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The area’s top football players are separating themselves from the pack

We now have two-thirds of the IHSA football regular season in the books. Today let's revisit some key names who have emerged as Daily Herald-area player of the year candidates.

Fremd senior QB Johnny O'Brien (6-foot-3, 200 pounds)

The Vikings are off to an impressive 6-0 start, and O'Brien, committed to Northwestern, has thrown for 1,153 yards with 19 total touchdowns (16 passing, 3 rushing) and just two interceptions. O'Brien and the Vikings have a stiff challenge ahead for the remaining regular season (at Barrington, vs. Palatine, vs. Schaumburg), but O'Brien looks more and more like a player of the year candidate. His overall handle on the Vikings offense, his calm demeanor and high-level football IQ and accuracy are impressive.

Maine South junior QB Jameson Purcell (6-foot-3, 193 pounds)

Purcell, committed to Indiana, has been nothing but impressive this season. Purcell possesses a strong and very accurate arm with good touch and makes great decisions with the football. His ability to be equally effective inside or outside of the pocket has improved considerably from a season ago, and he's just simply a winner for the Class 8A-ranked Hawks (5-1).

Glenbard West sophomore WR/DB Bryce Ellens (5-foot 10, 160 pounds)

Ellens has very quickly developed into a highly valuable jack of all trades for the Hilltoppers. You will find Ellens playing running back, receiver, defensive back along with returning punts for Glenbard West. His overall speed, wiggle and explosiveness is hard to ignore. Look for the Hilltoppers to continue to get Ellens involved more and more as we approach the state playoffs.

St. Charles North senior WR/DB Keaton Reinke (6-foot-3, 205 pounds)

Yes non-quarterbacks can and will win player of the year awards from time to time, and I can easily make a case for Keaton Reinke. Reinke, committed to Northwestern, has impressive size, speed and just pretty much never leaves the field for the North Stars. Reinke has high-level hands and he's a high-level athlete with impressive physical tools. Reinke will draw multiple defenders as a receiver, then he will cover the opposing team's best receiver down in and down out.

Downers Grove North senior OL/DL Aiden Solecki (6-foot-5, 260 pounds)

Solecki, committed to Purdue, has been playing full time as a disruptive defensive end along with seeing more and more reps on the offensive line as the season has progressed. Solecki has an impressive combination of power, quickness and length (80-inch wingspan) and has been a thorn in the side of every opposing offense so far this season.

Montini Catholic junior QB Israel Abrams (6-foot-4, 190 pounds)

Abrams is looking to lead the Broncos to a second straight state title this season along with developing into one of the top quarterbacks in the nation from the Class of 2027. Abrams is coming off an impressive night, completing 22 of 33 passes for 568 yards and 5 touchdown in beating Carmel 55-54 Friday. Those numbers seem to becoming more and more common for Abrams this season. He can make plays with his arm or legs as well as anyone in the country.

Batavia junior QB Michael Vander Luitgaren (6-foot-2, 190 pounds)

Michael Vander Luitgaren has been on a serious roll since late October a year ago when he was asked to take over the reins of the Bulldogs offense in the playoffs. He's thrown for 1,296 yards and 14 touchdowns with just 2 interceptions in six games. Vander Luitgaren is a multisport athlete who is a very capable runner. He seems more and more comfortable using his legs to extend plays.

Prospect junior QB Jackson Cacini (6-foot-2, 195 pounds)

The Knights (5-1) have somewhat been quietly running the table this season and Cacini has been a huge part of the Prospect offensive attack. Cacini has good size (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) along with a strong and impressive arm talent plus he's also an very accurate passer so far this season for the Knights.

  Warren's Aaron Stewart (9) fights into the endzone for his first touchdown of the first half against Hersey in Arlington Heights on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com

Warren Township senior RB Aaron Stewart (5-foot-7, 175 pounds)

Stewart, committed to Illinois for both football and wrestling, has rushed for 1,709 yards and 28 touchdowns for the Blue Devils. Stewart is truly a combination of speed and strength/power and uses those attributes as well as any back I've seen over the last 30-plus years. Look for the Blue Devils to lean heavily on Stewart the remainder of the season.

More player of the year candidates to watch

Carmel Catholic 2027 QB Trae Taylor (Nebraska)

Hersey 2027 QB Jake Nawrot

York 2026 RB Henry Duda

St. Francis 2026 Brock Phillips

Wauconda 2026 FB/LB Jackson Rudolph

Hinsdale Central 2026 QB/DB Riley Contreras

Antioch 2028 RB Logan Lennon

Glenbard West's Bryce Ellens runs the ball for a gain against Batavia on Friday, Aug.29,2025 in Batavia.