With the 2016 IHSA football season on the horizon, CSNChicago.com Preps contributor Edgy Tim unveiled his EDGYTIM.com Illinois Class of 2017 Top 60 recruit rankings.
A few items of note: Out of the top 60 recruits listed, only 12 remain uncommitted at this point. It’s a staggeringly high number compared to the past few recruiting classes. In more than a few cases, academics remain an issue from some of the names listed both as uncommitted and committed recruits.
Position of strength? 14 out of the 60 listed are defensive linemen. Throw in Peoria’s Kendrick Green, who has also drawn offers as a defensive tackle, and that makes 15. The wide receivers are also strong in this class — especially at the top of the rankings.
[PREPS: Edgy Tim's Countdown to Kickoff series]
Position of concern? Once again, quarterbacks seem to be getting a rough ride here in Illinois. Jacobs' Chris Katrenick (Bowling Green), Marian Catholic’s Cam Thomas (Illinois) and East St Louis’ Rey Estes (Missouri) are the only three quarterbacks to crack the Top 60. The remaining group could also find tough sledding at the FCS level. I've spoken to several in-state FCS coaches who currently have no in-state quarterbacks listed at the top of their recruiting boards.
1. Al Epenesa, DE, Edwardsville (Iowa)
2. Jeff Thomas, WR, East St. Louis (Undecided)
3. Isaiah Robertson, ATH, Neuqua Valley (Notre Dame)
4. Kevin Jarvis, OG, Maine South (Michigan State)
5. Cole Kmet, TE, St. Viator (Notre Dame)
6. Ricky Smalling, WR, Brother Rice (Illinois)
7. Dalton Wagner, OT, Richmond-Burton (Oklahoma)
8. Jake Marwede, TE, Loyola Academy (Duke)
9. Izayah Green-May, DE, Bolingbrook (Wisconsin)
10. Jacub Panasiuk, DL, Lake Park (Michigan State)
11. Vederian Lowe, OT, Rockford Auburn (Illinois)
12. Olalere Oladipo, DE, Huntley (Undecided)
13. Kendall Smith, ATH, Bolingbrook (Illinois)
14. Micah Awodiran, ILB, Marist (Yale)
15. Tyler Jost, OL, Libertyville (Iowa State)
16. Logan Christopherson, TE, Lemont (Missouri)
17. Ivory Kelly-Martin, RB, Oswego East (Iowa)
18. Christopher Bell, WR, Bishop McNamara (Western Michigan)
19. Kendrick Green, OL/DL, Peoria (Undecided)
20. Joshua Maize, DE, Deerfield (Undecided)
21. Chris Katrenick, QB, Jacobs (Bowling Green)
22. Isaac Hawn, OT, St. Charles North (NIU)
23. Camron Harrell, ATH, Bradley (Iowa)
24. Cameron Thomas, QB, Marian Catholic (Illinois)
25. Marc Mondesir, OLB, St. Rita (Illinois)
26. Jace James, WR, Glenbard North (Northwestern)
27. Cameron Ruiz, DB, Lakes (Northwestern)
28. John Michael Schmitz, OG, Homewood-Flossmoor (Western Michigan)
29. John Mitchell, DT, Crete-Monee (Undecided)
30. Robert Topps III, DB, Marist (Kansas)
31. Eric Rooks, ATH, De La Salle (Undecided)
32. Jordan Rowell, RB/S, Immaculate Conception (NIU)
33. Ian Swenson, DB, Loyola Academy (Connecticut)
34. Caylon May, DT, Rich Central (Undecided)
35. Devonte Dunn, DT, Nazareth Academy (Toledo)
36. Prince Walker, RB, Montini Catholic (Western Michigan)
37. Rey Estes, QB/ATH, East St. Louis (Missouri)
38. Tyrice Ritchie, WR, Homewood-Flossmoor (Undecided)
39. Bill Kuduk, OG, Marist (Kansas State)
40. Chris Elmore, DT, Phillips (Western Michigan)
41. Jamezz Kimbrough, OL, Homewood-Flossmoor (Central Michigan)
42. Joe Spivak, DT, Montini Catholic (Undeciced)
43. Dylan Deatherage, OT, Bishop McNamamra (Western Michigan)
44. Jackson Perkins, DE, Barrington (Navy)
45. Mitch West, DB, Montini Catholic (Purdue)
46. Jawon Denton, LB, Morgan Park (NIU)
47. Noah Hickcox, DE, Rockford Boylan (Western Michigan)
48. Dexter Warren, S, Phillips (NIU)
49. Michael Kennedy, OLB, Mount Carmel (NIU)
50. Marcus Hayes, DB, Rockford East (Western Michigan)
51. Owen Piche, ATH, Neuqua Valley (Navy)
52. Jordan Nettles, RB/DB, Romeoville (NIU)
53. Juawan Treadwell, DB, Crete-Monee (Undecided)
54. Jordan Brown, DE, Lemont (Air Force)
55. Chris Sampleton, DE/TE, Nazareth Academy (Yale)
56. Collin Stallworth, WR, Rochester (Undecided)
57. Phazione McClurge, DB, Mount Carmel (NDSU)
58. Jaylon Bester, RB, Belleville Althoff (Miami OH)
59. Dorion Pollard, OLB, Hinsdale Central (Ball State)
60. Trey Telez, OLB, Lincoln-Way West (Undecided)