‘Edgy’ Tim: Spring showcases open opportunities for prep football players

In a world where drawing a college scholarship in football — or even just adding a roster spot opportunity — has never been tougher, Illinois high school football coaches are trying to help, with approval from the IHSA.

Two years ago, Naperville North head coach Sean Drendel and Glenbard South’s Ryan Crissey came up with an idea of holding an outdoor shared workout for players from roughly a dozen schools held in front of various college coaches. Naperville North hosted the morning session while Glenbard South hosted an afternoon session. Overall it was a great success.

One participant in particular in the inaugural showcase went from unknown to one of the most sought-after names in the nation. Former St. Francis/South Elgin tight end Gavin Mueller had zero football scholarship offers. Mueller had a very strong showing and is now on the University of Miami Hurricanes roster.

After this showcase event, Mueller saw his recruiting stock surge and landed Power 4 offers from across the country.

Flash forward to this spring and the Illinois High School Coaches Spring Showcase events are now underway. The first two events held last week in Marion and Collinsville hosted over 300 high school football players who were evaluated by dozen of colleges from multiple levels.

Similar showcases will be held this week in Rochester, Bloomington, Moline and Rockford before moving to Chicagoland for two weeks at various locations. The Daily Herald coverage area will include host schools St. Charles North, West Chicago, Hinsdale Central, Naperville North and St. Viator.

These events offer several advantages and benefits, especially in an era where the best part of these showcase events is the price tag — free to all players.

It’s important to note these events are fully sanctioned by the IHSA. According to Drendel, “The IHSA and Sam Knox have been just awesome to work with and they have been very supportive of these events … they really are trying hard to truly help student athletes and their families.”

Traditionally, high school football players in search of college opportunities need to attend camps in the spring and summer to be evaluated in person by college coaches. Before these showcase events, college coaches would need to travel from high school to high school and would be limited in how many players they could see and evaluate.

Now? College coaches get to see multiple players (high schools are limited to 20 players apiece) in one spot as they compete with and against athletes from various schools.

Opportunities in the age of the transfer portal have never been harder to obtain. High school recruiting has been greatly impacted with fewer offers. Allowing these events gives more football players from across Illinois the chance to be seen and potentially earn more recruiting attention, and hopefully eventual offers.

I'm truly excited to get out and cover some of these events this spring.