O’Brien Unveils Preseason Super 25: See Who Made the Cut
Illinois High School Football: The Golden Age and Preseason Super 25 Rankings
IMPORTANT POINT: The Chicago area is experiencing what experts call a "golden age" of high school football—producing more elite players and college recruits than ever before!
Why This Season Is So Special
Imagine if your local playground suddenly had the best basketball players in the entire country showing up to play. That’s basically what’s happening with Illinois high school football right now—especially in the Chicago area!
The Numbers Don’t Lie
- Two 5-star seniors (the highest rating possible):
Israel Abrams (Montini) & David Folorunsho (St. Patrick) - Two 5-star juniors:
Darieon Prescott (Bolingbrook) & Kam McGee (Brother Rice) - 6 seniors ranked in the national Top 100
- 7 juniors ranked in the national Top 100
- Two of the top 5 quarterbacks in the ENTIRE COUNTRY play right here (Abrams & Jake Nawrot)
- 50+ seniors already committed to "Power Four" colleges (the biggest, most competitive college conferences)
WHAT’S A "POWER FOUR" SCHOOL?
Think of college football like a ladder. The "Power Four" are the four biggest, strongest conferences at the very top: the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, and ACC. Getting an offer from these schools is like getting invited to the VIP section!
How the Rankings Work: The "Super 25"
The Sun-Times Super 25 ranks the best 25 teams in the Chicago area regardless of school size.
SCHOOL SIZES EXPLAINED (ELI5):
Illinois sorts schools by enrollment (how many students they have):
- 8A = Biggest schools (like huge public schools)
- 7A, 6A, 5A… = Progressively smaller
- Private schools (like Mount Carmel, Brother Rice) often play in higher classes than their enrollment would suggest because they draw athletes from wider areas
There are 8 different state championships (one for each class), so a tiny school and a huge school both have a path to glory!
The Top 10: Championship Contenders
These teams aren’t just good—they’re loaded with future college stars.
1. Mount Carmel (The Kings of the Hill)
Four-time defending champs going for a historic FIVE-PEAT!
- Coach: Jordan Lynch (5 state titles in his tenure)
- Secret Weapon: They’ve won with new, inexperienced QBs in 4 of those 5 titles!
- This Year’s QB: Senior Ryder Startz steps in
- College-Bound Stars (19 total!):
- Roman Igwebuike (LB) → Notre Dame
- Tavares Harrington (DB) → Michigan
- Quentin Burrell (WR) → Michigan
- Marshaun Thornton (JR, WR) → One of the best in the country
- Strength: Both offensive & defensive lines are "exceptionally strong"
DEEP DIVE: Mount Carmel reloads for five-peat with 19 future college football players
2. Brother Rice (Defending 7A Champs)
Built like a tank on the defensive line!
- Coach: Casey Quedenfeld
- The "Twin Towers" of Defense:
- Kam McGee (JR, DL) → Named #1 junior prospect in the COUNTRY → Notre Dame commit
- Brayden Parks (SR, DL) → Notre Dame commit
- Offense:
- RB Jameson Davis (Army commit)
- TE Jack McNamara
- TWO QBs: Senior Rocco Galasso + Freshman Sam Holcomb (already has Michigan offer!)
- Strategy: Lean on defense early while offense finds rhythm
DEEP DIVE: Kam McGee leads No. 2 Brother Rice’s title defense
3. Loyola (The "Academy" with Athletes)
Coach John Holecek returns with a loaded roster.
- Coach: John Holecek (back for another run)
- Offensive "Big Three" (all highly recruited youngsters):
- QB Matthew Lee → The conductor
- RB Jayden Garrett → The engine
- WR Jordan McKinley → The playmaker
- Identity: Elite defense + explosive young offense = scary good
4. Montini (The Two-Time Champs Hunting a Three-Peat)
Led by possibly the most exciting player in the state.
- Israel Abrams (SR, QB) → 5-star, Top 5 national QB → 24 straight wins, 2 straight titles
- Formula: Massive, powerful lines + experienced receivers + Abrams’ magic
- Goal: Join the rare "three-peat" club
DEEP DIVE: Israel Abrams plans to lead Montini to championship three-peat
5. Nazareth (The Road Warriors)
Fell one game short of a four-peat last year—now reloaded.
