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Most college football coaches haven't completed their task of offering scholarships to the top-rated players in the class of 2009, next fall's seniors. But recruiters already are scouring the country, evaluating the leading prospects in the class of 2010, next fall's juniors.
It is a process that is never-ending. Coaches realize a fundamental rule in recruiting, something that Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest understood during the Civil War almost 150 years ago. "Get thar the firstest with the mostest," he said. Forrest might not have been eloguent but he was very effective. He didn't lose any battles.
Translated in modern terminology, coaches are aware that it is important to contact young prospects as quickly as possible because they always keep tabs on schools that show them a lot of love early. In many cases, the first school they hear from is the one they choose.
At the moment, two players stand out above the rest--6-6, 275-pound offensive tackle Chris Lombard of Fremd and 6-4, 230-pound defensive end Chance Carter of Loyola.
Veteran Fremd coach Mike Donatucci said Lombard is "as good a lineman as anyone I've seen" and recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CSTV rates him as the No. 1 player in his class in the Chicago area.
Carter could be the best athlete in the class.
Another outstanding athlete is 6-7, 228-pound wide receiver C.J. Fedorowicz of Johnsburg, who caught 76 passes for 1,046 yards and 22 touchdowns last year.
Quarterbacks to watch are Chandler Whitmer of Downers Grove South, who passed for 1,271 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, John Whitelaw of Hinsdale Central, Miles Osei of Prospect and Billy VandeMerkt of Riverside-Brookfield.
Best linemen are John Thibideau (6-5, 265) and Zach Fulton (6-5, 275) of Homewood-Flossmoor, Frank Boenzi (6-3, 285) of Geneva, Shawn Afryl (6-4, 295) of Niles West, Kevin Schlitter (6-5, 245) of Maine South, Matt Mautone (6-3, 285) of St. Charles North, Laken Tomlinson (6-6, 280) of Lane Tech, Bergeau Saintil (6-2, 265) of Niles North, Austin Teitsma (6-2, 210) of Glenbard South, Danny Kiebler (6-3, 225) of Leyden and Joey Riddle (6-4, 220) of Joliet.
The list of running backs includes Cameron Gillespie of Round Lake, Julian Banuelos of Wheaton Warrenville South, Greg Kennedy of Warren, Darnell Swanigan of Proviso East and LaSteven McKinney of Nazareth.
Receivers? Dan Hohenstein of Wheaton Warrenville South, Corey Cooper of Proviso East, Daron Brown of Morgan Park, Rodney Lloyd of Fenger and Peter Houlihan of Providence.
And what about the class of 2011? Next fall's sophomores?
Victor Nelson, a 6-7, 282-pound offensive tackle at Maine South, could emerge as the best prospect the Park Ridge school has produced since All-Pro lineman Dave Butz in 1968.
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Comments
What about Darrell Shepard of Evasnton running back Class of2010. I know his team wasn't that good last year. But Darrell was a 1000 yard runner for a 2-7 team. Very talented, can run between the tackles and has good speed also. I think he is about 6'0 220 pounds I am not quite sure of his size. I do know he is a big running back.
Posted by: Tim from Evanston | April 21, 2008 08:46 AM
Aaron Rhoads WR from Casey Il. 1200 yds rec 70 catches and 14 tds for a final four team. Oh yeah almost forgot, only junior named first team All State on the IHSCA team. Has been contatced and visited Iowa State, Illinois,Alabama and Western Illinois.
Posted by: warrorfan | April 22, 2008 08:56 AM
Wait until you see Jamel Martin of the Bolingbrook Raiders ,known as tailback U.He will take your breath away when you see him run the ball this year .He is a sophmore at 190,6'0" with 4.5 speed. He blocks well ,has great hands and is a elusive runner with a second gear for the open field.He is bound to be one of highest recruited players of the 2010 class , if he continues to progress under the coaching of John Ivlow .Last yr he only touched the ball about 30 times , but he had 5 touchdowns and averaged 10 yds per carry , he was playing behind another great tailback Eric Smith who was recruited by Wisconsin.
Posted by: Bruce S. Martin | April 22, 2008 11:48 AM
Chance Carter of Loyola is a monster. He is an Evanston kid. Very nice kid. He is a very good basketball player but I think his future is in football as a DE or LB hybrid in certain defensive schemes. He is going to have to be double teamed or he will create havoc in the offensive backfield.
Posted by: Tim from Evanston | April 24, 2008 08:06 AM
What About RB Thaddeus Scott of Lane Tech?
Posted by: Ken | April 27, 2008 09:51 PM
Why is julian banuelos included in this? He has no varsity time and won't even start this year. He is a great back but not quite yet
Posted by: Jeremy | April 28, 2008 09:54 PM
Dominique Bell, Running Back, Morgan Park, Stonger and tougher than anyone else mentioned, if you were not convinced by his junior stats sharing the carries, wait til this fall.
Posted by: Bert M Conway | April 28, 2008 11:20 PM
Matt Perez, Maine South's junior running back next year will be better than any of the Sophomores mentioned here. The only peron capable of keeping him under 2,000 yards rushing as a junior is Charlie Bliss and his dinky little offense.
Posted by: Tom Green | May 5, 2008 08:51 AM
Christian Lombard of Fremd may not only be the top prospect in the state next year... but very well could be one of the top in the country... the vikings run game should be exceptional next year with D1 RB Mike Gyetvay running behind Lombard and crew
Posted by: Buckeye50 | May 16, 2008 10:22 AM