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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:

















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








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