This may be the golden age of Illinois high school football. The state, and specifically the Chicago area, is producing truly elite players at multiple positions and more high-quality college recruits than ever before.
There are two five-star players in the senior class according to 247Sports.com: Montini’s Israel Abrams and St. Patrick’s David Folorunsho. Bolingbrook’s Darieon Prescott and Kam McGee of Brother Rice are five-star players in the junior class.
The senior class features six players in the nation’s top 100, and the junior class has seven. Two of the top five senior quarterbacks in the country play in the area (Abrams and Hersey’s Jake Nawrot).
More than 50 players in the senior class have already committed to Power Four schools.
High school football in Chicago is booming, and competition for the state’s eight state titles will be fierce. Here’s a look at the preseason Super 25.
1. Mount Carmel
There is college talent all over the field for the four-time defending state champs. The Caravan has won five state titles in Jordan Lynch’s tenure and used a new, inexperienced starting quarterback in four of those seasons. Senior Ryder Startz is stepping into that role this season. He’s surrounded by weapons on offense, and both lines are exceptionally strong. Linebacker Roman Igwebuike (Notre Dame), defensive back Tavares Harrington (Michigan), receiver Quentin Burrell (Michigan) and junior receiver Marshaun Thornton are all among the best players in the country.
Top-ranked Mount Carmel reloads for five-peat with 19 future college football players
2. Brother Rice
The defending Class 7A champs will lean heavily on defensive line stars Kam McGee and Brayden Parks (Notre Dame) in the early going. Running back Jameson Davis (Army) and tight end Jack McNamara will benefit from a strong offensive line. Coach Casey Quedenfeld will play two starting quarterbacks: senior Rocco Galasso and freshman Sam Holcomb, who already has a scholarship offer from Michigan.
3. Loyola
Coach John Holecek has the pieces in place to craft an excellent defense and the offense is loaded with some of the most highly recruited young players in the state: quarterback Matthew Lee, running back Jayden Garrett and receiver Jordan McKinley.
No. 3 Loyola shakes off last season, looks ahead with talented core and return of coach John Holecek
4. Montini
Abrams, possibly the state’s most exciting player, has led Montini to 24 consecutive wins and back-to-back state titles. The pieces are in place for another championship run with two large, powerful lines and an experienced, solid group of receivers.
Israel Abrams plans to lead No. 4 Montini to a championship three-peat
5. Nazareth
The Roadrunners fell short of a four-peat last season, but this should be one of coach Tim Racki’s best teams. Only Mount Carmel has more college talent. Keep an eye on junior quarterback JJ Chapman, a transfer from Wisconsin who impressed over the summer.
No. 5 Nazareth reloads for 6A title run with a talented transfer QB and the dynamic Sakalas twins
6. Oswego
Fifteen starters return for the Class 8A runners up. But the Panthers won’t surprise anyone this season. The offensive line, with returners Ryan Stork, Gabriel Guzman, Nathan Overstreet and Alejandro Acosta, should be a major strength. Running back Ammar Banire and defensive back Dontrell Young (Iowa State) are dynamic talents.
Experienced No. 6 Oswego eyes a return to the state title game
7. St. Francis
The Spartans picked up seven transfers over the summer. Possible star quarterback Jadon Wilson is the most important of the bunch. Senior running back Tivias Caldwell Jr. returns and six starters back on the defense should provide a solid core as the offense builds chemistry and works towards its potential.
Will East St. Louis transfer QB Jadon Wilson blossom into a star for No. 7 St. Francis?
8. Batavia
Returning quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren (Wyoming) threw for 2,708 yards and 31 TDs to lead the Bulldogs to the 7A semis last season. He’ll be throwing to the best group of receivers in school history this season. Linebackers Jack Brown, Gavin McElvie and Amaree Daniels return to lead a fast, aggressive defense.
