB's who did well. NAIA and some D2's looked on with a lot of interest.
WR Karon Keyes Glenbard East- I've watched Karon for a while now. Has great speed and burst and hands. Undersized kid who I'd stick in the slot and let him go.
QB Anthony Kitenens Romeoville- didn't get a ton of looks during the season but caught some eyes here. Strong kid who has a very strong and accurate arm.
WR Jeff Kamiensky South Elgin- Liked this kid since I saw the Storm earlier in the year. Runs good routes and had hands as well.
QB Austin Strilko LW Central- again another name that has been pretty solid since I saw him last summer. Solid all around QB who could end up playing well in say 1AA-D2 level.
QB Daytona Chandler Hononegah- is recovered from a in season collarbone injury and is still getting back. Throws it pretty well and has upside here.
QB Trey Cervantes Buffalo Grove- again part of a very solid QB group here who just hasn't been able to break thru to the offer level yet. Good sized kid who also is pretty fundamentally sound.
QB Jake AmRhein South Elgin- easily one of the top performers here. Did nothing but boost his stock in the eyes of several coaches. Was mainly a pocket passer for the Storm but showed good speed and quickness in drill work as well.
OL Hayden LaPointe DeKalb- a known name to me for awhile now. Does well in position and one on ones. Still could use a bit more bulk/strength but has the frame work top play at the 1AA-D2 level.
QB Trayvon Watson Simeon- terrific kid here with a high GPA and a high ACT. Could wind up playing a few different spots at the next level.
QB Joe Budmayr Marian CC- yet another solid QB here. Impressive touch and fundamentals
QB Dakota Turner Simeon- Everyone knows Dakota by now. Has a big arm and has the potential to play at the next level. I could see schools also take a flyer on him as say a TE or even a DL. Big frame sized kid here.
OL Fred Bush Richmond-Burton- honestly I just don't get it here. Great kid great size as well. Moves well is technically sound and coaches raved about him afterwards. Will end up at the D2 level and will play well there.
OL Quinn Polaski Lockport- another big body kid. has gotten stronger and definitely more aggressive since his junior year. Will also play at say D2 or NAIA level next fall and is a kid who can improve year to year. Has a lot of upside left.
OL Sean Pirece Grayslake North- more of an interior guy. Moves well good size and hands and feet. Drew several looks last night.
OL Bailey Boswell Wilmington- another quality kid here. Has good size and power and he also moves well. Interior guy at the next level and will do well at say the NAIA level.
Again this was a first year event so I really had no idea what the turnout was going to be. Fortunately we ended up with solid numbers and equally impressive was the amount of college coaches who came out. Was also surprised at how many college coaches just "dropped by" which was also great to see.
The feedback from the coaches and the kids was real positive. We basically had the kids do a warmup then broke them down into positions, did positional work then ended with one on ones. Had a good amount of skills including QB/WR plus a good number of DB's.
Admittedly I didn't spend as much time as I wanted to watch kids and I was running around for a large part of the night. But here are some kids who I felt really did well and stood out.
DL Ravon Woods OPRF- basically played behind All State DE Allen Stallings yet Woods was easily the best DL here. Has really good size quickness and power and at times was dominant in one on ones.
DL Joe Knudson Willowbrook- really high motor with good size and is very fluid. Also did well in one on ones and has upside. Maybe an inch or two short for sat the bigger level schools but will be a steal for many others.
DB Jalen Powe Warren- just a terrific player and athlete also did well in coverage and one on ones.
DB Dareil Lee Crowder Midwest Prep- easily one of the most physical and most aggressive defenders all night. Has good size and tools and will draw more offers soon.
OL Alfred Evans Westinghouse- no question one of the biggest and more athletic linemen here. My guess is Alfred is 6-foot-6 and say 300 pounds. Still very raw but has D1 level physical tools and upside, Developmental guy but a kid to watch.
WR Aaron McCaskill Hillcrest- had no idea about this kid before last night. Good size good speed and also has good hands as well.
RB/DB Zavier Barnes Carmel- just looked the part. Very good size and strength also ran well. Very high level type of athlete here.
QB Brandon Bauer LW East- one of I'd say 4-5 other QB's who did well. NAIA and some D2's looked on with a lot of interest.
WR Karon Keyes Glenbard East- I've watched Karon for a while now. Has great speed and burst and hands. Undersized kid who I'd stick in the slot and let him go.
QB Anthony Kitenens Romeoville- didn't get a ton of looks during the season but caught some eyes here. Strong kid who has a very strong and accurate arm.
WR Jeff Kamiensky South Elgin- Liked this kid since I saw the Storm earlier in the year. Runs good routes and had hands as well.
QB Austin Strilko LW Central- again another name that has been pretty solid since I saw him last summer. Solid all around QB who could end up playing well in say 1AA-D2 level.
QB Daytona Chandler Hononegah- is recovered from a in season collarbone injury and is still getting back. Throws it pretty well and has upside here.
QB Trey Cervantes Buffalo Grove- again part of a very solid QB group here who just hasn't been able to break thru to the offer level yet. Good sized kid who also is pretty fundamentally sound.
QB Jake AmRhein South Elgin- easily one of the top performers here. Did nothing but boost his stock in the eyes of several coaches. Was mainly a pocket passer for the Storm but showed good speed and quickness in drill work as well.
OL Hayden LaPointe DeKalb- a known name to me for awhile now. Does well in position and one on ones. Still could use a bit more bulk/strength but has the frame work top play at the 1AA-D2 level.
QB Trayvon Watson Simeon- terrific kid here with a high GPA and a high ACT. Could wind up playing a few different spots at the next level.
QB Joe Budmayr Marian CC- yet another solid QB here. Impressive touch and fundamentals
QB Dakota Turner Simeon- Everyone knows Dakota by now. Has a big arm and has the potential to play at the next level. I could see schools also take a flyer on him as say a TE or even a DL. Big frame sized kid here.
OL Fred Bush Richmond-Burton- honestly I just don't get it here. Great kid great size as well. Moves well is technically sound and coaches raved about him afterwards. Will end up at the D2 level and will play well there.
OL Quinn Polaski Lockport- another big body kid. has gotten stronger and definitely more aggressive since his junior year. Will also play at say D2 or NAIA level next fall and is a kid who can improve year to year. Has a lot of upside left.
OL Sean Pirece Grayslake North- more of an interior guy. Moves well good size and hands and feet. Drew several looks last night.
OL Bailey Boswell Wilmington- another quality kid here. Has good size and power and he also moves well. Interior guy at the next level and will do well at say the NAIA level.
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