‘28 IL DE Darieon Prescott (Offer)

[Dale]

 

[Dale]

 

[Dale]

 

[NDPhilly]

Feels like the talent coming out of Chicagoland has gotten better and better the last few cycles

 

[FU BK]

Too bad we're poors and have no money

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Feels like the talent coming out of Chicagoland has gotten better and better the last few cycles

It is actually statewide, and for a reason. Two things at play here. First, we're out of the Covid woods now that it is 2026 and that much further removed from that 2020-2021 time when the world was upside down. Participation numbers have gone back up again.

Second, the Bielema effect. Bielema came in 2021 as well. What he has attempted to do, both in public and behind the curtain, is work at the high school level to improve player development around the state. He has made in state networking about high school coaches and associations a priority since day one. Trying to get participation numbers up from high school on down and work on skill development.

It's a work in progress, but Bielema really has been good for HS football in Illinois. Mt. Carmel and East St. Louis will always have the ballers, but the rising tide has lifted a lot of other boats, too.