‘Get your popcorn ready’ because it is state title or bust for No. 8 Batavia
9. Bolingbrook
The Raiders can match the Catholic League powers in terms of raw size and ability. Defensive end Prescott (6-4, 255 pounds) recently committed to Notre Dame and is a consensus top 20 talent in the national class of 2028. Running back TJ Lewis (Oklahoma State) scored 22 touchdowns and accounted for 1,808 yards as a junior. Eighteen starters return from a team that was one play way from the 8A semis.
No. 9 Bolingbrook has the talent and experience to compete with private-school powers
10. Hersey
Nawrot threw for a school record of 3,078 yards and 41 touchdowns as a junior. The 6-4, 200-pound Kentucky recruit is the No. 5 quarterback in the country, according to Rivals and 247Sports. The Huskies defense returns nine experienced players from a 7A quarterfinalist.
Kentucky recruit Jake Nawrot, one of the best quarterbacks in the country, leads No. 10 Hersey
11. Maine South
Quarterback Jameson Purcell (Indiana) threw for more than 3,000 yards and 41 touchdowns last season. Toledo recruit Vuk Strbak heads an experienced offensive line. Senior linebacker Matthew Schlenhardt (Syracuse) is the only defensive starter back and will need to lead a young group.
12. Glenbard West
Senior quarterback AJ Rayford is expected to lead the Hilltoppers’ offense to new heights. Tight end Brady Johnson and offensive lineman Josiah Wallace are both Northwestern recruits, and the running game is strong with Bryce Ellens and Amari Harris. The defense is young, but defensive back Jaylen McMiller is a playmaker.
13. Providence
Big things are possible for last season’s 5A runners up. Broden Mackert and Brayden McKay combined for 2,556 yards rushing yards and 35 TDs last season. Offensive lineman Bryce Tencza returns to lead that charge, and junior Dominic Vita is one of the area’s most physically imposing quarterbacks.
14. Geneva
The Vikings should have a major rebound year behind quarterback Ben Peterson and receiver Bennett Konkey (Illinois). Most of last season’s starters return on offense, and four are back on defense.
15. St. Rita
Running back Brandon Johnson Jr. (Lindenwood) will benefit from a strong offensive line. Keep an eye on defensive lineman Ohimai Ozolua (Michigan State), a transfer from Romeoville.
16. Barrington
Lamar Osterhues is one of the state’s most effective running backs, and the Broncos return 10 starters from a team that advanced to the 8A quarterfinals last season.
17. York
The Dukes could have one of the area’s strongest defenses, with eight starters returning led by defensive end Owen Roberts (Purdue). Senior quarterback Zack Assaad picked up valuable experience last season.
18. Lincoln-Way East
The Griffins lost a ton from last year, but coach Rob Zvonar’s program has always reloaded quickly. Mason Halliman (Illinois) will lead a strong offensive line that should provide some stability. Safety Charlie Palmer and linebacker Colton Zvonar lead a lot of new faces on defense.
19. Kankakee
Phillip Turner is healthy after missing the playoffs last year, and the senior quarterback could be one of the season’s breakout stars. He’s already accounted for 40 TDs in his career. The defense should be strong.
20. Downers Grove North
The core group that led to impressive success over the past few seasons has graduated, but the offensive line remains strong and quarterback Kevin Jay, tight end Jacob Vroman and linebacker Baker Glomb are impact players.
21. Prospect
Quarterback Jackson Cacini (EIU) and running back Matthew Donnelly head an explosive experienced offense and five starters return from last season’s effective defense.
22. Carmel
Trae Taylor moved on but a load of talent remains, led by lineman Wyatt VanBoening, linebacker Jameer Miles and dynamic junior running backs Jaquel Edmonds and Jorden Moore.
23. Sandburg
Last year’s success was a burst of confidence for the program, and the offense is experienced with quarterback Sean Ruisz, running back Quinn Durkin and receiver Lucas Matykiewicz.
24. Fenwick
Iowa recruit Jake Thies is a force all over the field, but the defending 6A champs will depend on a lot of new faces. Senior Jimmy Bonakdar is back from an injury and should be a major contributor.
25. Lyons
Ten starters return from a second-round playoff team, including running back EJ Kuhlman and tight end Owen Matela (Miami Ohio).