- Coach: Tim Racki (one of the best in the state)
- New Toy: JJ Chapman (JR, QB) → Transfer from Wisconsin who "impressed all summer"
- Dynamic Duo: The Sakalas twins (Hank & ?) — double trouble!
- Talent Level: "Only Mount Carmel has more college talent"
DEEP DIVE: Nazareth reloads with transfer QB and Sakalas twins
6. Oswego (The Experienced Public School Power)
15 starters back from the 8A state runner-up team!
- No Sneaking Up: "Won’t surprise anyone this season"
- Offensive Line Fortress: 4 returning starters (Stork, Guzman, Overstreet, Acosta)
- Playmakers:
- RB Ammar Banire
- DB Dontrell Young → Iowa State commit
- Goal: Finish the job and win the 8A title
DEEP DIVE: Oswego eyes return to state title game
7. St. Francis (The Transfer Portal Winners)
Added SEVEN transfers this summer—chemistry is the only question.
- The Prize: Jadon Wilson (QB) → Transfer from East St. Louis, potential star
- Returning Star: RB Tivias Caldwell Jr. (SR)
- Defense: 6 starters back = solid core
- Challenge: New offense needs time to "build chemistry"
DEEP DIVE: Will Jadon Wilson blossom into a star for St. Francis?
8. Batavia ("State Title or Bust")
Coach’s quote says it all: "Get your popcorn ready!"
- QB Michael Vander Luitgaren (SR) → Wyoming commit
- Last year: 2,708 yards, 31 TDs → Led team to 7A semifinals
- Best Receiver Group in School History (per coaches)
- Defense: Fast, aggressive, led by LB trio Jack Brown, Gavin McElvie, Amaree Daniels
- Mindset: Championship or disappointment—no middle ground
DEEP DIVE: State title or bust for Batavia
9. Bolingbrook (The Public School That Matches Private Powers)
Size, speed, and a Notre Dame commit on the edge.
- Darieon Prescott (JR, DE) → 6’4", 255 lbs → Notre Dame commit → Top 20 nationally (Class of 2028)
- RB TJ Lewis (SR) → Oklahoma State commit → 22 TDs, 1,808 yards as a junior
- Experience: 18 starters return from a team one play away from 8A semifinals
- Statement: "Can match Catholic League powers in raw size and ability"
DEEP DIVE: Bolingbrook has talent to compete with private-school powers
10. Hersey (The QB Factory)
Home to one of the nation’s elite passers.
- Jake Nawrot (SR, QB) → Kentucky commit → 6’4", 200 lbs
- #5 QB in the COUNTRY (Rivals & 247Sports)
- School Record: 3,078 yards, 41 TDs as a junior
- Defense: 9 experienced starters back from 7A quarterfinalist
- Weapon: WR Jaxon Saint Paul (big-play threat)
DEEP DIVE: Kentucky recruit Jake Nawrot leads Hersey
Teams 11–25: The "Dangerous" Tier
DON’T SLEEP ON THESE TEAMS! Any of these could crash the title party.
| Rank | School | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Maine South | QB Jameson Purcell (Indiana) → 3,000+ yds, 41 TDs; OL Vuk Strbak (Toledo); LB Matthew Schlenhardt (Syracuse) only D starter back |
| 12 | Glenbard West | QB AJ Rayford; TE Brady Johnson (NU); OL Josiah Wallace (NU); RBs Bryce Ellens & Amari Harris; Young D but DB Jaylen McMiller is a playmaker |
| 13 | Providence | 5A runners-up; RBs Broden Mackert & Brayden McKay = 2,556 yds, 35 TDs; OL Bryce Tencza; JR QB Dominic Vita = "physically imposing" |
| 14 | Geneva | Big rebound year expected; QB Ben Peterson; WR Bennett Konkey (Illinois); Most O starters back + 4 D starters back |
| 15 | St. Rita | RB Brandon Johnson Jr. (Lindenwood) behind strong OL; DL Ohimai Ozolua (Michigan St) transfer from Romeoville |
| 16 | Barrington | RB Lamar Osterhues = one of state’s best; 10 starters back from 8A quarterfinalist |
| 17 | York | Maybe area’s best defense? 8 starters back led by DE Owen Roberts (Purdue); QB Zack Assaad experienced |
| 18 | Lincoln-Way East | Lost a ton but "always reloads quickly"; OL Mason Halliman (Illinois); New D led by S Charlie Palmer & LB Colton Zvonar |
| 19 | Kankakee | QB Phillip Turner healthy = breakout candidate (40 career TDs); Strong defense |
| 20 | Downers Grove North | Core graduated but OL strong; QB Kevin Jay; TE Jacob Vroman; LB Baker Glomb |
| 21 | Prospect | Explosive O: QB Jackson Cacini (EIU) + RB Matthew Donnelly; 5 D starters back |
