Coach Big Pete Talks About Class Of 2024 Top Defensive Recruits In Illinois On The 2023 Watchlist
Coach Big Pete Talks Class of 2024 Watchlist Top Illinois Defensive Recruits and What you need to know and who you should look out for
As Of 3/31/23
TOP HEAVY IS THE THEME FOR THIS DEFENSIVE CLASS
CHECK OUT THE YOUTUBE VIDEO ON BOTTOM
REMEMBER- MORE NAMES WILL BE ADDED BY APRIL/MAY AND MONTHLY THIS IS A WATCHLIST NO RANKINGS, NAMES ARE NOT IN ORDER. REMEMBER THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS IN YOUR RECRUITING IS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL COACH
Other Coach Big Pete Watchlist Articles:
Coach Big Pete Talks About Top Underclassmen Recruits Of 2025 & 2026 Version 2023 Illinois Watchlist
ILLINOIS DEFENSIVE TACKLES CLASS OF 2024
(As Of 3/31/23 6:00AM)
IN NO ORDER
Tavon Rice Mount Carmel
Bennett Williams Princeton
Jordan Steward Centennial
Jordan Buckley Batavia
Dillian Johnson Joliet Catholic
Sirmaine Campbell Rich Township
Christopher Abihudi Hampshire
Justin Dutkiewicz Neuqua Valley
Porter Mihelich Burlington Central
Byron Olson Providence
Joe Kelly Loyola Academy
Johnathan Mayfield Hoffman Estates
Aidan Malone Aurora Christian
Lemmarr Thomas Oswego
Justin Scott St. Ignatius
Isaiah Grieff Normal Community
Darion Williams Homewood Flossmoor
(FULL ANALYSIS VIDEO ON BOTTOM)
Class Of 2024 DT Illinois Class Grade: C+
LAST YEAR Class Of 2023 Defensive Tackles Illinois Class Grade: C+
For now, the past three years now we have had a pool of disappointing classes of DTs. Not the talent, just the number of Defensive Tackles in Illinois. Very top-heavy talent class with not variation of talent. Luckily, we have one defensive tackle who is historic DT from the Land of Lincoln and its Justin Scott of St. Ignatius. The kid is the can't miss prospect that is that dude in the state of Illinois, Number 1 recruit in Illinois that has a strong chance to go down as one of the best in history of this pipeline. Dillian Johnson is the second-best DT recruit in Illinois multi-sport talent who also wrestles. Johnson creates mountains of offensive linemen and filling off gaps. Sirmaine, Bennett, Joe Kelly is my top 3 after Scott and Johnson. Jordan Steward and Isiah Grieff are both my fall risers to watch and looking forward to their full development.
Top 2 Defensive Tackles Ready To Explode On The Recruiting Scene
Porter Mihelich Central (BURLINGTON) - Porter is one of the more technically sound DTs in Illinois. Great job with ability to fill the gap and fight off the block. High on field IQ and could be huge riser this summer.
Johnathan Mayfield Hoffman Estates- You need to know Johnathan this Spring and could move up in the Top 30 state recruits for the class. Great athleticism (still very raw) from this young man, and not mention his ability to read and react to the play.
AGAIN AND AGAIN REMEMBER- MORE NAMES WILL BE ADDED BY APRIL/MAY DAILY AND MONTHLY THIS IS A WATCHLIST NO RANKINGS, NAMES ARE NOT IN ORDER REMEMBER THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS IN YOUR RECRUITING IS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL COACH
Recruiting Is 100% FREE - PAY FOR RECRUITING SERVICES ARE A SCAM
Illinois Defensive Ends & Edge Rushers Class of 2024
(As Of 3/31/23 6:00AM)
IN NO ORDER
Mikeshun Beeler Simeon
Eddie Tuerk Lyons Towship
William DePaepe Moline
Samir Senenat Glenbard North
Justin Lawton Crete-Monee
Christopher Roszak Taft
Aiden Gomez St. Patrick
Devan Van Ness Barrington
Dexter Niekamp Normal
Joe Barna Wheaton North
Ivan Moore Jr. Kenwood
Edward Kentra Hinsdale Central
Maverick Ohle Naperville Central
Caiden O'Neil Marian Catholic
Cody Heeringa Batavia
Ethan Aghakhan Stevenson
Ray Saffold St. Rita
Marquise Lightfoot Kenwood
Carlos Hazelwood Tinley Park
(FULL ANALYSIS VIDEO ON BOTTOM)
Class Of 2024 DEs/ERs Grade: B
LAST YEAR Class Of 2023 Defensive Ends Illinois Class Grade: B+
This year of pass rushers is weird one, being very top heavy in talent (just like DT class). We really don't have a lot of mid-level guys on this class but have a lot of Power 5 Guys. Marquise Lightfoot is the number one QB nightmare in the state of Illinois and his progressions from his sophomore season to junior season has been nothing but impressive. Eddie Tuerk, Mikeshun Beeler, William Depaepe round it off and are already in the national spotlight. Keep a very close eye on Carlos Hazelwood and Joe Barna both could be shooting up the ranks in this summer. Barna has been absolute terror for the Falcons defensive line giving Dukane OL night terrors.
2 Defensives Ends Ready To Explode On The Recruiting Scene:
Samir Senenat Glenbard North- Samir was defensive star when he was at WWS and made a name for himself. Tremendous upside for his growth and graded out at the Top 10 Percentile for IHSA DLs.