| 22 | Carmel | Lost Trae Taylor but OL Wyatt VanBoening, LB Jameer Miles, JR RBs Jaquel Edmonds & Jorden Moore remain |
| 23 | Sandburg | Confidence high; Experienced O: QB Sean Ruisz, RB Quinn Durkin, WR Lucas Matykiewicz |
| 24 | Fenwick | Defending 6A champs; DL Jake Thies (Iowa) = force everywhere; QB Jimmy Bonakdar back from injury |
| 25 | Lyons | 10 starters back from playoff team; RB EJ Kuhlman; TE Owen Matela (Miami Ohio) |
Key Terms Cheat Sheet (ELI5 Edition)
| Term | Simple Definition |
|---|---|
| 5-Star Recruit | The "5-star Michelin rating" for high school players. Only ~30 exist per class nationally. |
| Power Four | The 4 richest, most competitive college conferences (Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, ACC). |
| Commit/Commitment | A player’s verbal promise to attend a college. Not binding until National Signing Day (December/February). |
| Transfer | A player switching high schools. Now very common—like free agency in pro sports! |
| State Classes (8A, 7A…) | Illinois groups schools by enrollment size so similarly sized schools compete for titles. |
| Two-Deep / Two-Way Player | A starter on both offense AND defense. Rare at elite level—shows extreme talent. |
| Redshirt | College term: sitting out a year to preserve 4 years of eligibility. Not applicable in HS! |
Summary: What You Need to Know
- We’re in a Golden Age — Chicago-area football has never been this talented top-to-bottom.
- Mount Carmel is the Beast — 4-peat champs with 19 college commits going for history.
- Private vs. Public — The top 10 features a mix; Bolingbrook (public) proves publics can hang.
- QB Play is Elite — Two Top-5 national QBs (Abrams, Nawrot) + several other D1 starters.
- Defense Wins Championships — Brother Rice’s DL, Batavia’s LBs, York’s front seven… defense travels.
- Transfers Are Changing the Game — St. Francis added 7; Nazareth got a QB; instant roster flips happen.
- Depth Matters — Teams like Oswego (15 returning starters) and Bolingbrook (18) have experience advantages.
- Eight Roads to Glory — With 8 state titles up for grabs, more teams have legitimate championship paths.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. What does "5-star" actually mean? Is it like a hotel rating?
Almost! Recruiting services (247Sports, Rivals, On3, ESPN) rate prospects 2–5 stars. 5-star = elite of the elite (top ~0.01%). Think: "This kid could start as a freshman at Alabama or Ohio State." Only ~30 per class nationally.
2. Why do private schools like Mount Carmel and Brother Rice dominate?
They don’t have attendance boundaries—they can recruit (within rules) from the entire metro area. They also often have better facilities, coaching budgets, and feeder programs. But public schools like Bolingbrook, Oswego, and Batavia are closing the gap!
3. How can a freshman (Sam Holcomb) already have a Michigan offer?
Colleges now identify and offer elite talent years early. Holcomb likely dominated 7th/8th grade camps, has "measurables" (height, arm talent), and projects as a future star. Offers aren’t binding—just "we’re watching you closely."
4. What’s the difference between 8A, 7A, 6A playoffs?
Purely school enrollment size. 8A = largest ~64 schools, 7A = next 64, etc. Each plays its own playoff bracket for its own state title. A 4A school never plays an 8A school in the playoffs.
5. Can a team outside the Super 25 win a state title?
Absolutely! The Super 25 is just the Chicago area preseason poll. Teams from Rockford, Peoria, Champaign, Metro East (St. Louis area), and the Quad Cities aren’t ranked here but compete in the same state brackets. Plus, preseason polls are famously wrong—teams rise and fall all season!
FINAL THOUGHT: Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering Illinois football, this is the year to pay attention. The talent density is unprecedented, the storylines are rich (five-peats, three-peats, transfers, freshman phenoms), and every Friday night feels like a mini-college game day. Grab that popcorn—the show starts now!