Dexter Niekamp Normal Community- Could have a huge summer, and his overall potential has him on the FCS level. Do not sleep on Dexter for the upcoming season.
2 Defensive Ends People Are Sleeping On
Maverick Ohle Naperville Central- Gym rat, and a force on the edge. Aggressive off the snap and makes great extension off the OL.
Aiden Gomez St. Patrick- Underrated edge rusher who exemplifies what you want in a young pass rusher.
Illinois Linebackers Class of 2024
(As Of 3/31/23 6:00AM)
IN NO ORDER
Cael Brezina Downers Grove North
Rocco DiLeonardi Geneva
Jameson Clark Lockport
Joey Coveliers Elk Grove
Cole Ostendorf York
Cooper Caraway Normal
Ethan Curl Paris
Blake Salvino Glenbard East
Tim Wessels Harlem
Ethan Hogg Loyola Academy
Connor Sullivan Casey-Westfield
Matt Murphy Naperville North
Chase Litwiller Olympia
Grady Catanzano Prospect
Kennarius Chandler Kankakee
Mar'sean Cohen Simeon
Jack McGrath Loyola Academy
Tommy Diamond Geneva
Ben Starmann Glenbard West
Brendan Flanagan Nazareth
Ben Alvarez Yorkville
Christian Kuta Naperville Central
Liam Wiley Warren Township
Dominic Dixon East St. Louis
Tristyn Hynes De La Salle
Parker Startz Mount Carmel
Jack Lesher Marmion Academy
Bryce Harrison East St. Louis
Dalton Brown Edwardsville
(FULL ANALYSIS VIDEO ON BOTTOM)
Class Of 2024 Linebackers Illinois Class Grade: B
LAST YEAR Class Of 2023 Linebackers Illinois Class Grade: B-
Unlike like last year, this year's class features a lot more potential and rawer athleticism. We have a lot more coverage backers that last year along with the beloved hybrid inside linebackers. Brezina headlines the crew this year out of Downers Grove North. Hogg, Wessels, Chandler, Startz, Harrison, Hynes, Dixon are playmakers of chaos that college coaches would love to have. Hogg is a personal favorite of my mine and could hit that regional spotlight going into the summer. Alot more size than we had last class of linebackers.
2 Linebackers Ready To Explode On The Recruiting Scene:
Matt Murphy Naperville North- Murphy continues to impress me and just makes plays on the run. Looking for him to have a big senior season for the huskies.
Cooper Caraway Normal Community- More college coaches need to know about this kid. Has been nothing but a superb linebacker, always makes the tackle.
2 Linebackers You Should Not Sleep On
Jody Coveliers Elk Grove- Jody is the real deal and had a huge junior season proves he needs more looks. Kid is a multi-faceted linebacker that everyone needs to know.
Cole Ostendorf York- Just a tackling machine, and great on field IQ. Fight off linemen and puts up big numbers last season.
Illinois Defensive Backs Class of 2024
(As Of 3/31/23 6:00AM)
IN NO ORDER
Jordan Suggs O'Fallon
Charles Miles Mount Carmel
Tyson Jakubowicz Marian Central Catholic
Jamari West Chicago Hope Academy
Tyrone Kennedy Jr. Kankakee
Miles Miskel Neuqua Valley
Khalil Nichols OPRF
Corin Greenwall St. Francis
Devion Reynolds Carmel
Taylor Powell East St. Louis
Mako Grant Kenwood
Harlon May Carmel
Jaion Jackson East St. Louis
Austin Alexander Marian Catholic
Leontre Bradford East St. Louis
(FULL ANALYSIS ON VIDEO BELOW)
Class Of 2024 Illinois Defensive Backs Class Grade: C+
Last Year Class Of 2023 Illinois Defensive Backs Class Grade: B
Again, another high-level talent class this year with little or no signs of getting better. Missing a lot of mid-range DBs for this class that get those FCS offers. I saw tremendous secondary play but saw a lot of broken coverages on game film from this class. This class that is raw especially in technique, too much of dependance on speed. East St. Louis and Carmel are killing it in this year's class. But lack of key safety play is what hurts this class. We have got FBS talent for this class, but not enough scoring on high percentile that is needed,
3 Best DBs In This Class:
Austin Alexander Marian Catholic- Tremendous acceleration and ability to read QB. It makes Austin an BCS commodity.
Charles Miles Mount Carmel- Great hip tracing, and overall ability to read the route is what makes him special.
Leontre Bradford East St. Louis- Staple for the Flyer secondary, kid is going to be a beast in college.
2 DBs Ready To Explode On Scene In Illinois:
Harlon May Carmel- Making a huge surge this Spring and will be a riser later this summer. Harlon continues to progress and is making strides with his coverage technique.
Jameri West Chicago Hope Academy- Next big Hope recruit that you need to know about. Jameri on-field IQ is what sets him apart.
REMEMBER- MORE NAMES WILL BE ADDED BY APRIL/MAY AND MONTHLY THIS IS A WATCHLIST NO RANKINGS, NAMES ARE NOT IN ORDER. REMEMBER THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS IN YOUR RECRUITING IS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL COACH
Watch Video Below For Full Analysis About Top Illinois Defensive Recruits
Remember Deep Dish Football Is Just Not About Recruiting
But About The Love Of The Game Of IHSA Football
RESPECT THE GAME